With its source at a glacial lake 12,000 ft above sea level in Chirripó National Park, the Chirripó Pacífico River runs full force down the valley and past the entrance to Monte Azul on its way to the Pacific Ocean.

At 4,000 ft above sea level, Monte Azul Center for Art and Design spans 125 acres with one mile of riverfront. The river’s enormous boulders, lush banks and crystal
clear waters bestow mystical qualities to this beautiful country side.

For generations this part of the river was only passable across Puente de Aguas Claras (clear waters bridge). Since 2005 this has been the entrance to Monte Azul Center for Art and Design.

Constructed over three generations ago, the villagers built this structure using felled hardwood trees to span the 60 foot crossing, topping it with a wood planked roadway. In the fall of 2007 the bridge was replaced with a wider, modern concrete structure in order to accommodate the valley’s growing coffee and dairy production.

Monte Azul had the unique opportunity to reclaim the four virgin logs that spanned this river for decades. Exquisite examples of precious woods such as Tirrá, Madroño and Roble Encino now serve a new life as part of the exclusive Puente del Chirripó Collection.

We at Monte Azul Design believe the Puente del Chirripó Collection represents the finest tropical hardwoods available. The age of the wood and the many years of contact with the elements high above the raging Chirripó River left the wood with a deep, distinctive and earthy character.

Each piece is an original work of art. In addition to being imminently functional, these works will survive generations like the materials from which they were crafted. Our uniquely designed and crafted items are cut from weighty slabs of tropical hardwood and framed by hand-forged steel bases. The Master Woodworker at Monte Azul Designs, Rolando Mora, oversees the entire production from selecting the wood, to the design layout and the 14 separate layers of finish applied by our studio’s expert craftsmen (no tints or dyes are ever used, the colors are natural).

A certificate of authenticity indicating materials, source and specifications is provided
for each piece. The total number of pieces extracted from this reclaimed history is very limited and no two are alike in grain, size or shape. Each work, however, possesses the character and history of this magical place, the Land of Eternal Waters —the translation of the name Chirripó from the Talamanca language.

To purchase
New York 646 478 7038
Costa Rica +506 2742 5222, ext 222
shop@MonteAzulCR.com
We ship to most places, please contact for details.