What comes to mind when you think of Central America? 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 what the Crestones and Cerro Terbi have to offer.

Cerro Terbi is just a long and steep walk up, but the Crestones have only 5th class routes. Cerro Terbi is the 5th highest peak in Costa Rica. The Crestones aren't really a separate peak(s) from Cerro Terbi; they are more of an out-cropping on a ridge of Cerro Terbi.

The lower areas of this mountain area are covered with lush, wildlife-rich rainforest. The upper slopes consist of Paramo, similar to the vegetation found on the Paramo in the Andes of South America.

This is a fascinating area with lots to see. Cerro Chirripo and the Crestones are well known, but most other peaks tend to be largely ignored.

Crestones as viewed from above Base Crestones.

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 Parue National Chirripo ranger station.

Cerro Terbi as viewed from summit of Chirripo.

Routes Overview

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. From the ranger station, follow the signs to the trailhead. The trail immediately begins its steep climb to the "Water Ridge". After 7.5 kms of steep walking, you will reach "Water Ridge" which is a picnic area and a water tap. Stock up with water here, as there is no more available until you are near the Base Crestones. Continue up the steep trail. The three uphill sections have names. The first is Cuesta de Agua (Water Hill), the second Monte Sin Fe (mountain of no hope), and the third is La Cuesta de los Arrepentidos (repentance hill). The first and last hills are the longest and steepest. At the top of Monte Sin Fe, you reach the Paramo. From here its one long steep section to the Base Crestones Hut. After spending the night in the hut, follow the trail that crosses the Rio Talari just east of the Base Crestones hut. Just after the stream crossing, you will reach another trail junction. Take the left trail posted for Crestones. The trail climbs steeply up to the base of the Cestones after 1.8 kms from the hut. The Crestones are a technical rock climb by all routes. Once the base of the Crestones is reached, the trail continues climbing steeply to Cerro Terebi. Cerro Terbi is 2.3 kms from the Base Crestones hut.

There is an alternate and less used route down from Cerro Terbi. Follow the trail along the ridge north. After a short ways, the trail drops very steeply to the west and follows a very steep path down to the Valle de los Conejos (Rabbit Valley). At Rabbit Valley, there is a four way junction. In addition to the trail you're on, there is a trail that heads straight (north) to Cerro Chirripo, left (west) to the Base Crestones hut, and east (right) to Laguna Ditkebi.

Below the timberline, the trail passes through lush rainforest.

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. In May, the park is closed to all travel.

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)!

Terbi is the peak on the right, as seen from the approach trail to Chirripo.

Base Crestones Hut

No camping is allowed along the 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!

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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