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Crestones Base Camp

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Crestones Base Camp

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Crestones Base Camp

Recommended by 26 hikers out of 27

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parque Nacional Chirripó

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Location: Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, San José, Costa Rica

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Best Hikes to Crestones Base Camp

4.6

(10)

132

hikers

1. Cerro Chirripó Summit – Río Talari Lake loop from Los Arias

8.94km

02:56

430m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

5.0

(1)

hikers

2. Crestones Peak loop from Los Arias

3.13km

01:35

360m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

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3. Crestones Peak – Cerro Terbi (3,760 m) loop from Los Arias

5.76km

02:17

410m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

David Howells

December 7, 2020

Crestones base camp is a comfortable place to use for your summit hike of Chirripo. It is also a sizeable complex but does get full at peak times.

David Howells

December 7, 2020

Great comfortable base camp for your hike up Chirripo. Overnight hikers can spend the night at Crestones Base Camp, a rugged lodge situated 11,155 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level and 3.4 miles (5.5 km) from Chirripó’s summit. Although hardly luxurious, Crestones base camp puts Chirripó within the reach of average hikers and makes sunrise summits feasible.
All visitors to Chirripó National Park must purchase entrance permits in advance. Cost: $18 per person, per day. Chirripó permits are available through the park’s website: sinac.go.cr
They do sell out months in advance on busy/popular weekends.

Christin

April 5, 2025

For hikes to Chirripó or in the surrounding area, it is a good idea to spend at least one night in camp. From San Gerardo de Rivas, the climb to the camp takes 6 to 8 hours, and to the summit another 2.5 hours if you are in good shape. The supplies at the camp are very good; you get wholesome meals and there is a kiosk. You can borrow blankets, towels, etc., thus saving on backpack weight. Luggage transport is also offered, but in my opinion it is not necessary. For the descent, if you are in good shape, you should plan on 1-1.5 hours from the summit and 5-6 hours back to the valley. It is quite a knee-breaker on the way back, but it is worth it. There are hardly any people in the park and the nature is simply unbelievably beautiful. We were there in April and had two days with good weather until late afternoon, after which the clouds move up the mountain. You can park in San Gerardo de Rivas in several private parking lots for little money.

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Elevation 3,340 m

Weather

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Wednesday 5 November

15°C

8°C

17 %

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Max wind speed: 0.0 km/h

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Location: Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, San José, Costa Rica

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Crestones Base Camp

1. Cerro Chirripó Summit – Río Talari Lake loop from Los Arias

2. Crestones Peak loop from Los Arias

3. Crestones Peak – Cerro Terbi (3,760 m) loop from Los Arias

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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