Cerro Chirripo Preparation & Planning Guide 2025

Last updated on September 9th, 2024

Chirripó National Park is home to the tallest mountain in Costa Rica, known as “Cerro Chirripó,” which shares its name with the park. As the highest point in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripó stands at an impressive 3,820 meters (12,533 feet). This protected area features regions of stunning scenic beauty and significant geological and biological importance. Highlights include Sabana de los Leones, Valle de las Morrenas, Cerro Ventisqueros, Valle de los Conejos, and Valle de los Lagos, which includes Lake Chirripó and Los Crestones.

Hiking the highest mountain in Costa Rica requires thorough preparation to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. This guide will cover the essential information every hiker needs to know before, during, and after the hike. We’ll dive into the logistics for two main sectors: the San Gerardo Sector and the San Jerónimo Sector, as these are the routes I have personally experienced.

Table of Contents

• How to Reach San Gerardo de Rivas
• How to Reach San Jerónimo, Pérez Zeledón
• Introduction to SINAC, ATURENA, and CRC Chirripo
• Obtaining Chirripó National Park Permits
• Lodging and Food Reservation Process at Crestones Base Camp
• Booking with ATURENA (San Jeronimo Sector Only)
• Cost Comparison: San Gerardo Sector vs. San Jeronimo Sector
• Registration Process: San Gerardo Sector vs. San Jeronimo Sector
• Final Comments

Getting There

As you probably know, there are several routes for hiking to the summit of Cerro Chirripó in Chirripó National Park. The most popular route is through San Gerardo de Rivas, followed by San Jerónimo of Pérez Zeledón, and the third option is through Herradura. Here, we’ll explain how to get to the first two towns:

Getting to San Gerardo de Rivas:

By Car Rental:

The drive from San José to San Gerardo de Rivas is quite manageable, typically taking around 3.5 hours without traffic. We took a scenic route through Cerro Buenavista, also known as “Cerro de la Muerte.” Depending on the weather, this route can range from foggy and rainy to sunny with clear blue skies, changing drastically within a short time. After passing Cerro de la Muerte, you will reach Valle del General in Pérez Zeledón. From here, it’s approximately a 40-minute drive to San Gerardo de Rivas. For the final stretch, we recommend using Google Maps or Waze.

Note: If you’re looking to rent a car in Costa Rica, check out our partnership with Adobe Car Rental. We offer our readers a 5% discount on their reservations. CLICK HERE to read more about it.

By Bus:

MUSOC provides various schedules from San José to Valle del General in Pérez Zeledón, with buses running from 4:45 am to 6:30 pm. You can purchase your ticket online at their website. The ticket costs ₡4777.10 colones (approximately $10 USD). After arriving in Pérez Zeledón, you’ll need to take a bus operated by Hernández Solís. Their bus station is about 500 meters from the MUSOC bus station, located in the Central Market (Mercado Central) of Pérez Zeledón. The Hernández Solís buses run from 6:30 am to 6:15 pm. You can find more details about their schedule on their website. The ticket costs around ₡515 colones (approximately $1 USD). This bus will drop you off in front of the Catholic Church in San Gerardo de Rivas, from where you can easily reach your accommodation.

By Private Transportation:

This transfer can cost around $350 USD total, depending on the season and the number of people. Contact us to get a quotation!

Getting to San Jerónimo of Pérez Zeledón:

By Car Rental:

The drive from San José to San Jerónimo is longer, taking around 5 hours without traffic at a reasonable speed. The route is similar to getting to San Gerardo de Rivas. You’ll need to take the road through Cerro Buenavista, also known as “Cerro de la Muerte.” As mentioned before, the weather conditions here can vary greatly, ranging from foggy and rainy to sunny with clear skies. Once you reach Valle del General in Pérez Zeledón, it’s approximately a 1-hour drive to San Jerónimo. For the final part, we recommend using Google Maps or Waze. Make sure to search for ATURENA, as they manage access through this sector.

Note: If you’re looking to rent a car in Costa Rica, check out our partnership with Adobe Car Rental. We offer our readers a 5% discount on reservations. CLICK HERE to read more about it.

By Bus:

This part is the same as mentioned for San Gerardo de Rivas. The company MUSOC provides different schedules from San José to Valle del General in Pérez Zeledón, with buses running from 4:45 am to 6:30 pm. You can purchase your ticket online at their website. The bus ticket costs ₡4777.10 colones (approximately $10 USD). From Pérez Zeledón, you need to take a bus operated by Gafeso. Their bus station is about 700 meters from the MUSOC bus station. However, their schedules are more limited compared to those going to San Gerardo de Rivas, with buses departing at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, taking around 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to San Jerónimo. The return bus schedules from San Jerónimo to Pérez Zeledón are at 5:30 am and 12:30 pm. The ticket costs ₡2200 colones (approximately $5 USD).

