Distance
14.5 km to the lodge
Ascent
8-10 Hrs
Descent
4-5 Hrs
Difficulty level
Medium
Tour Description
Registration office #1 in San Gerardo de Rivas
First of all, all visitors must register in person the day before entering the park at the MINAE Administrative Offices, located in San Gerardo de Rivas, Pérez Zeledón. Registration hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. You must present your ID card (or passport for foreign visitors), along with your reservation code (Caminatas al Chirripó will provide you with this code). Estimated registration time: 30 minutes
Registration #2
The second registration takes place at the Consorcio office and must be completed before 5:00 p.m. This office is located just 25 meters from the SINAC building. During this stage, you will receive your meal and lodging tickets for Base Crestones, which are included in your package. To complete this registration, you must present your ID card or passport, along with your reservation code.
If you wish to hire the luggage porter service, please note that luggage must be dropped off before 5:00 p.m. The cost is ₡2,713.15 per kilogram, and this rate applies for both the ascent and descent. The average weight of personal gear usually ranges between 8 and 10 kilograms per person.
Estimated registration time: 45 minutes.
Registration #3
Next, we will head to the Caminatas al Chirripó Office, where you will have the opportunity to meet the Caminatas team. At this location, the corresponding registration will take place. Once this step is completed, a detailed explanation will be provided about the services included and those not included in the tour. Additionally, general information about meal times, routes, scheduled destinations, and other relevant details will be shared. The estimated duration for this process is approximately 15 minutes.
Registration #4
Once the necessary registrations are completed, you will head to the hotel or cabins in San Gerardo to check in. It is important to clarify that this hotel is not the same as Base Crestones and is located outside the National Park. Check-in can be done starting at 2 p.m. Room use is limited to the first night only, so it is recommended not to leave belongings in the room. After completing this process, the dinner time will be coordinated. Additionally, you should inform them of your departure time for the next morning so they can prepare a packed breakfast for you. If you need transportation to the park entrance, it is important to arrange it in advance. Confirmation and hotel assignment will be made once the package payment is completed in full.
Day 2 – Ascent Day: San Gerardo to Base Crestones
3:00 a.m.
We will begin our hike toward the most incredible adventure in Costa Rica. Our goal is to reach the Base Crestones Shelter, which is 14.5 km from San Gerardo de Rivas. The hike starts at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level and will reach up to 3,400 meters above sea level.
7:00 a.m.
We will be crossing approximately kilometer 7.5, known as Llano Bonito. This will be the place where we can take a break, use the restrooms, enjoy a meal or snack, and refill water for the remaining part of the hike.
11:00 a.m.
Once we arrive at Base Crestones, the lodge staff will welcome us and provide information about the refuge. If you have sent your luggage with the porters, it will be taken to the place where you can pick up your belongings. Generally, rooms are assigned by 12:00 p.m., but if they are ready earlier, they will be given to you so you can rest.
12:30 p.m.
It will be time to have lunch in the common area and recharge your energy.
4:00 p.m.
If the weather allows, you can go out to enjoy the sunset from the viewpoint toward Sabana de los Leones–Crestones or Cerro Ventisqueros. Alternatively, depending on how you feel, you may also choose to stay and rest for the following day.
6:00 p.m. y las 7:00 p.m.
Whether you went out for a walk or stayed at the lodge, you will be able to have dinner in the lodge’s common area.
8:00 p.m.
As an observation, the lights at the lodge turn off automatically, so it’s recommended to bring a flashlight during dinner.
8:30 p.m.
After dinner, it's time to go to sleep as we spend our first night in Chirripó. But before that, we won’t miss the chance to step outside, gaze at the stars, and enjoy the magnificent show they offer.
Día 3 - Summit Chirripó– Return to San Gerardo and then home
3:00 a.m.
It is recommended to leave the lodge before that time if one of your dreams is to witness the sunrise from the summit of Cerro Chirripó, as otherwise you will not have enough time to see the sun come up. The hike from the refuge to the summit covers a distance of 5.1 km and usually takes about two and a half hours to complete.
6:00 a.m.
When the sun rises at the summit, you can enjoy an incredible spectacle. Sometimes, if the weather allows, you can see from the top the San Juan and Morrenas lagoons, both oceans, the Turrialba Volcano, and Barú Volcano in Panama. Don’t forget to sign the logbook so you can say: #IClimbedChirripó
7:00 a.m. a 8:00 a.m.
It’s time to have breakfast and get ready to say goodbye to the refuge and the incredible view of the Crestones.
9:00 a.m.
