Chirripó National Park is located in the heart of the Talamanca Mountain Range, which was formed by a variety of geologic processes, including tectonic movement and volcanic activity. The formation began in the Superior Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period of the Cenozoic Era and concluded during the Inferior Meocene epoch, approximately 58 million years ago. More recently, the Talamanca Mountain Range also experienced glacial activity during the Pleistocene Epoch.

The highlands represent the most complete evolution of the Talamanca Mountain Range's orogenic and morphoclimatic characteristics. The relief forms and the litic materials here reveal the region's geologic history, while the presence of basaltic and andesitic rocks and tuffs provide evidence of prior volcanic activity.

The last glaciers retreated from this area about 10,000 years ago, but evidence of their presence can be seen by the region's many lakes and u-shaped valleys, such as Moraines' Valley, the Lakes' Valley, and the Rabbits' Valley. Striations can be observed on several of the rock beds in these valleys.

The human history of Chirripó National Park is still in its infancy. The highlands, specifically the paramo regions, were believed to be sacred by the indigenous people of the area, and for that reason they left many of the area's peaks unexplored. It is widely believed that man did not reach the summit of Cerro Chirripó Grande until 1904, when Agustín Blessing, a priest and missionary of the Talamanca Mountain Range, achieved the feat. Subsequent expeditions occurred in 1905, 1913, 1915, 1920, 1932, and 1942.

Since that time, many others have summitted Chirripó, the second highest peak in Central America. On August 19th, 1975, Chirripó National Park was officially established. The original territory of the park was expanded on March 31st, 1982.

Chirripó National Park encompasses an area of 50,150 hectares (approximately 195 square miles) and is part of La Amistad International Park (Costa Rica-Panama). The park is located on the Talamanca Mountain Range, 20 Km Northeast from San Isidro de El General.