Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
serve, the excellent riverfront suites have tasteful contemporary art, small kitchens, luxury
mattresses and linens, and custom-designed furniture. The gourmet restaurant offers inter-
national fusions using organic produce from its garden. Note that this place is in the vil-
lage of Rivas, which is down the mountain from San Gerardo de Rivas.
Río Chirripó Retreat
HOTEL
(
2742-5109;
www.riochirripo.com
;
Canaán; d/cabin/casita incl breakfast US$95/137/147;
)
This upscale lodge is centered on both a beautiful yoga studio overlooking the river, and a
vast open-air, Santa Fe-style communal area. You can hear the rush of the river from eight
secluded cabins, where woven blankets and stenciled walls evoke the southwest USA.
Grounds include hiking trails, a heated swimming pool and a hot tub with sweeping moun-
tain views. The lodge lies about 1.5km below the ranger station, in Canaán.
Information
The Chirripó
ranger station
(Sinac; reservations 2742-5083; 6:30am-noon & 1-4:30pm)
is
about 1km below the soccer field on the road from San Isidro. Stop by early to check for
availability at
Crestones Base Lodge
, and to confirm and pay fees before setting out. The
Base Lodge holds 10 first-come-first-served beds, which can only be reserved the day pri-
or to arrival.
Getting There & Away
Arriving via public transportation requires a connection through San Isidro. Buses to San
Isidro depart from the soccer field at 5:15am, 11:30am and 4pm (US$1.80, 1½ to 2 hours).
Any of the hotels can call a taxi for you (about US$30).
Driving from San Isidro, head south on the Interamericana and cross Río San Isidro
south of town. About 500m further on, cross the unsigned Río Jilguero and take the first,
steep turn up to the left, about 300m beyond the Jilguero. Note that this turnoff is not
marked (if you miss the turn, it
is
signed from the northbound side).
The ranger station is about 18km up this road from the Interamericana. The road is
paved as far as Rivas but beyond that it is steep and graveled. It is passable for ordinary
cars in the dry season, but a 4WD is recommended. If you are driving past the village of