By Private Transportation:

This transfer can cost around $450 USD total, depending on the season and the number of people. Contact us to get a quotation!

Who’s Who?

Before starting, let’s clarify who’s who:

SINAC: This is the governmental institution responsible for handling permits for all national parks in Costa Rica.

CRC Chirripo: This association manages essential services such as lodging at Crestones Base Camp, meal services at the base camp, and porter services through the San Gerardo Sector.

ATURENA: This is a local association in the San Jeronimo Sector. They manage the first-night lodging in San Jeronimo, meals for the first night, porter services through the San Jeronimo sector, and provide tour guides for this sector.

If you choose to go through the San Gerardo Sector, you will need to be in contact with SINAC and CRC Chirripo. (A tour guide is not required for this sector.)

If you choose to go through the San Jeronimo Sector, you will need to be in contact with SINAC, CRC Chirripo, and ATURENA. (A tour guide is mandatory for this sector.)

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Chirripó National Park Permits

Note: Right now, SINAC is in the process of hiring the essential services for people staying at Crestones Base Camp. For this reason, it is not possible to make reservations after October 12th, 2024. Hopefully, this can be resolved ASAP so travelers can make their arrangements properly. More info on their Facebook page

It is highly recommended to make reservations for Cerro Chirripó in Chirripó National Park at least 6 months in advance, especially if you plan to visit during January, February, March, April, or May. These summer months are the most popular, and the national park often reaches full capacity.

Permits for weekends and holidays often sell out months in advance, with Easter Week (Semana Santa) being especially popular for hiking Cerro Chirripó. If your schedule is flexible, try planning your hike mid-week when permits are generally easier to reserve.

All visitors to Chirripó National Park must purchase entrance permits in advance through the park’s website: SINAC Online Services. The cost is $18 per person plus 13% VAT per day.

Important Notes:

• You can make reservations up to six months in advance.
• Each group can include up to four people.
• Separate reservations are needed for Crestones Base Camp (details below).
• The park is closed for trail maintenance during the last two weeks of May and for the annual Chirripó footrace on the last weekend in February.
• Same-day permits for Chirripó are no longer available.

For a detailed process on obtaining your permits for Cerro Chirripó National Park through the San Gerardo Sector and San Jerónimo Sector, check our following blog post CLICK HERE.

Quick Steps for Reserving Your Permits:

Create a Username and Password:

Go to SINAC Online Services and create a username and password using your basic information such as first name, last name, and email. Accept the Terms & Conditions and click “To Register.” On the login page, enter your username and password. Next, click the “Buy” dropdown menu in the upper right, then select “Online Reservation.”

Buying Permits for San Gerardo Sector and San Jerónimo Sector:

This process is fairly intuitive, but here are some important notes:

a. Selecting the Park and Entry Sector: Go to Parque Nacional Chirripo and click on “Make Reservation.”For the entry sector, “San Gerardo” is the most popular starting point for hiking Chirripó and does not require a tour guide. “San Jerónimo” is less visited and requires a tour guide.

b. Checking Availability: Click on “Availability” to bring up a calendar in Spanish with four columns. Note that the calendar’s functionality may vary:

• Día (“Day”) – The day you will enter the park.
• Fecha (“Date”) – The date you will enter the park (same as Day).
• Disponibilidad (“Availability”) – The number of beds available at Crestones Base Camp.
• Visita Diaria (“Day Visits”) – Permits for day visitors who won’t spend the night.

Dates are available up to six months in advance. Be patient when navigating the calendar.

c. Entering Dates:

After finding an available date, enter it into “Entry Date.” The pop-up calendar ensures the correct DD/MM/YYYY format.

Enter your “Departure Date,” which can be no more than two days after your entry date.

