Chirripo National Park

Parque Nacional Chirripó (Chirripó National Park) is a national park in South Pacific Costa Rica accessible by road through the locality of San Isidro de El General in Pérez Zeledón canton.

Chirripó National Park is named after Cerro Chirripó (Chirripó Peak), of the Talamanca Mountain Range, which is also Costa Rica's highest mountain at an altitude of 3,820 m (12,538 ft).

With a particular climate that has only two seasons, a dry one approximately from December to April and a wet one from May to November, this national park is among the most exciting ones for locals and tourists alike. This is based on the fact that in order to get to the summit (Cerro Chirripó) the visitor has to walk along a 14.5-km uphill trail from the town of San Gerardo de Rivas to the park ranger's refuge in the Los Crestones sector and save energies for the next 5-km walk from there to the peak. Considering that Chirripó is the 38th most prominent peak in the world, this journey is a once in lifetime experience.

It is also a great way to explore the mountainous climate, fauna, and flora of this Central American nation.

During the dry season the upper regions are susceptible to fires. The latest recorded events have occurred in 1953, 1958, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1992, and 2012. The event of 1992 affected over 20 km² (5000 acre) of vegetation and forced the administration to close the park for four months.

Augustin Blessing was the first white person who climbed the Chirripo Mountain back in 1904.

The national park contains the highest peak of Costa Rica. This makes it the 38th highest peak in the world, and the highest in the range between Guatemala and the Andes. Chirripo National Park boast great biodiversity, including Talamanca forest and Costa Rican Páramo forest.

In lower altitudes you find a dwarf cloudforest habitat. From 3400 m up the vegetation changes and to higher altitudes plants and shrubs as opposed to forest. The Resplendent Quetzal may be seen in the lower cloudforest regions. Monkeys, toucanets, trogons and several other species may be found in the lower altitudes.

From January till April dry. May - December very humid. On the top it could be very cold (down to -9 C°).

Access is by road through San Isidro de El General, about 45 minutes from the trailhead village of San Gerardo de Rivas (1,520 m), where the trail begins. Regular buses and taxis connect San Isidro and San Gerardo; several cabinas and small hotels in San Gerardo offer overnight accommodation the night before your hike (see Sleep below).

Hikers must check in in person the day before their permit date (see Fees and permits) and start the climb by around 4AM; you are not allowed to begin the hike after midday.

Entry is limited to roughly 50–60 hikers per day and reservations sell out weeks or months ahead, especially in dry season (December–April). Two separate bookings are required:

1. Park entry with SINAC (the government park service) — create an account at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr (your password arrives by email; if it doesn't arrive within a day, write to reservaciones.sinac@sinac.go.cr), then select Parque Nacional Chirripó, your dates and the San Gerardo sector. Maximum 4 entries per transaction. Pay online by card.
2. Bunk and meals at Crestones Base Camp with Consorcio Chirripó, the community concessionaire — once your SINAC entry is confirmed, book at chirripo.org (WhatsApp +506 8549-8022, tel. +506 2742-5097 / +506 2742-5200). They contact you after your SINAC booking; complete payment within about 5 days or the whole reservation is cancelled.
3. The day before your hike, check in in person at both the SINAC and Consorcio offices in San Gerardo de Rivas (daily 8AM–12PM & 1–4:30PM) before 4PM, with the passport or cédula used for the reservation.

Official rates (2026), paid in advance online — confirm current prices before booking:

• Park entry, per day, foreign visitors: US$21 (Costa Ricans/residents ₡4,520)
• Crestones Base Camp bunk, per night per person: ₡20,847
• Basic meal package per night (breakfast, lunch, dinner): ₡22,166
• Porter/horse luggage service, per kg: ₡2,461

To change your date, email reservaciones.chirripo@sinac.go.cr; changes to who's in your group are handled by the Consorcio.

Following the main trail will take up to 12 hours in poor conditions for slow hikers. Fit or experienced hikers may complete it in 6-7 hours. Follow the sign that says "Trail to Chirripo" and begin the La Cuesta del Agua uphill stretch for 2 hours. The climb crests at Monte Sin Fe. Finish the trek for the day at the Chirripo Shelter and Base Camp, 6 km below the summit. Rise the next day before dawn and trek the rest of the way to the summit. It will take about 1-2 hours to do the ascent.

La Amistad International Park Cloudforest, Costa Rica Paramo, Monte Sin Fe, Rabbit Valley, Cerro Terbi. You will get a vista of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean from the top on a clear day.

Hike up the highest mountain of Costa Rica.

Meals at Crestones Base Camp can be booked as a paid package (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with Consorcio Chirripó — arrange it together with your bunk (see Fees and permits). Otherwise this hike runs on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis: bring your own snacks and enough water, as there's nowhere to buy food along the trail.

The Chirripo Shelter/Base Camp offers basic bunk accommodations in a shared facility. Registering in advance with the park service in San Gerardo de Rivas will ensure that there is adequate space for the night you intend to stay. Be sure to bring sleeping bags with you, or rent one at the lodge.

Most hikers spend the night before (and often after) the climb in San Gerardo de Rivas, the trailhead village, which has a range of small hotels and cabins within a few km of the ranger station:

• Jardines Secretos – cabins built around five natural springs, with gardens and a restaurant.
• El Pelícano Hotel de Montaña – family-run, 250m south of the MINAE station; rooms, cabins, pool and trails.
• Río Chirripó Lodge & Retreat – boutique riverside lodge in Canaán de Rivas with a yoga platform and spa.
• Hotel Roca Dura – in Herradura, across from the sports field; several rooms built directly into the rock.
• Reserva Talamanca – private reserve with cabins, over 20 km of trails and ten waterfalls.
• Hotel Uran – simple mountain hotel closest to the trailhead.
• Casa Colibrí Chirripó – creekside budget lodge for hikers and birders, 1 km from the park entrance.
• Chirripó Art Hotel – riverfront casitas near the park entrance.
• Hotel de Montaña El Descanso – family-run, known locally for its restaurant; free shuttle to the trailhead.

At an altitude of roughly 3,450 m (11,320 ft) there is a lodge where you can stay overnight and then hike up to the peak in the morning.

Tent camping is prohibited.

It is best not to hike alone, and recommended to go with a local guide. The weather conditions can create an extreme (and cold) environment on the top of the peak and having a knowledgeable guide can be an asset in an emergency. Adventure Life^{[dead link]} offers guided 3- and 4-day packages with accommodations at Pelicano Lodge before and after the summit.

• PerezZeledon.com – Cerro Chirripó guide – independent visitor guide to the climb, with the reservation process, packing list and route info

• San Isidro de El General - Walk down to the exit and take the bus back.
• Tapantí National Park
• Los Quetzales National Park