Location & Size: San José, Cartago and Limón Provinces in the Talamanca Mountain Range. La Amistad Park extends to the Panamá Border. Both parks have a combined size of: 50,150 Ha. (Chirripó) and 193,929 Ha. (Amistad).

Characteristics: Declared a "Biosphere Reserve" by Unesco in 1982, both parks comprise the most biologically diverse area in Costa Rica and the largest unspoiled forest. Chirripó peak is the highest mountain in Costa Rica.

Fauna: 400 species of birds: Resplendent Quetzal, crested eagle, red-tailed hawk, volcano hummingbird, black guan, crowned wren-thrush, elegant trogon and acornwood pecker.

Mammals: 215 species of mamals, among them: puma, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi, white-lipped peccary, cacomistle and the largest population of tapirs.

Also, there are some 263 species of amphibians and reptiles with species such as Gerrhonotus monticolus lizard and the mountain salamander. Also, 115 species of fish.

Flora: Paramos (with stunted Andean-type woodlands), highland marshlands, oak forests, madrono forests, fern groves and mixed forests, with species such as: batamba, oak, sweet cedar, nargusta, elm, Poás magnolia, ira, cypress and manni.

Importance of the Park: Protect the country's largest stand of virgin forest and the extraordinary number of habitats due to the differences in altitude, topography, soil type and climate. In particular the glacial forms that have been preserved such as: small glacial valleys, morrain deposits, lakes and cirques, shaped as much as much as 30,000 years ago.

Visitor facilities: Trails.