The 195-square-mile Chirripó National Park is located approximately 13 miles northeast of San Isidro and covers a portion of three Costa Rican provinces: San José, Cartago, and Limón. Located within its borders is the 12,533-foot Mount Chirripó, also known as Cerro Chirripó, which is the country's highest mountain. As stated on Peaklist, the mountain is the 38th most prominent peak in the world and it sits in a national park that contains five different ecosystems based on the Holdridge Life Zone classification system: lowland tropical wet forest (rain forest), pre-montane tropical wet forest, lower montane wet forest, montane wet forest (cloud forest), and páramo, which is the Spanish word for an ecosystem located in the higher elevations between the upper forest line and the snow level. In the case of Mount Chirripó, the páramo is the area higher than 9,800 feet.
According to UNESCO, the Talamanca Mountain Range is the highest and wildest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America. It was formed by the folding of the Earth's crust approximately 18 million years ago. Tropical rain forests have covered most of the area since the last glacial period that ended 25,000 years ago. After the last glaciers retreated, they left many lakes (approximately 30 during the wet season) and u-shaped valleys now known as Valle de los Conejos (Valley of the Rabbits) and the Valle de los Lagos (Valley of the Lakes).
Compared to the mountain's long history, recorded exploration by humans are still relatively in its infancy. Central America.com states that the mountain's páramo region was once believed to be sacred by the indigenous people and left unexplored. But in 1904, a priest and missionary named Agustín Blessing, was the first to summit the sacred peak. Today, thousands of climbers eager to stand on the country's highest point makes the long trek to the top where views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea can be seen.
Travel and Preparations to the Chirripó National Park in Costa Rica
The park is conveniently located near the Pan-American Highway, which makes traveling relatively easy whether by car or bus. Express bus transportation departs daily from the Terminal Coca-Cola in San José every hour from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. The journey takes approximately three hours and requires a transfer to the San Gerardo de Rivas bus in the city of San Isidro. The bus to San Gerardo de Rivas departs from the parque central in San Isidro and makes a stop at the trailhead. For those choosing to drive, the park is approximately 11 miles north of San Isidro on the main road toward San Gerardo de Rivas.
Due to the fact that it is one of Costa Rica's more natural parks, the park itself is accessible mostly by foot because it was left relatively untouched by development and exploitation. In addition to the climb, there are also miles of trails that journey through all of the ecological zones. As stated on Central America.com, "The diversity as you climb from the pastures at 3,300 feet near San Gerardo de Rivas, to the páramo ecosystem near the peak keeps small armies of biologist fascinated for their entire careers." This diversity varies greatly depending on the altitude and incline and all climbers should be aware of the following facts provided by Central America.com before attempting the journey:
- Best Climbing Period: The dry season from mid-December to mid-April
- Temperature: Average lower-region range is between 64 to 79 degrees F. The average highland range is between 32 to 54 degrees F. The record low is 14 degrees F.
- Winds: Cold winds can exceed 50 miles-per-hour with the wind chill dropping temperatures dramatically. At the summit, record wind speeds have reached 100 mph.
- Hydration: It is important to stay hydrated especially due to the rapid rate of dehydration from the combination of humidity, the physical exertion of the climb and the intensity of the sun especially during the mid-day hours.
- Reservations: Before climbing Mount Chirripó, all visitors are required to make a reservation and check in with the national park office in San Gerardo de Rivas. This is important for both safety (in case a climber becomes lost) and for reserving a stay at one of the refugios, (lodges), which can accommodate up to 50 people.
Climbing Mount Chirripó in Costa Rica
Unlike other relatively easy climbs of the well-known volcanoes in the country, this climb to the summit of Mount Chirripó is demanding due to its length. The trail is approximately 11 miles in length and climbs about 10,000 feet from the park entrance in San Gerardo de Rivas. Experienced backpackers and climbers can complete the round-trip journey comfortably in two days but most visitors allow more time to explore the lakes and the páramo region.
There are several trails to the summit of Mount Chirripó. The most popular one is the trail from San Gerardo de Rivas, mostly because it is where the national park office is located. Other trails depart from the nearby towns of Herradura or Canaán. Plenty of information and maps of all of the trails are available at the national park office.
Conveniently, the park provides three different refugios on the way to the summit for climbers to either rest in or use as emergency shelter:
- Llano Bonito: Located approximately half way up the mountain, this is a small open-sided, tin-roof lodge that many use as only as temporary escape from the sun and to gather energy for the rest of the climb.
- Summit Lodge: Located approximately a quarter-mile from the summit, this is the main refugio with bunk beds for up to 50 climbers. It also includes a tin roof with rock walls built in 2000. Reservations are highly suggested due to the limited number of beds. It is also important to remember that all visitors must bring their own sleeping gear and food because the lodging provides only a bed, shower and a communal kitchen.
- Valle de las Morenas Refugio: A smaller refugio located north of Mount Chirripó
At the summit lodge, there are several popular trails to the nearby attractions:
- Los Crestones: a rock formation with trails leading to and away from them.
- Summit Trail: The trail to the summit that travels through both the Valle de los Conejos and the Valle de los Lagos.
- Neighboring Peaks: Several trails travel to the summits of several neighboring peaks, which are well worth seeing once at the top.
Located in a beautiful mountain range southeast of San José, Mount Chirripó is not only Costa Rica's highest peak, but the second highest in all of Central America. For experienced climbers and seasoned backpackers, the strenuous climb is well worth the effort and it includes views of the lower rain forests, the higher cloud forests as well as a summit that rewards climbers with a vista of lakes and valleys created by ancient glaciers.
James Nalley - James Nalley is a full-time travel journalist whose work has been published in more than 100 magazines, journals and websites.
Join the Conversation