La Amistad international Park (PILA) is located in the Cordillera de Talamanca, about 280 km from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica; it covers part of the national territory and continues South to the East of the Republic of Panama. It was declared a biosphere reserve in 1982 and a world heritage site in 1983, due to the great importance and diversity of the ecosystems it protects.

Due to rainfall, temperatures, altitude and soils, it has a large number of habitats and provides refuge for endemic species, being the protected area with the greatest biodiversity in Costa Rica. The main feature that makes this international Park attractive is the fact that the visitor can be in direct contact with an unchanging, clean natural environment where biological diversity manifests itself in all its forms, considering this protected area as one with great genetic biodiversity, species and ecosystems, as well as a high level of endemism in Costa Rica.

A visitor to PILA has the good fortune to be in the largest protected area in Costa Rica, where there are countless recreational activities such as camping, Hiking, and extreme Hiking, photography, and bird watching, as well as getting to explore unique ecosystems such as swamps, savannas, peatlands, cloud forests, and pre-montane forests.

Its history.

Cerro Cabecar: from There, visitors appreciate the scenic beauty of The terraba valley, as well as several hills, including Chirripo and derica. You can also observe a large number of bird species and waterfalls. This hill has a height of 2890 meters above sea level and temperatures that range from 10o and 12 degrees Celsius; it has the characteristic vegetation of pre-montane forest, cloud or oak forest, peat bog and swamp.

Valle del Silencio: after crossing the path of almost 14 km you will reach the plain at the top of the Talamanca mountain range (2500 meters above sea level), covered with cloud forests and extensive oak groves, an ideal habitat for jaguars, tapirs and quetzals. In the middle of this forest are peat bogs known as the “Garden”, an ecosystem with unique endemic species. Visitors will enjoy the great scenic beauty of the several hills and the valley of the Rio Grande Veerana. It will take three days to make a General tour, leaving the community of Altamira de Bioli, Buenos Aires de Puntarenas.

How to get there.

Access hours:

Every day from 8: 00 to 16: 00.

For reservations made during the same period.

Drinking water

Lunch area

Sanitary services

Short Hiking trails (2 km)

Long Hiking trails (14 km to 26 km)

Hill Lookout point

Parking

Specialized local guides

Recommendations:

12 hours of visiting the Park (8: 00-16: 00)

Take care of your things.

Stay on the trails.

Swimming in waterfalls or rivers is not allowed.

Do not transport any kind of drugs or drugs.

Smoking is prohibited.

Do not carry weapons of any kind.

Do not feed the animals.

– Proper storage of waste in landfills.

Pets are not allowed.

Fires are not allowed.

Food consumption is allowed only in the areas established by the Park.