What comes to mind when you think of Central America and Costa Rica? Perpetually hot weather, steaming jungles full of lush vegetation, beaches, etc.? Did high mountains, glacier carved peaks, alpine valleys, glacier carved pinnacles made of solid granite, excellent opportunities for rock climbing, and year round freezing weather happen to come to mind? That's just what Cordillera Talamanca and the mountains around Chirripo Grande have to offer

The lower slopes of the mountains are rich in wildlife and are covered with rainforest. The highest slopes are covered with what is known as the Paramo and are similar in vegetation and appearance to the Paramo in the Andes.

Chirripo Grande is by far the most popular climb in the Cordillera Talamanca, because it is the highest peak in Costa Rica. It is one of the most popular summits in the country.

The Cordillera Talamanca is very unusual for Central America because it consist of folded, rather than volcanic mountains. These mountains are made of various metamorphic and granite rocks.

Dawn from the top of Cerro Chirripo.

Getting There

The first destination will be the large town of San Isidro de el General located to the west of the peak and national park. To reach San Isidro from San Jose, take one of the hourly (seven days a week) buses to San Isidro from the bus terminal at Calle Central and Avenida 22. It's a three hour ride.

From San Isidro, you must take another bus to San Gerardo de Rivas. The bus takes two hours and leaves at 5 AM and 1 PM each day. Get off the bus at the Parque National Chirripo ranger station.

View of the summit of Chirripo.

Routes Overview

Although a nice trail system exist, cross country travel on the lower slopes without a trail is difficult or impossible. The thick rainforest makes off-trail exploration impractical in most of the mountain range. It is better to stick to the trails.

There are quite a few ways to reach this area, including the trail/route over Cerro Uran, but by far most people begin in San Gerardo de Rivas. This is the only route I am familiar with, so if you are familiar with other routes, please post them.

Please see the detailed Route Page. It has much for detail than the breif overview below.

The first day is a long one. It is recommended that you arrange permits the day before in order to get an early start the next morning. At the very latest, a 6 AM (earlier is better) start is recommended. It's about 2 kms from the ranger station to the trailhead.

The first day to the Base Crestones (hut) is 14.5 kms with 2200 meters elevation gain and on a well marked trail.

After spending the night in the hut, follow the trail posted for Cerro Chirripo which is well marked at junctions. There are other peaks in the area to climb as well so it is recommended that you spend another night at the Base Crestones in order to climb some of the other peaks on day two. See some of the other mountain pages for more details:

Cerro Ventisqueros

Crestones/Cerro Terbi

On the same hike you can also head to other seldom visited peaks such as Cerro Uran, Loma Larga, or Cerro Laguna or even hike across Cerro Uran to Rio Blanco and easily spend five days doing so.

See the Route Page for the Fila Uran route. The information is brief, but you must take a guide anyway so detailed route information is not needed.

Chirripo as viewed from saddle near Lago Chirripo.

Red Tape

You must get a permit from the ranger station to reserve the hut at the Base Crestones and also to enter the park. Although the hut is seldom booked to capacity, it is on occasion (usually around Easter), so you can make advanced reservations. To do this, contact the park service office in San Isidro at (Int+) 771-5116 or fax at (Int+) 771-4836. The park doesn't have an email address, so reservations must be made by phone or fax. At most times of the year however, you can simply get a walk in permit.

Park fees are $15 for the first day and $10 for each additional day plus $10 for each night in the hut.

When To Climb

]December through March is the driest season, and the best time to climb the peak. February and March are the driest month of all and have the best weather, but December and January are greener since those months are just after the rainy season. The national park is closed to all travel in May.

The lower part of the trail can be very hot. The summit area can be very cold and wet year round. Freezing temperatures are common at the Base Crestones hut. That location holds the record lowest temperature ever recorded in Central America at -9C (16F)!

Chillin' on the summit of Chirripo in February.

Camping

No camping is allowed along the standard route. Everyone must stay at the Base Crestones hut at 3393 meters. The hut sleeps 60 and is comfortable, but is not heated (no fires are allowed in the park), so it is usually cold in the mornings and evenings. Blankets can be rented for $1 per night, but everyone should take a sleeping bag. There's no need to carry a stove as they can be rented for $1 a day (additional fuel canisters are $2, the first one is free). Showers are available, but are freezing cold!

Camping is allowed Cerro Uran on the Fila Uran route.

Lago Chirripo, the highest lake in Cental America as viewed from near Chirripo Summit. No camping is allowed in the area.

Mountain Conditions

There are no links available at this time. You may contact the park service office in San Isidro by phone at (Int+) 771-5116 or fax at (Int+) 771-4836.

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