WEST RUTE: Cerro de la Muerte
From San José, the route starts on the Florencio del Castillo highway towards Cartago, continuing to Cerro de la Muerte, Pérez Zeledón and finally deviating towards Dominical. The trip can last between three and three and a half hours depending on traffic. The distance is approximately 185 kilometers (114 miles) from San José.
It is a panoramic route, in which you can enjoy several different microclimates. At the top of Cerro de la Muerte the temperature can reach 3-4 ° C (37-39 ° F), with a paramo vegetation, unique in Costa Rica. The route goes next to the Los Quetzales National Park located in Cerro de la Muerte. Starting in Pérez Zeledón, the temperature becomes warmer as altitude lowers near sea level. One of the most interesting attractions of this sector of the route are the Nauyaca Waterfalls. The route finally reaches the Costanera Highway.