Chirripó

The Chirripó National Park stands 3819 meters high, making it the highest peak in Costa Rica. Whether you are a biologist, a geologist, or a botanist, whether you like climbing or are simply a nature lover, it is considered to be one of the most memorable trips of this country. This park is not considered to be the obvious choice for the weak and faint hearted! It’s a long way up, and it gets pretty cold up there. It is recommended to start climbing early, before sunset.

It may not be the ideal family trip, but this is how we did it. The children were aged 11 to 12 and we considered that they would be more than capable of doing it. The trip starts in San Gerardo de Rivas, which is also the entrance to the park. We set off at 4:30am, ready with sweaters, water, snacks and sleeping gear and we reached Los Crestones some 9 hours later, where we decided to stay the night to be able to get an early start the next day.

Chirripó is one of the most varied regions of the country in regards to flora and fauna. It is said to be the area with the most concentrated number of Quetzals, these magnificent multicolored birds which some may never see, however hard they try! Chirripó is often represented with images of alpine vegetation and rocks, however it is actually a festival of microsystems. The climb never ceases to hold some element of surprise; always, it is possible to point out new small mammal or a beautiful bird. Throughout the climb one goes from a rain forest to an ecosystem similar to the sub alpine rain paramo. The extreme high level of humidity encourages the growth of bromeliads and mosses on the branches of the trees and gives to this little paradise a mystical touch.

The next morning at 4:30am we were ready to go again, adults and children rested and fed. Los Crestones, being about 3500m high, can get seriously cold at night, but it was the sound of the jungle that kept me awake for a while, or rather the symphony of the jungle! We paced ourselves, hoping to make it to the top for sunrise. On clear days, it is possible to see both oceans from the summit.

After about 3000 metres, it is clear that the vegetation is not tropical anymore. The harsh conditions only allow low growing plants. Ultra-violet radiation, cold bordering on freezing together with frequent rainfall transform the climb into some kind of endurance trip! Halfway up the top was when the children, who so far had been coping admirably well to the point of actually enjoying the experience, began to have second thoughts. They were tired, fed up, and needed to be carried, which was anticipated.

We made it to the top just on time for sunrise! The lunar landscape shaped by old glaciers added to the beauty and mystery of the place. The fusion of colors was truly breathtaking and it is to this day one of the best sunrises we have ever seen, and certainly one of the most memorable trips. The purple, the red, the white, the blue... there, in the distance, lies the Caribbean sea and the Pacific stretches majestically on the other side! Where else than in Costa Rica? As the sun grew stronger, the temperature became very warm. Silence reigned, we were, it seemed, the only beings there. The majestic view soon captivated the children as well.

After a tasty picnic and a well-deserved rest, we decided to start descending again. Going down is faster, and before long we found ourselves in Los Crestones again. Overwhelmed by the greatest feeling of achievement, each head full of the jungle, sunrise and the colors, we collapsed, exhausted, satisfied and happy.

Reservations are to be made in advance if you want to go to Chirripó, in the National Park Services office in downtown San Jose, which you will find on calle 25 between Avenidas 8 and 10. The entrance and shelter fees must be prepaid and the price is currently $15 per day and $10 per night if you want to stay in the Minae shelter below the summit.