National park · Costa Rica
Chirripo National ParkParque Nacional Chirripó
Visit Chirripo National Park: take the 14.5 km (9 mi) trail from San Gerardo de Rivas to Los Crestones and summit Cerro Chirripó before noon; start at 4 AM, bring a permit and warm gear.Visit Chirripo National Park: take the 9 mi (14.5 km) trail from San Gerardo de Rivas to Los Crestones and summit Cerro Chirripó before noon; start at 4 AM, bring a permit and warm gear.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- South Pacific Costa Rica ↗Corcovado National Park entry needs a permit bought in advance through the official SINAC system; daily numbers are capped and ranger stations check names.
- South Pacific Costa Rica ↗Carry colones for sodas, parking and boat captains; cards work at hotels and tour operators.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- approximate; official park size not listed in sources (check).
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Chirripo National Park protects the highest mountain in Costa Rica, offering a two‑day alpine trek through dwarf cloud forest and páramo to the summit of Cerro Chirripó, with regulated permits and shelter facilities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteCosta Rica national park managed by SINAC.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 1975
approximate; official park size not listed in sources (check).
Why go
- Hike to Costa Rica’s highest point, Cerro Chirripó (3,820 m).
- Experience cloud‑forest and páramo ecosystems along a long alpine trail.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler nights.
- FebDry, stable weather.
- MarDry, good visibility.
- AprEnd of dry season, clear skies.
- MayRain begins, trails get muddy.
- JunWet, higher risk of landslides.
- JulWet, cloud cover reduces summit views.
- AugWet, frequent storms.
- SepWet, but occasional dry spells.
- OctTransition to dry, still wet at altitude.
- NovDry season returns, cooler temps.
- DecDry, clear, good summit views.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resplendent quetzalAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Howler monkeys, toucanets, trogonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| San Gerardo de Rivas trailhead | Visitor entrance, ranger station, accommodation options. | Open with permit. |
| Los Crestones refuge | Mountain shelter and base camp for summit push. | Permit holders only. |
| Summit area | Cerro Chirripó peak, panoramic views of Pacific and Atlantic. | Open; no facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry permit | CRC 15,000 | person | Paid at the ranger station in San Gerardo de Rivas (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Hiking permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- Must be obtained the day before hiking; no walk‑ins on summit day.
- Camping
- Tent camping prohibited; only use the Los Crestones shelter.
- Guides
- Recommended for safety; required for groups larger than 5.
Where to stay
Near the park
San Gerardo de Rivas lodges
Small hotels, cabins and hostels; book ahead for summit night.
In the park
Los Crestones shelter
Basic bunk accommodation; bring sleeping bag.
Safety
Cold and sudden storms at summit high
Altitude sickness medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead reachable by car or bus; road is paved.
- Summit trail is steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack‑in‑pack‑out waste; no open fires.
- Support local lodges and guides.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Chirripo National Park?
The entry permit is CRC 15,000 per person, paid at the ranger station in San Gerardo de Rivas.
What are the best hikes in Chirripo National Park?
The classic two‑day summit trek to Cerro Chirripó via Los Crestones is the main route; shorter cloud‑forest walks are possible from the trailhead.
When is the best time to visit Chirripo National Park?
Dry season (December – April) offers clear skies and easier trail conditions; the wet season (May – November) can make trails muddy and increase landslide risk.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not mandatory for solo hikers but is required for groups over five and strongly recommended for safety.
Is camping allowed?
Tent camping is prohibited; only the Los Crestones shelter may be used for overnight stays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Chirripo National Park
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