How do I get Tickets to Climb Chirripo?
Dear Travelers,
Chirripo National Park tickets are available for online purchase at http://sinac.go.cr. This is the only way to obtain permits for Chirripo National Park. Crestones Basecamp Lodging service, CRC Chirripo, is a private group that provides a sleeping bag and towel and meals can be arranged at . Once you have obtained permits, CRC Crestones base camp will send you an email for lodging payment. The permits will be canceled if lodging payment is not received within 5 days, so be sure to check your spam for an email from info@chirripo.org.
Space at the Chirripo National Park Base Camp Crestones is limited!
Tickets are release on a rolling schedule. Set up an account with http://sinac.go.cr. Keep checking the availability calendar for tickets to become for future dates. Step by Step purchase instructions are below.
Very Important!! Hiking Chirripo requires careful planning.
All hikers must register in person at the National Park Office in San Gerardo by 4:00 pm one day prior to their hike date.
San Gerardo de Rivas is remote. Travel in Costa Rica is slow and googlemap times are not accurate. It is not advisable to attempt check-in for your hike the same day you arrive in country. Please see travel times/advisories here. Please do email us to talk about your itinerary so that we can help you succeed in 'jumping the hoops' and hiking the mountain.
The happiest hikers leave some time before the big hike to visit the amazing nature reserves, waterfalls, brew pub, botanical, butterfly and bird observatory gardens, trout farm restaurant, bakery, cheese and home-made gelato & vegan ice cream.....maybe take a dip in a cold pristine river...maybe take a delicious nap in the hammock....here's a link to some activities are a great way to warm up for the big Chirripo challenge.
Below are the Step-By-Step instructions for purchase of park permits.
A permit to enter the Park on one day and leave the Park the following day will require different entry and exit dates. This type of permit is linked to a bed at Crestones Basecamp.
A "Diario" permit requires the same entry and exit dates is not linked to a bed at Crestones Base Camp.
The following information guides you through the purchase of park entry permits. Have all hiker names and passports on hand.
After you purchase your Park permit you should receive an email from Crestones Basecamp (CRC Chirripo) with Lodging instructions.
1. go to http://www.sinac.go.cr/ and set up a user account. Use dd/mm/yy format
2. Click "BOOK ONLINE"
3. Select "Parqe Nacional Chirripo" from the Reservaciones en Linea (online reservations" list
4. Log in
5. Click on "Buy/Comprar" and then check for available tickets by selecting "Revisa la disponibilidad de espacios de lots parques nacionales". Here you can enter a Park entry date to verify that overnight permits are available. 'Disponibilidad' indicates the number of beds available for that date at Basecamp Crestones.
* 'visita diario' is for a day pass only with no overnight option. The entry date and exit date are the same.
If this calendar is out of service, simply proceed to the purchase page and attempt to complete the purchase by selecting "buy/comprar" on the drop down menu.
* Wildlife Area: choose "PARQUE NACIONAL CHIRRIPO" realizar reservacion (in the green box)
* Entry Sector: choose "SECTOR SAN GERARDO"
*"Fecha de entrada" indicates the day of entry into the park dd/mmm/yyyy
"Fecha de Salida" is the exit date from the park.
7. Enter the number of hikers, resident of Costa Rica or non-resident. If no pop-up menu appears, then continue on with the purchase.
8. If you wish to spend the night at Base Camp Crestones your entry date must be different from your departure date.
COUNTRY: choose yours
Quantity Days=2 "days" needed for a one night stay at Crestones.
Quantity Days=3 "days" needed for a two night stay at Crestones.
9. Hit the + sign in the 'quantity" field for the total of hikers. "Quantity" is the number of people hiking.
10. Check the "Accept the terms" box and then the blue arrow to continue to the Payment page.
11. You have 11 minutes to complete the transaction. Enter your passport as your ID number and click on the + sign after each entry. ID is needed for each hiker.
12. Check your email for confirmation that the purchase completed.
IMPORTANT
ARRANGING YOUR CRESTONES BASECAMP LODGING:
Your permit to hike Chirripo corresponds to a bed at Crestones Basecamp.
Crestones (CRC Chirripo) will send you an email which will contain information for you to pay your lodging online. If you don't receive the email or the payment link doesn't work, send your entry permit number to the email below.
Email: info@chirripo.org
The contact number for Chirripo.org (Crestones Lodging) is (506) 2742-5200.
All reservations are non-transferable and refunds involve a lengthy process outlined in the fine print.
The Park requires each hiker to check in at the San Gerardo Park Office, at the entrance to the village of San Gerardo de Rivas, by 4pm one day prior to hiking.
The Crestones Basecamp lodging office requires each hiker to check in at the San Gerardo Office, across from the National Park office, by 4pm one day prior to hiking.
Please check in at the offices before hiking up the hill to Casa Mariposa
Contact Casa Mariposa about road conditions, updated bus schedules and travel times to ensure that you arrive in time for Park check-in.
See you on the Mountain!