Who has not dreamed of going to the Chirripó National Park to see Costa Rica in all its splendor from the highest point in the country?

The Chirripó is the highest peak of the Talamanca Mountain Range with an altitude of 3820 meters (12530 ft) and also is one of the highest mountains in the southern part of Central America. Small valleys of glacial origin that were carved by the action and the movement of the ice 25,000 to 30,000 years ago dominate the sights. It was declared National Park on the 19th of August of 1975, and covers a total of 43700 hectares.

How to get there?If you have a vehicle take the Pan-American Highway south to San Isidro del General. Once there you must drive through Rivas, Chimorol until arriving at San Gerardo de Rivas. This it is the last town before the entrance to the Chirripó National Park. You also can travel to San Gerardo de Rivas by bus. In San Gerardo you find the Park Ranger’s office where you will have to register and present the copy of your reservation. Due to space limitations at the Refuge, reservations will have to be made at least 3 months in advance. For reservations you can call (506) 771-3155.

Most of the people stay in one of the small hotels or cabins that San Gerardo offers as departure point to this great adventure. There also you also can hire the services of “porteadores” (bag carriers) in case that you do not want to carry your equipment to the top. There is no restaurant service. Gas kitchens can be rented at the Refuge. There is a properly equipped dining room with the necessary kitchen utensils. There are solar power panels that are used to light the Refuge for only 2 hours at night. In case you were wondering about warm water the answer is very simple: there is no hot water.
The ascent to the Chirripó Refuge is very tedious and takes around 8 to 12 hours. It is 16 kilometers with an altitude difference of 2400. Take as much water with you as possible. While on route you will pass through places with very colorful and appropriate names such as “The Thermometer, “The Hill without Water”, “Mount without Faith” and “The Hill of the Repent” wich is a test by itself.

Once at the refuge quarters are assigned and if you are cold you can rent blankets and sleeping bags. It is recommended to take a shower just after arriving as it will make you feel like new. Some of the places to visit there being are. The Chirripó Hill, Ventisqueros, Ditkevi Lagoon, Valley of Moraines, Terbi Hill and the Crestones.

It is impossible to describe what you are going to see and feel there. It is an incredible, unique and enchanted place that you will have to discover by yourself.