Cerro de la Muerte: Costa Rica from the top
Visit Cerro de la Muerte, one of the highest points in Costa Rica. This place full of mystery is a good destination for adventurers.
The Hill
Cerro de la Muerte or Cerro Buenavista is a hill that belongs to the Talamanca mountain range, in the central mountainous axis of Costa Rica, between the towns of Ojo de Agua (Cartago) and La Muerte (San José).
This hill has an altitude of 3491 m and is a very cold place (in fact, it is its most important characteristic) since its temperatures do not exceed 12 degrees Celsius. If you wish to visit this area, remember to dress warmly.
Due to its climate, the vegetation is composed of oaks and paramo. As for the fauna, this area is home to animals such as the tapir, ocelot, tepezcuintle, jaguarundi, deer, coati and raccoon.
It is actually an ideal destination for bird lovers and for those who practice bird watching. Here you can admire hummingbirds, guans, hawks, parrots, pigeons, parakeets, goldfinches, partridges and eagles.
Why this name?
It is true that the name of the hill is a bit dark, but this is due to the things that happened during the colonization.
Indeed, during the colonization of southern Costa Rica, the Spaniards had to cross the hill to get from San José to the Valle del General. This journey could take between 4 and 5 days, under inhospitable conditions: solitude, low temperatures, storms and rocky roads. Legend has it that many of the people who tried to cross this area ended up dying from the intense cold of the night.
Due to the name of the Cerro and this legend, urban stories have also emerged, such as women appearing to night drivers.
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Activities
But daytime is another story.
Here you can admire the flora and fauna of the Costa Rican paramo, go trekking, bird watching, trout fishing and horseback riding on the trails.
Some of the most outstanding hills are Buenavista, Frío, Páramo, Sákira, Sábila, Zacatales, Asunción, Vueltas, Estaquero, Jaboncillos, Dota and El Guarco.
In addition, there are several parks to visit such as Tapanti National Park and Los Quetzales National Park.
Sensorial Sunsets
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