Elevation 3,820 m Mountain range Cordillera de Talamanca | Prominence 3,727 m Easiest route Hiking | |
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Isolation 878 kilometres (546 mi) Listing World most prominent peaks 37th
Central America prominent peaks 7th
Central America isolated peaks 11th
Country high point Location Chirripó National Park, Costa Rica Similar Irazú Volcano, Poás Volcano, Cerro de la Muerte, Arenal Volcano, Turrialba Volcano | ||
Cerro Chirripó is the highest mountain in Costa Rica, with an elevation of 3,820 metres (12,533 ft). It is located in the Chirripó National Park and is noted for its ecological wealth. The high peaks in this and La Amistad International Park host important areas of Talamancan montane forest and Costa Rican Páramo with high endemism and an extremely high biodiversity. The peaks of these mountains, because of their height, constitute sky islands for many species of plants and animals. Snow has not fallen on the peak in the past 100 years or so, according to the University of Costa Rica, but hail is reported sometimes.
Map of Cerro Chirrip%C3%B3, San Jos%C3%A9, P%C3%A9rez Zeled%C3%B3n, Costa Rica
The great height of Cerro Chirripó relative to its surroundings is also evidenced by its particularly high topographic prominence of 3,727 m (12,228 ft), which makes it the 37th most prominent peak in the world.
From the summit, it is possible on clear days to see all across the country from coast to coast, from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea.
Forest fires have occurred in 1976, in the 1990s, and in 2012.
Climbing Chirripó is possible by obtaining a permit, or not, from the National Park office in San Gerardo de Rivas. From the trailhead, the summit can be reached via a 19.5-kilometre (12.1 mi) hike.