Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
quired to confirm the reservation. If you reserve in advance you must present your reserva-
tion and payment confirmation at the ranger station in San Gerardo de Rivas on the day
before you set out.
Fortunately, the lodge reserves 10 spaces per night for travelers who show up in San
Gerardo and are ready to hike on the following day. This is far and away the more practic-
al option for most travelers. Even though there is no certainty that there will be space
available on the days you wish to hike, showing up immediately when the ranger station
opens at 6:30am is usually guaranteed to work. Space is at a premium during holiday peri-
ods and on weekends during the dry season. Your chances are best when you have a day or
two to spare, in case multiday visitors max out the accommodations.
Crestones Base Lodge provides drinking water, but no food. Hikers must bring all of
their own provisions.
Camping is allowed only at a special designated area near Cerro Urán - not at Crestones
or anywhere else in the park.
Information
It is essential that you stop at the Chirripó
ranger station
at least one day before you intend
to climb Chirripó so that you can get a space at the mountaintop hostel and pay your park
entry fee (US$15 for two days, plus US$15 for each additional day). Even if you have a re-
servation, you must stop here the day before to confirm (bring your reservation and pay-
ment confirmation). You can also make arrangements here to hire a porter (a fixed fee of
US$60 for up to 15kg of luggage) or to store your luggage while you hike. The hike is
popular with Tico hikers and busiest the dry weeks before Easter. Although the trails are
well marked, they can be a muddy mess.
Getting There & Around
Travelers connect to the trails via the mountain village of San Gerardo de Rivas, which is
also home to the ranger station. See details under San Gerardo de Rivas for directions on
how to get there. From opposite the ranger station, in front of Cabinas El Bosque, there is
free transportation to the trailhead at 5am. Also, several hotels offer early-morning trail-
head transportation for their guests.
