The National Park protects 50150 hectares of high elevation terrain surrounding Cerro Chirripó (3819 meters), the highest mountain in the country. Most of the park lies at over 2000 meters above sea level, and there are hiking trails, only 60 visitors are allowed within the park at any one time and nobody is allowed to hike without a guide. The forests are the habitat of several endangered species, such as the harpy eagle, quetzal, cougar, jaguar, tiger cat, margay cat, ocelot, jaguarundi and tapir; also the forests is rich in tree ferns, epiphytes, different kinds of palms and understorey growth. The weather is unpredictable, winds can approach 160 kph, the humidity and wind-chill is factor can drop temperatures to 5° C.

Rain is always a possibility, even in dry season. Fog is almost a daily occurrence at higher elevations, and temperature can fall below freezing at night. The National Park eastern boundary coincides with the western boundary of the huge and largely inaccessible "Parque International de la Amistad"; thus most of the Talamanca Mountains are protected.

San Gerardo de Rivas, San Isidro del General
Opening hours: Daily from 8:00-16:00.
It may change without notice.