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The Chirripo National Park is a magnificent national park to visit. What makes this park so special is that it is home to the highest mountain in Costa Rica, the Cerro Chirripo, which stands a towering 3820 meters above sea level. Remote, wild and scenic, this park presents travelers with a wonderful opportunity to spend a quiet few days away from the more touristy regions of the country. The terrain here is simply breathtaking and offers some incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area and the neighboring La Amistad International Park.
Another unique aspect that makes the Chirripo National Park worth visiting is its constantly changing scenery. Glacier lakes can be found near Chirripo’s summit, while cloud forests, windswept paramos, fern groves and swamps dominate the rest of the park’s landscape. So far roughly 400 species of birds have been observed in this park, along with several fauna species including the tapir, puma, peccary, jaguar and spider monkey. An added attraction of this beautiful park is a remote section known as the Savannah of the Lions, where one can spot a large population of pumas roaming wild and free.
Located in the Talamanca Mountain Range, the Chirripo National Park lies north east of the town of San Isidro de General, with the park’s main entrance situated at San Gerardo de Rivas. Protecting around 50,150 hectares of land, this park also has the distinction of being among the largest national parks in Costa Rica. Much of the landscape here is unexplored, which means that you cannot trek here without a guide. And though no real technical climbing expertise is required to reach Cerro Chirripo’s summit, it is still a tough climb keeping in mind the unpredictable weather one encounters here.
The best time to visit the Chirripo National Park is from late December to April, when the weather is relatively dry and there is less rain. Many Ticos come hiking here on weekends and during the Easter season, so the park can get rather busy at these times. With only 60 visitors allowed inside the Chirripo National Park at a time, its best to get here early and wait your turn.
Since the weather here changes rapidly and without notice, it can get bitterly cold, so don’t forget to bring warm clothes including a hat and gloves. Rain gear is also essential. Basic amenities are available inside the park with drinking water on hand as well as public toilets and lodging.
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