El Descanso Hotel & Restaurant provides a wonderful base to plan and enjoy your trip to Chirripo National Park. The hotel will arrange all park excursion reservations for you.

Contact the hotel about four months in advance to be assured of your booking since the climb is very popular and visitor numbers are restricted in the Park El Descanso will provide you with accommodation, meals before, during and after your hike, park tickets and assistance as well as a guide if you require one.

Rooms
The hotel has capacity for 25 people in two types of rooms:

• Single rooms: with one or two beds, shared bathroom. Price: $8 per person.
• Rooms with two and three beds, private bathroom. Price: $12 per person.
• All the rooms have linens and hot water.

Restaurant: open 5am – 9 pm

Typical Costa Rican dishes served including the famous gallo pinto and los casados, fresh trout from San Gerardo and local vegetables. Alternatively, light dishes are served that are suitable for preparing for your hike, including pasta.

Chirripo National Park Package:

Lodging: $8
Supper, breakfast and lunch at the hotel: $14
Total Meal package: (3 meals during your hike, lunch and supper the day before your ascent and breakfast the day after, sandwiches): $60
Chirripo National Park Admission: $10
Mt. Chirripo Lodging: $10

Optional guide: the guide will introduce visitors to the flora and fauna of the zone, as well as the best views and mountain safety. Price to be arranged.

Visit our Wildlife Viewing and Tours page for more tour ideas!

Tours offered:

In addition to climbing Mt Chirripo there are many other attractions to see around San Gerardo. El Descanso staff will be happy to arrange the following excursions with English-speaking guides:

Tour 1: Approximately 3 hours. Hike through Cloudbridge Reserve, to view waterfalls as high as 50 meters, birds and virgin forest.
Optional: this tour can be made on horseback

Tour 2: Approximately 2 hours. Hike to La Finca Mirador to learn about coffee production. Next, a walk through virgin forest to view birds and butterflies not seen at the higher altitudes of Chirripo. The unique views of the surrounding mountains and communities from this vantage point are spectacular.

Tour 3: Approximately 5 hours. Hike to the community of Herradura, to visit the famous waterfall and on to view more than 100 species of orchids. Lastly, relax in the thermal waters to finish your perfect day.

Tour 4: Approximately 4 hours. Design your own Chirripo hike! Hike along the main footpath of the park, and choose your destination. Most popular route is to go half way, and return by the community of Los Angeles. If you’re lucky you will see monkeys and the famous quetzals.