The words magical and amazing are often used when describing Chirripo National Park. It features the highest point in Central America, Mount Chirripo, rising 12,530 feet above sea level (3,819 m). The park also protects three distinct ecosystems located in more than 120,000 acres (50,150 ha) of land on the northern flank of the Talamanca Mountain Range.
The highest portions of the mountains are generally covered by clouds filling the environment with humid mystique. It gets quite chilly on the top where temperatures drop to -5°C (20°F) and wind speed reaches 50 miles per hour (75 km/h). These conditions yield peculiar vegetation reminiscent of the South American Andes where oak trees and bushes abound.
Mount Chirripo
Pre-Columbian Indians believed that Mount Chirripo was sacred. Today it remains a sanctuary but of a different sort, providing a home to many endangered species like coyotes, jaguars, rabbits, frogs, quetzals, owls, eagles, puma, lions and many other peculiar inhabitants.
When visiting Chirripo you need to take your time in order to fully enjoy its magnificence. The hike to the summit covers a vertical distance of 7,500 feet (3,035 m) but the rugged and densely forested terrain will be a true test of endurance.
Tour operators offer slight variations, but in general the journey will take at least three days:
- Day 1: Drive about 3 hours to San Gerardo the Rivas, the starting point for most tours. You need to start hiking before sunrise the following morning so it's important that you find lodging and get plenty of rest.
- Day 2: Rise and shine as you begin the ascent to Mount Chirripo. The 10-mile (16 km) walk may take between 9 and 12 hours depending on pace and rest stops. As you explore the forest, ask your guide to point out the Aguacatillo trees, the preferred culinary treat of the emerald quetzal. You may arrange for horses to carry your luggage so you won't have to, a commodity you'll appreciate when climbing the steep Cuesta de Agua. Your goal on day one is to reach the Crestones ranger station, located 4 miles (6 km) from the top, where you will set up camp for the night.
- Day 3: Lakes, forests and moorland surround you near the summit. The final stretch takes 3 hours and leads you to the most extravagant view of the Caribbean Sea, Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes, the Talamanca Mountian Range, and the Pacific Ocean. The glance from above the clouds gives you a better understanding of why Costa Rica is an ecological paradise. After this breathtaking moment and depending on your tour, you may head back down to the Crestones ranger station or to San Gerardo de Rivas where transportation is arranged.
- Day 4: From the overnight camping site, you can follow the same trails down the mountain and back to the starting point with the satisfaction of a completed journey.
Geographical Division 
