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Cerro Chirripó at Chirripo National Park

The majestic Cerro Chirripó is the highest point of Costa Rica, the second highest in Central America (after the Tajumulco Volcano with 4220 meters high, in Guatemala) and number 38 of the highest topographic prominence in the world! and one of the 1500 highest in the world.

It is the main attraction of Chirripó National Park. For those who dare to visit this park, Cerro Chirripó is the final destination of many hikers and a must for every Costa Rican. Its summit is 3820 meters above sea level, about 12530 feet, being the Chirripó the best known mountain in the Cordillera de Talamanca. Snow has not fallen on the peak in the last 100 years or so, according to the University of Costa Rica, but hail has been reported a few times.

Practically Cerro Chirripó is located in the border area of three national cantons, Talamanca, Pérez Zeledón and Turrialba, being the summit of the hill itself located in the province of Limón.

From the top of Chirripó, it is possible on clear days and with a lot of luck, to observe almost the entire country (about 3/4 parts) and see the two seas, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea which is one of the illusions of every hiker to climb the Chirripó to be able to admire the two oceans from its summit.

Climbing up to Cerro Chirripó is not easy, normally you do it in two days, the first day, an uphill hike to the Refugio Base Crestones, about 15 KM, about 6 to 7 hours maximum at a normal pace, the next day, you can walk an additional 5 km until you reach the base of the Cerro Chirripó, from there, an incredible vertical hike to the top awaits you, spectacular, especially in the early morning.

For the bravest, and who do not have so many days to visit the Chirripó Park, you can venture to climb to the top of the hill in one day, you expect about 20KM of ascent, and then another 20 back, a task certainly for the most resistant.

Many arrive at the top of Chirripó at dawn, in order to be able to observe a splendid sunrise above the clouds, waiting to observe the two oceans. From the top, you will be able to see many of the highest peaks of the Talamanca Mountain Range and the park, you will be able to see at a glance, Ventisqueros Hill, Terbi Hill, Uran Hill, Kamuk Hill, including the Poas, Barva and Irazu volcanoes, including the Cerro de la Muerte (Hill of Death). In addition, you will be able to see the Valley of the Moraine from the height, an image that will remain engraved in your memory without a doubt, as well as other mountains in Panama, including the Baru Volcano, all from this summit.

Climbing Chirripo can be an extraordinary experience, described by many as “beyond imagination” and for a few, almost mystical.

On your way to the top of Cerro Chirripó, from Base Crestones to Chirripó, you will reach a junction that ascends to Cerro Ventisqueros, beyond, you will reach the Valle de los Conejos, where you can rest and right there, the trail divides into three, one that leads to Laguna Ditkevi, another, a magnificent ascent to Cerro Terbi – Los Crestones, and the one that continues to Cerro Chirripó, when you reach its base, you will have another trail that descends to the Valley of the Moraines, splendorous lagoons of glacial origin.

Definitely, it is the favorite destination for hiking lovers in Costa Rica, and one of the things that every ticomust do before dying.

Map, GPS coordinates and satellite image of Cerro Chirripo in Limon, Talamanca

Province: Limón, Canton: Talamanca

Latitude: 9.48409 Longitude: -83.4808

  1. Retrieved from :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_peaks_by_prominence
  2. Retrieved from : https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerro_Chirrip%C3%B3