“place of rest.” Traversing more than a dozen lower peaks along the way, the average daily hike takes about eight hours. The area is home to several large cat species including the jaguar. It also harbors dozens of different varieties of mushrooms. With Kamuk’s density of biodiverse species unmatched by any similarly sized conservation area in the world, visitors are required to be accompanied by a certified guide. Precautions to preserve this fragile ecosystem include the use of only new hiking equipment, ensuring that no foreign spores, mildew and micro-organisms are introduced. In short, Kamuk mountain trips are for serious naturalists.
4. Cerro de la Muerta
The Talamanca mountain range became separated from its neighboring elevated areas by a tectonic uplift. The result is an endemic ecosystem that resembles Andean plant and animal species. The highest Talamanca peak is Cerro de la Muerta, translated as “Summit of Death,” an appropriate name at one time. In the early 20th century, crossing by horseback or on foot from the Central Valley took three or four days. To accommodate travelers along the way, when temperatures commonly drop below freezing, cabins were constructed in 1908. History can be a cruel mistress but Cerro de la Muerta has since been tamed. Construction of the Pan-American Highway has made it possible to access the fourth highest spot in Costa Rica by hiking less than a mile up a wellmaintained trail. From a marked sign on the paved road, the path gently ascends only 100 meters along the way. It’s a favorite area for amateur ornithologists to see an array of avian species including the timberline wren, the peg-billed finch and the famed quetzal. The Orosi River is a popular trout fishing spot.
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5. Volcan Irazú
The fifth highest peak on our list happens to be Costa Rica’s tallest active volcano, Irazú, reaching 3,440 meters (about 11,000 feet) high. Located in the Cordillera Central, near the city of Cartago, Volcan Irazú actually contains several craters at its summit. Most notably, Diego de la Haya holds a green crater lake whose depth varies according to rainfall levels. Irazú Volcano National Park is home to the armadillo, fox, owl, woodpecker and a variety of hummingbirds. There is now a road leading right up to the summit craters, making the volcano a popular tourist attraction. Since 1723, Irazú has erupted at least 23 times, on average every 13 years. The last recorded eruption occurred on December 8, 1994. Photo courtesy of sylivaguardia.com
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