LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Exploring the Talamancas
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TWO WEEKS / SAN ISIDRO TO PARQUE INTERNATCIONAL LA AMISTAD
It’s 210km straight up and down mountains in the isolated Cordillera de Talamanca, one of the most remote areas in the country and home to various indigenous communities, un- spoiled wildlife and incredible vistas. Stay and work as a volunteer in the Dúrika reserve if you wish.
Delve into the mountainous area that remains Costa Rica’s most unexplored. You can do either of the following hikes separately (for a shorter trip) or bundle them into one if you’ve got plenty of time.
Gear up in San Isidro de El General before heading southeast through pineapple plantations to the small agricultural town of Buenos Aires. Arrangements can be made here for transport via dirt road to the wonderfully remote Reserva Biológica Dúrika, a self-sustaining community nestled in the Cordillera de Talamanca. From this point, undertake the six-day, round-trip hike-and-climb of Cerro Dúrika (3280m), situated inside the Parque Internacional La Amistad. Visits to the neighboring indigenous community of Ujarrás are also available.
If you haven’t had your fill of nature yet, then continue on south from Buenos Aires to Altamira, where you’ll find the headquarters for Parque Internacional La Amistad. From here you can make the 20km guided trek through Valle del Silencio, one of the most isolated and remote areas in all of Costa Rica, ending up at a small refuge at the base of the Cerro Kamuk. From here, make the return trip through Altamira and back to the rowdy roads near the Interamericana.
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