General Information
With its 193,727 ha, of which 24,267 correspond to the Pacífico-La Amistad Conservation Area,. Due to its ample altittudinal range, strong climatic changes and variety of soils, which conciliates diverse ecosystems and a high endemism, Tapantí is considered the most biological diverse protected wildlife area in the country.
Location
The park is located on the Talamanca Mountain Range on the south of Costa Rica, up to the border with Panama; it forms part of La Amistad Pacífico Conservation Area.
Access
Tres Colinas Sector: from Buenos Aires 2 hours following the route to San Vito; detour in Paso Real, and six Km. from here, take the detour until you reach the community of Potrero Grande, from where you take the road to Tres Colinas, with a distance of 23 Km. This trip should be done only on all-terrain vehicles; the road is paved. To Santa María de Pittier the hike is done by the South Inter American Road until reaching Paso Real, where you must make a detour until reaching San Vito and from there continue 45 km to the Pittier Biological Station. On the final part of the route you need an all-terrain vehicle.
Biolley Sector from Pérez Zeledón 3 hours, making a detour on kilometer 221 of the South Inter American Road, in the place known as Paso Real; from there 15 km on the road to San Vito, until you reach Las Tablas de Potrero Grande, point where you make another detour and continue 20 km by paved road. This route can be traveled all year long on an all-terrain vehicle and in the dry season with any car and minibus. Starting on the community of Altamira, you can only access on all-terrain vehicles due to the characteristics of the road to the Biological Station Altamira.
Santa María Sector, South Inter American road to Buenos Aires; from there until Santa Marta de Brunka located on km 184. Then take a detour north 15 km on paved road until you reach Santa María. All-terrain vehicles all year long.
Services and Facilities
Trails
- Cerro Kamúk:
An excellent physical condition is required since the time hiked is of 6 days with cold and rainy climate. You count with local guides, porters and camping areas. The community of Tres Colinas offers cabins to stay overnight.
- Cerro Pittier:
Natural trails for adventure hiking and observing the fauna. Camping areas. Time hiked 4 hours. Facilities for investigation.
- Sabanas Esperanza, Valle del Silencio, Gigantes del Bosque:
Local guides to access Sabanas Esperanza and Valle del Silencio (required). Sabanas Esperanza Trail: 4 km. Hike to Valle del Silencio requires good physical condition, 8 hours- hike: 13 Km. There is a rustic shelter with living room, kitchen area, bathroom and beds. Bird watching. Facilities for investigation. Los Gigantes del Bosque Trail located on the Altamira Biological Station, PILA administrative headquarters.
- Cerro Cabécar:
Local guide services required. Peak at 3000 mts. of elevation. Hike from Santa María 5 hr. The Chamber of Tourism in the community has a very rustic shelter.
Main Attractions
Altamira Sector
This site has a small amphitheater, two camping areas with capacity for 30 persons, roofed lunch area, a flora and fauna observatory, located in the primary forest, and a look-out located on the limits of the park, where you can appreciate the panoramic view of the counties of Coto Brus and Buenos Aires.
It also contains different trails where we may highlight those called Valley of Silence (with an approximate duration of six hours and a distance of 20 km ), Altamira-Sabanas Esperanzas, the journey is made by walking or riding a horse and it includes archaeological features of what was an indigenous cemetery and the Gigantes del Bosque trail (forest giants), with a 3 km longitude, starting at 1.300 m.a..s.l. on its lower part, to climb to 1.500 m.a.s.l., a journey lasting approximately three hours.
