The Talamanca Range

The Cordillera de Talamanca is a mountain range that lies in the southeast half of Costa Rica and the far west of Panama. Much of the range and the area around it is included in La Amistad International Park, which also is shared between the two countries.


This range in the south of Costa Rica stretches from southwest of San José to beyond the border with Panama and contains the highest peaks of both Costa Rica and Panama, among them Cerro Chirripó at 3,820 metres (12,530 ft), and the more accessible high peak of Cerro de la Muerte.

The Talamanca Highlands has the largest remaining natural forest in Central America.


The scenic mountains and foothills contain impressive footprints of Quaternary glaciation, such as glacial cirques, lakes and valleys shaped by glaciers, phenomena not found elsewhere in the region. The property is a large and mostly intact part of the land-bridge where the faunas and floras of North and South America have met. The enormous variety of environmental conditions, such as microclimate and altitude leads to an impressive spectrum of ecosystems.


Many of the region’s large mammals have important populations within the property, overall 215 species of mammals have been recorded. Around 600 species of birds have been documented, as well as some 250 species of reptiles and amphibians and 115 species of freshwater fish.


Home to one-third of the country’s indigenous people, the canton ranks lowest in many key socioeconomic indicators, including human development, yet is home to some of the country’s richest biodiversity. In 1983 the Talamanca was declared a Unesco World Heritage site, there are five sites found in Costa Rica.

Project Amistosa

“Amistosa” is a proposed project that would connect the National Parks La Amistad (Talamanca Region), with Piedras Blancas, the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado.

The main goal is so that big mammals, such as jaguars and tapirs, could travel between these large tracts of land, making them a lot less vulnerable to inbreeding, climate change and becoming roadkill.

Adopt a jungle!

www.natureforfuture.org/en/adopt-jungle/

Authentic Culture

The Boruca tribe, with around 2,000 members, lives on a protected 140 km2 reserve in Costa Rica’s Talamanca region, where they have the right to self-governance. Known for their intricate mask-making, these masks are a powerful symbol of their cultural identity and connection to the land.

Important elevations

  • Cerro Chirripó – 3820 m (Costa Rica)
  • Cerro Ventisqueros – 3812 m (Costa Rica)
  • Cerro Terbi – 3760 m (Costa Rica)
  • Cerro Urán – 3660 m (Costa Rica)
  • Cerro Kamuk – 3554 m (Costa Rica)
  • Cerro de la Muerte – 3491 m (Costa Rica)
  • Cerro Durika – 3280 m (Costa Rica)

Mammals found in the Talamanca Range

Baird’s Tapir

Locally known as “danta,” this is a significant and iconic species of the country. They are Costa Rica’s largest terrestrial mammal, measuring between 29 to 42 inches at the shoulder, and weighing from 500 to 800 pounds. 

Photo by Villas Alturas

Ocelot

Ocelots are medium-sized cats with spotted fur that ranges in color from yellow to brown. Ocelots are solitary animals that only come together to mate. They are good climbers, jumpers, and swimmers, and can cross natural boundaries like rivers. You are very unlikely to see wildcats in the wild. They hide well, are mostly nocturnal, and avoid encounters with humans which they can smell from very far away.

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