Directions by Road From San José to San Gerardo

1) The panamerican option:

From San Jose, take the Panamerican Highway via Cartago south (Highway 2) for 135 km.
A good map is essential. Once you're out of San Jose, it will take approximately 3 hours to reach San Isidro de El General. In San Isidro keep driving south on the Panamerican Highway for about 1 km until you see the sign "Rivas 8 Km". Turn left onto this road. After about 8 km, at Rivas, the paved road ends: turn right onto an uphill dirt road.

Continue for about 11 km, passing through Canaan. In San Gerardo de Rivas (elevation 1350 meters) you can find the Chirripó office.

To see a more detailed description of the trip to San Isidro click here!

Directions by Bus to San Gerardo

Travelling by bus takes more time but is easier on the pocket and the nerves. Go to the MUSOC Bus Station (phone. 222-2422) in downtown San Jose. Buses leave almost hourly every day from 5:30am to 5:30pm. It is important to be there at least one hour in advance to get your tickets, although it may be better to buy them the day before (office hours are from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
The ride to San Isidro takes about 3 hours. While you're waiting, use the internet cafe above the bus station. MUSOC has good buses, so transportation is comfortable. You get off the bus at the last stop in San Isidro. Your bigger luggage will be placed under the bus, in the storage areas.
From downtown San Isidro you can then take a taxi (about $15) or bus to San Gerardo de Rivas. (The bus to San Gerardo departs at 5am and 2pm, and returns at 7am and 4pm.).

One more map from San Isidro on the way to Chirripo, click here.