Hiking Cerro Chato is a fabulous adventure and quite a challenging experience. The trail leads through a magnificent jungle scenery where you can spot different forms of wildlife. Chato Volcano is one of the world’s most amazing green crater lakes I’ve seen and also guess what? – you can swim in its emerald waters!
Cerro Chato is an inactive volcano in the Alajuela district located near the famous La Fortuna town, which is a great gateway for many magnificent hiking trails. Hiking Cerro Chato is one of the best adventures in the area and the hike is doable without a tour guide – here is everything you need to know before this adventurous trip 🐍.
How difficult is hiking Cerro Chato?
You will find some reviews describing Cerro Chato as a negative experience due to bad weather conditions. Hiking Cerro Chato is considered to be challenging by many hikers. The trail is known to be steep, slippery, and muddy, requiring careful navigation through sections with rocks, roots and clay. Some hikers have described it as the hardest hike of their lives (I would say the weather must have been really nasty).
Most importantly you need to have proper hiking shoes with good grip to navigate the tricky terrain. Take plenty of water, snacks and other essentials to be prepared for challenging conditions. Here is step-by-step guide on everything you need to know while planning this incredible adventure.
Starting point for hiking Cerro Chato.
STARTING POINT FOR HIKING CERRO CHATO: Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa.
On the way to Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa you’ll be able to witness an amazing view of Arenal Volcano. So you’ll start your hike from the entrance to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Arrive early in the day to enjoy cooler temperatures and to avoid crowds.
ENTRY FEE TO ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK: Residents: ¢ 500. Non-residents: US$ 15 (child US$ 5).
Can you visit Arenal Volcano without a tour guide?
Yes – it is possible to hike Arenal Volcano National Park and Cerro Chato without a guide. It is a great and safe option to explore this area independently. There is a trail map at the entrance, the paths are visible and hanging bridges are doable alone.
Almost everyone visiting Costa Rica is aiming to climb Cerro Chato to swim in a stunning emerald green crater. The trek up to the lagoon is one of the most challenging hikes in the region. A lot depends on the season and the route but if you are a good hiker it’s doable alone. You just need to be aware that this is a steep and sometimes muddy hike, and is recommended for hikers in good physical condition.
How much is a guide for hiking Cerro Chato?
After surfing the internet and discovering some horror stories about hiking Cerro Chato, we decided to take a tourist guide. The cost was $100 for 2 people. The majority of my hikes and climbs I do alone but we didn’t know what to expect after the reviews, so to be on the safe side we booked a leader – Lion. A wonderful local guide, who made hiking Cerro Chato an incredibly interesting experience by telling us local stories.
The trail to Cerro Chato is quite well visible and there are many people hiking the same route. The whole adventure takes about 5 hours.
The best attractions in Arenal Volcano National Park for adventure seekers 😉
Some top attractions available in Arenal Volcano National Park | Tripadvisor:
Arenal Valcano trek toward Cerro Chato hike.
Arenal Observatory is only a 15-minute drive from La Fortuna by car. You may want to trek like we did to admire the magnificent Arenal Volcano views.
The route that we took begins near the Observatory Lodge, which is located within the National Park, and it is 2.5 kilometers one way. The trail goes through the waterfall and you’ll quickly notice the rich biodiversity around you. The other waterfall is accessible from la Fortuna (15$ entrance). I would recommend choosing Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa as your starting point for Cerro Chato because of the fantastic views of Arenal Volcano on the way to Cero Chato. Secondly, it is a quite easy route.
Hiking Cerro Chato without a tour guide.
Hiking Cerro Chato without a tour guide is totally doable and it’s a beautiful trip for adventurous hikers. If you decide to go independently just try to gather as much information as possible about the trail, including the difficulty level and any necessary precautions. The hike to the summit of Cerro Chato can take approximately 1.5-2.5h hours each way, depending on your fitness level and weather conditions.
The trail is known to be strenuous, with narrow and steep sections, slippery spots, and tree roots to navigate. Get prepared with proper equipment, such as sturdy shoes, plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Additionally, it’s recommended to hike with a partner or in a group.
If you are accessing Cerro Chato from the Arenal Observatory you will find restaurants, wifi and indoor sitting areas.
At Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa.
Arenal Lodge Observatory is a beautiful hotel and this is where you need to pay an entrance fee to the national park. You can also ask for a hiking map in the hotel. There’s a magnificent view of Arenal Volcano from the hotel’s balcony. Arenal Volcano is an active, smoking volcano near La Fortuna city. It is NOT allowed to climb Arenal Volcano. We were staying few days in La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano was almost invisible because of the clouds. The day we hiked Cerro Chato the visibility was incredibly good and we could clearly see the smoking crater of Arenal Volcano!
Hiking Cerro Chato from Arenal Observatory.
Hiking Cerro Chato took us about 3.5 hours both ways. The last 200 meters you are hiking down toward the crater lake. It was cold and muddy but still, it was a unique chance to swim in an active green crater lake. While hiking Cerro Chato we met many groups of people going down alone but some of them said it was deadly scary! Some sections of the trail are narrow and full of slippery roots. The scenery is gorgeous but you should know you are entering higher-altitude cloud forest.
One of the top attractions is Poas Volcano – check full guide on how to get there HERE.
My next direction was Leon and the queen – the greatest Telica Volcano Hike – Only for adventurous hikers!
What to bring for hiking Cerro Chato?
Make sure you have proper hiking shoes with good grip, bring sufficient water and snacks, and hike with a partner or in a group. Bring lunch to enjoy at the crater lake.
Additionally, checking weather conditions and following any guidelines or regulations can contribute to a safer hiking experience.
You will be going through suspended bridges and don’t be surprised with snakes crossing your way. The bridges are safe to walk without a tour guide.
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