The 14.5 km descent to the community of San Gerardo de Rivas will begin. It is recommended to refill water bottles at the refuge.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Once back in the community, you can use the showers and have lunch before starting your journey home. You must also pick up and pay for the porter service for your bags before 5 p.m. at the Consorcio offices.
Requirements for Booking
The requirements to book will be detailed below:
- Dates you wish to climb Chirripó.
- Number of participants.
- Full name and Id or passport number
- 50% advance payment of the selected package
- Be 100% sure that you will be able to make the ascent, as once the reservation is made, no changes or substitutions are allowed.
Our rates include
The following are the services included in the rate:
Inside the National Park:
- Entrance fees, admission, and lodging inside the National Park for 3 days and 2 nights.
- One night of accommodation in San Gerardo.
- Dinner on the day of arrival.
- Packed breakfast.
- Lunch on the day of descent.
- ChatGPT dijo: Round-trip internal transportation, if required.
- Shared room, each room has 2 bunk beds. Each bed includes: 1 sheet, 1 pillow, and 2 blankets or sleeping bags per person.
- Shared bathrooms.
- Meals inside the National Park: 2 dinners, 2 lunches, 1 breakfast at Base Crestones, and 1 juice or 1 hot drink per meal time.
Not included
- Transportation from your place of residence to San Gerardo de Rivas.
- Transport of luggage to the refuge at Base Crestones (Porters or Muleteers).
- No personal items.
- The lodging fee at Base Crestones does not include towels
- Hot drinks or side dishes are not included.
How to get there?
Private Vehicle:
First, if you’re coming from San José or surrounding areas, you’ll need to take the Inter-American Highway South (Route 2). Drive approximately 140 km on this road until you reach the city of San Isidro de El General. From there, take Route 242 toward Rivas for about 8.5 km. Once in the town of Rivas, you’ll reach an intersection—turn right to stay on Route 242 and continue for about 9 km until you arrive at the town of San Gerardo de Rivas.
Similarly, if you’re coming from the Pacific coast, take the Coastal Highway South (Route 34). Continue driving until you reach the road from Dominical to San Isidro de Pérez Zeledón (Route 243). After approximately 36 km, you’ll reach San Isidro de El General. From this point, follow the directions provided in the previous paragraph.
Public Transportation:
If you’re traveling from San José, you can use public transportation via the companies MUSOC or TRACOPA, which operate routes to San Isidro de El General. Both companies offer a daily bus service that arrives at downtown San Isidro via the Inter-American Highway South (Route 2). The trip takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Contact numbers:
MUSOC: +506 2771 0414
TRACOPA: +506 2221 4214
If you’re coming from any Pacific city, you can travel to San Isidro de El General by taking a bus from the Quepos area. The company Grupo Blanco operates daily with the following schedules: 5:30 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 3:30 p.m. This bus goes directly to the city of San Isidro.
Contact number:
Grupo Blanco: +506 2771-4744
Once in San Isidro, you’ll need to take a bus to San Gerardo de Rivas. This can be done with the company Hernández Solís (located in Sinaí, Calle 242), which operates every day. Buses depart every 45 minutes.
Contact number:
Hernández Solís: +506 2771-2314
Please note that public transportation companies may have different schedules on Sundays and public holidays.
Recomendations
Here you can find all the recommendations we have for you.
- The total distance of the trail that tourists will hike from San Gerardo de Rivas (1,314 meters above sea level) to the refuge at Base Crestones (3,400 meters above sea level) is 14.5 km.
- You must check in at the MINAE office in San Gerardo de Rivas the day before your hike at any time before 4:00 p.m. to register for the national park (otherwise, you will have to wait until after 8:00 a.m. the next day).
- Start preparing for your hike by walking or engaging in any other physical activity. Being in good physical condition will greatly help with your ascent.
- On the first day, when you leave San Gerardo for Base Crestones, avoid wearing thick or heavy jackets, as these garments can become a burden.
- It is recommended to carry enough water for the hike, as there are only two points where you will have access to drinking water: at kilometer 7.5 (Llano Blanco) and at kilometer 13 (Cuesta de los Arrepentidos).
- The hike will take approximately six to eight hours ascending and five to six hours descending.
- During your stay in the National Park, these are the scheduled meal times at Base Crestones: Breakfast: 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon coffee: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Our rates
Updated rates available upon request a WhatsApp +506 8456 8585
The mountains are calling, and Chirripó is waiting
Caminatas al Chirripó will make the experience as safe, comfortable, and informative as possible.
If you would like more information about this tour, please contact us.