Note: If you select the San Jerónimo Sector, you need to book 2 nights at Crestones Base Camp. Entry dates through this sector are usually on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For example, if your entry day is Monday, your departure day will be Wednesday, and a tour guide is mandatory through this sector.The San Gerardo Sector offers more flexibility: you can select your preferred entry and departure days, stay for only one night if desired, and purchase day pass permits.

d. Admissions and Terms:

• Go to the “Foreigners Admissions” section.
• Under “Admissions Type,” select “Adulto(a) No Residente.”
• Enter the number of people hiking (up to 4).
• Scroll down to read and accept the Terms and Conditions. Click on the blue letters for the English translation if needed.
• Don’t forget to accept the terms before proceeding.

e. Finalizing the Reservation:

Click “Continue” at the bottom left. You’ll see a message indicating that your spaces have been pre-reserved, and you have 12 minutes to complete your purchase.

f. Payment Page:

Make sure you have the following information handy, especially if buying permits for others:

• Complete Name: Enter your full name.
• Identification: Enter your passport number.
• Country: Select your country of residence.
• Credit Card Details:
  • Cardholder Name: Enter your full name.
  • Credit Card Number
  • Expiration Date
  • CCV (Security Code)
  • Payment Currency: Choose either Dollars or Colones (local currency).

Click the “I am not a robot” box and then continue to proceed with the payment.

Once the payment is completed, you will be redirected to a confirmation page, and a confirmation number will be sent to your email.

After completing these steps, your permits are guaranteed.

Reservation Process for Lodging and Food at Crestones Base Camp

Note: CRC Chirripo is the current administrator of lodging and food services at Crestones Base Camp until October 12th, 2024. Reservations beyond this date are not open as there’s no guarantee that CRC Chirripo will continue after this period. Therefore, no page or tour operator can guarantee a reservation beyond this date.

Once you purchase your permits, you need to make a reservation for Crestones Base Camp. Lodging and food services are currently handled by CRC Chirripo.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Permit Confirmation: After your permits are confirmed, CRC Chirripo will email you within 5 days to confirm your permits. However, your lodging and food reservation will still be pending.
2. Payment Method: When you contact CRC Chirripo, clarify the payment method. The process has changed over time. Previously, a payment link was provided, but now, for non-Costa Rican residents, payment is required upon arrival and registration.

Crestones Base Camp Cost and Basic Food Package Cost:

Note: Prices are based in colones (local currency) using the exchange rate of July 2024.

Lodging Cost:

Food cost:

In case you need to pay for someone to carry your bag up to the top with horses through the San Gerardo Sector, it costs ₡2,713.15 ($5.08 USD) per kilogram for one way. For example, if you have a bag weighing 5 kilograms, it will cost $25.40 USD to take your bag all the way up to the base camp. If you decide that you want horses to carry your bag all the way down, you will need to pay $25.40 USD again. This means that your total spend for this service will be $50.80 USD.

Important Notes

• Bedding: Crestones Base Camp provides sheets and 2 blankets per bed. Each room has a locker for storing personal items.
• Meal Schedules:
  • Breakfast: 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Meals must be purchased as part of your package in advance; you cannot buy meals on-site.
• Electricity: There is no electricity available to charge phones or camera batteries. Bring a battery bank.
• Shower Facilities: The water for showers is very cold, so consider this if you plan to shower.
• Room Arrangements: Rooms have bunk beds and are shared with other guests. If traveling alone, you will likely share a room and may need to sleep in either the top or bottom bunk.
• Wi-Fi Access: Wi-Fi access is occasionally available but not guaranteed.
• Snacks and Drinks: The camp sells snacks and soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola, empanadas, and tortillas with cheese. Bring cash, as payment options may vary depending on internet availability.
• Lights Out: Lights are turned off at 8:00 p.m., but you can stay in the common areas as long as you like.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-prepared for your stay at Crestones Base Camp. Enjoy your adventure!

Booking Guide: First Night, Transportation, and Meals with ATURENA (San Jeronimo Sector Only)

This guide is applicable exclusively for those booking permits through the San Jeronimo Sector.

Why Contact ATURENA?

When you book your permits through the San Jeronimo Sector, it’s essential to contact ATURENA. They manage the crucial services required for this sector, supplementing the CRC Chirripo offerings. By booking with ATURENA, you’ll secure:

• Lodging and Meals for Your First Night in San Jeronimo
• Transportation Between Your Lodging and Kilometer 0
• Tour Guide Services

Important Notes:

Price Variations: The cost of ATURENA’s partial package depends on the group size. For instance, if you’re a couple planning to hike Cerro Chirripo through this sector, hiring a tour guide solely for you two may be more expensive. However, joining another group can significantly reduce the cost of the tour guide. We highly recommend asking ATURENA about the possibility of joining an existing group that will be hiking Cerro Chirripo on the same dates as you.

Partial Package prices:

Note: Prices are based in colones (local currency) using the exchange rate of July 2024.

In case you need to pay for someone to carry your bag up to the top, please note that they don’t use horses through the San Jeronimo Sector. There is a minimum of 9 kilograms. If the total amount of kilograms for the group is less than 9 kilograms, the group will still need to pay for the minimum, which is 9 kilograms. The cost is ₡3,000 ($5.62 USD) per kilogram for one way.

