Top Ten Central America Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

At 3,819 meters, Chirrips mountain in Chirrips National Park is the tallest peak in Costa Rica. The ascent to the peak includes a 2,100 meter vertical hike, making it one of the most physically challenging treks in the country. The park is located in the Talamanca range, dating back two to three million years and boasting unusual glacial features including terminal moraines and U-shaped valleys. The 50,150-hectare park was created to protect the local ecosystems and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Inhabiting the park are more than 400 bird species such as the resplendent quetzal and mammals including jaguars, tapirs, pumas and ocelots. Reservations are suggested. Park authorities allow only 40 people in the park at any one time.