Distance
14,5 km to the lodge
Ascent
8-10 Hrs to the lodge
Descent
4-5 Hrs back to San Gerardo
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.
Day 3- Base Crestones- Chirripó- trail circuit- Base Crestones
3:00 a.m.
It is recommended to leave the refuge 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.
It is when the sun rises at the summit that you can enjoy an impressive spectacle. Sometimes, if the weather permits, you can see from the summit the San Juan and Morrenas lagoons, both oceans, Turrialba Volcano, and Barú Volcano in Panama. Don’t forget to sign the logbook so you can proudly say: #Iclimbedchirripó
6:30 a.m.
It’s time to descend the mountain and have breakfast with a view of the Valle de los Conejos. After eating and recharging our energy, we will begin our circuit tour. The best part of the route to enjoy is visiting Ditkevi Lagoon, Cerro Terbi, and Cerro Crestones.
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
We will return to the refuge for lunch in the common area. After lunch, you can take a shower, and we can coordinate the porter service with the refuge staff if you need it. You will need to go to your room to pack your bags so you have an idea of their weight, which will help coordinate the porters. After weighing your bags, you can take them back to your room for storage.
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
It’s time to have dinner and talk about the incredible day we had, share photos, and laugh with friends. Then, we’ll go to sleep.
Day 4 – Saying Goodbye – Return to San Gerardo and then home
5:30 a.m.
It’s time to have breakfast and get ready to say goodbye to the lodge and the incredible view of the Crestones.
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The 14.5 km descent to the community of San Gerardo de Rivas will begin. It is recommended to fill your water bottles at the lodge.
12:30 a.m. a 1:30 p.m.
Once back in the community, you can use the showers and have lunch before starting your journey home. Also, luggage portage must be picked up and paid for before 5:00 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 of each group member.
- A 50% advance payment of the selected package.
- Be 100% certain that you will be able to make the ascent, as once the reservation is made, no changes or substitutions can be made.
Our rates include
The services included in the rate are detailed below:
Inside the National Park:
- Entrance fees, admission, and lodging in the National Park for 4 days and 3 nights.
En el hotel se ofrece:
- One night of lodging in San Gerardo.
- Dinner on the day of arrival.
- Brekfast to go
- Lunch on the day of descent.
- Round-trip internal transportation if required.
At Base Crestones, the following is included:
- 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 mealtime.
Not included
The following services are NOT included in the package:
- Breakfast on Day 2 is optional for those who wish to purchase it. This service can be acquired for an additional cost, either as a packed meal or to be eaten on-site.
- Snacks.
- Personal items.
- Additional nights beyond the tour.
- Transportation from your place of residence to San Gerardo.
- Luggage portage.
- Hot drinks or side dishes.
- The lodging rate at Base Crestones does not include a towel.
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.
Meal times and schedules
Below are the scheduled meal times at Base Crestones:
- Breakfast: 5:30 a.m. a 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:30 p.m. a 3:00 p.m.
- Coffee break 3:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m.
- Dinner 6:00 p.m. a 7:00 p.m.
Rates
Tarifas actualizadas a nuestro WhatsApp +506 8456 8585
Recomendations
Here you can find all the recommendations we have for you.
Chirripó Attractions
By clicking here, you can see all the attractions available at Cerro Chirripó.
If you have more doubts or questions about Chirripó, here is a link that will be very helpful.
We invite you to learn about what the rooms at Base Crestones are like by clicking here.
Everything you've ever dreamed of will come true.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way and we’ll be with you every step of this adventure.
If you would like more information about this tour, please contact us.
