Cerro de la Muerte, Mountain summit on Pan-American Highway, Costa Rica
Cerro de la Muerte is a mountain summit at 3,451 meters in Costa Rica's Talamanca Range. It marks the highest point along the Pan-American Highway and can be reached via a vehicle track or short walking trail.
The mountain earned its name in earlier times when travelers faced extreme conditions and needed days to cross the pass. Shelter stations were built between 1910 and 1912 to help people manage this dangerous route.
The mountain's name reflects the hardships travelers once faced on this route. Today, visitors can experience this history through old rest houses that still stand along the path.
The location is easily accessible from the Pan-American Highway, but weather can be unpredictable and foggy or windy. Bring warm clothing since temperatures drop significantly at this altitude.
Above 3,300 meters, a specialized páramo ecosystem thrives with dwarf bamboo and tree ferns. These rare plants reveal how life adapts to the extreme conditions found at this altitude.
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