Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hiking
A well-graded dirt road, popular with mountain bikers, runs 4km into the park from the in-
formation center, dead-ending at a
mirador
(lookout point) that affords broad views across
the valley. Three signed trails branch off from this road: the 1.2km
Sendero Oropéndola
heads downhill to a picnic area, then follows the banks of the Río Grande de Orosi for a
few hundred meters before looping back uphill;
Sendero La Pava
(0.4km) and
Sendero
La Catarata
(0.9km) both descend from a common trailhead to boulder-strewn river
beaches, the latter affording excellent views of a dramatic waterfall across the valley; the
2km
Sendero Natural Árboles Caídos
climbs steeply uphill from the main road before
descending to rejoin it further west. Tapantí is not open to backcountry hiking.
Sleeping & Eating
Kiri Mountain Lodge
LODGE
( 8488-4085, 2533-2272;
www.kirilodge.net
; s/d incl breakfast US$35/45; )
About 2km before the park entrance, Kiri has six rustic
cabinas
with intermittent wi-fi and
hot water, surrounded by 50 mossy hectares of land. Trails wind into the nearby Reserva
Forestal Río Macho, and the lodge's
restaurant
(casados US$8-12; 7am-8pm)
specializes
in trout, which can be caught in several well-stocked ponds and served however you like.
Information
Visitors receive a simple trail map upon paying fees at the park entrance. Fishing is al-
lowed in season (April to October; permit required), but the 'dry' season (January to
April) is generally considered the best time to visit. Rain gear is advisable year-round.
Getting There & Away
With your own car, you can drive the 11km from Orosi to the park entrance; about halfway
along, near the town of Purisil, the route becomes a bumpy gravel road (4WD recommen-
ded but not required).
Renting a bike in Orosi is another good option; the ride to the park takes about an hour.
Buses only make it as far as Purisil, 5km from the entrance. Taxis charge about US$18 one
way from Orosi to the park.