For example, if you have a bag weighing 5 kilograms and someone else has a bag weighing 4 kilograms for a total of 9 kilograms, it will cost $50.58 USD to take your bags all the way up to the base camp. If you decide to hire this service for the descent, the same porter will carry all your bags back down, and if the same 9 kilograms are carried down, you will need to pay $50.58 USD again. This means that your total spend for this service will be $101.16 USD. The cost should be split among all the participants who use the porter service.

Expenses for San Gerardo Sector vs. San Jeronimo Sector

Here’s a quick recap of all the expenses you need to consider depending on the sector you choose. This will provide you with a better perspective of the costs involved when planning your visit to Cerro Chirripo. These prices assume you will be traveling with a companion, which is highly recommended for this hike.

Note: Prices are based in colones (local currency) using the exchange rate of July 2024.

Cerro Chirripo through San Gerardo Sector – 1 night at San Gerardo and 1 night at Crestones Base Camp

Cerro Chirripo through San Gerardo Sector – 1 night at San Gerardo and 2 nights at Crestones Base Camp

Cerro Chirripo through San Jeronimo Sector – 1 night at San Jeronimo and 2 nights at Crestones Base Camp

By comparing these costs, you can decide which sector best fits your budget and preferences for your Cerro Chirripo adventure.

Registration Process: San Gerardo Sector vs. San Jeronimo Sector

When planning your hike to Cerro Chirripo, the registration process varies depending on whether you go through the San Gerardo Sector or the San Jeronimo Sector.

Through San Gerardo de Rivas Sector

• After arriving in San Gerardo de Rivas, your first stop will be the SINAC office. You must register here the day before your hike, as SINAC does not allow same-day registrations. The office closes at 4:00 PM, so make sure you arrive before then. Don’t forget to bring your ID or passport for registration.
• Next, head to the CRC Chirripo office, which is conveniently located just across the street from the SINAC office. This office also closes at 4:00 PM. Here, you can pay for your lodging at Crestones Base Camp and your meals if you haven’t already done so. If you need porter services, bring your bag to be weighed and charged accordingly. You’ll leave the bag there, and it will be sent up the next day with the horses.
• For your first night’s lodging in San Gerardo de Rivas, there are several options close to Kilometer 0, such as Hotel Uran, Casa Mariposa, and Cabaña Rústica Nasua. Prices may vary. Note that Hotel Uran has a restaurant, and there are other dining options around San Gerardo as well.
• Note: A tour guide is not mandatory for this sector.

Through San Jeronimo de Perez Zeledon Sector

• You must arrive at San Jeronimo the day before your hike, before 4:00 PM, and register at the ATURENA office. ATURENA handles all the registration for permits and other services. Currently, ATURENA does not offer online payment, so you will need to pay upon arrival. Ensure that you have paid for CRC Chirripo services before registering with ATURENA.
• During registration at ATURENA, decide how much weight you need the porters to carry for you.
• After registering at ATURENA and meeting your tour guide, you will be transported to your lodging, organized by ATURENA. They will inform you of your accommodation details. You will receive dinner that night and coordinate with your guide on the start time for your hike the next day. The next morning, you will receive breakfast to take with you, which you can eat at Kilometer 5, a common rest stop.
• Note: A tour guide is mandatory for this sector.

Final Comments

Hiking Cerro Chirripo requires physical preparation and careful logistical planning. This is not one of those touristy spots where everything is conveniently packaged. Make sure to make all the arrangements well in advance, at least six months before your visit.

If you’d like to read about my experience hiking Cerro Chirripo through the San Gerardo Sector or the San Jeronimo Sector, be sure to click on the links below.

Additionally, if you plan to stay longer in the area and want to learn more about activities in San Gerardo de Rivas, San Jeronimo, and the surrounding areas near San Isidro del General, be sure to purchase our City Guides. They have everything you need for a memorable trip!

Read More About:

–Hiking Cerro Chirripo through the San Gerardo Sector: My Personal Experience

–Hiking Cerro Chirripo through the San Jeronimo Sector: My Personal Experience

–Altitude Sickness

–How to make reservations for Cerro Chirripó National Park 2025

Make sure to click on the links to read detailed accounts of my hiking experiences through both sectors!

• Category: costa rica national parks

Posted by Rodrigo

I am a wildlife and landscape photography lover and part-time blogger of Explore Tikizia; Husband to Ligia (a great wife) :) . Also a full time worker as support agent for a GDS. I love to travel to non-touristy places, hiking to difficult access areas and enjoy good cup of coffee.

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