Chirripo National Park: the tallest mountain in Costa Rica
Area | 125,600 acres |
Location | San Jose, Limon and Cartago Provinces (9.48º N, 83.48º W) |
Max. Elevation | 12,532' |
Precipitation | up to 150 inches |
Date of Creation | August, 1975 |
The Chirripo National Park protects forested areas in the southern Talamanca Mountain region, south of Tapanti National Park. Mount Chirripo is the highest peak in Costa Rica.
There is more than 8,000' of elevation change from the San Gerardo Station to the peak at Mount Chirripo, Costa Rica. Vegetation and climate conditions change with elevation, and temperatures can be below freezing at certain times of the year.
No technical climbing or mountaineering expertise is necessary to reach the peaks in the Park, but the steep trek is approximately a 30 mile round trip that is typically planned for 3 days.
The mountains in this area are covered in thick primary cloud and rainforest to about 9,000' elevation. From there, the Paramo, or wet desert is the primary ground cover.
The Ranger Station is in San Gerardo de Rivas, and is open for visitor attention from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm.
