One of the best hikes in La Fortuna is a secret.
Which is what we want, of course. Away with all those loser tourists.
The hike consists of a climb up and into the Chato Volcano. Or Cerro Chato, as it’s known here.
Yes, up and into. Don’t worry, it only erupts in the morning so go in the afternoon and you should be fine, for the most part.
Excuse my playful joke. No need to worry, the Chato Volcano hasn’t erupted in 3500 years. So your odds of survival are solid.
The last time Cerro Chato erupted, it left a massive crater in its center which has since been gradually filled with rainwater- resulting in an incredible volcanic crater lake.
It’s amazing how this hike has remained such an under-the-radar activity in La Fortuna. If you were to fly a drone over the area, aside from the massive Arenal Volcano nothing would stick out as much as Cerro Chato- yet hardly anyone knows it exists.
Why the Cerro Chato Hike Is La Fortuna’s Best Kept Secret
I heard about the Cerro Chato hike from a guy at a hostel in Manuel Antonio and tried it out, and ever since I’ve been recommending it to people. So far, only one person I’ve told has even been aware of its existence.
Beyond the secrecy, the Cerro Chato hike has a combination of all things that make a hike great.
First off, the scenery is incredible. Throughout the hike, you’re weaving your way up and through the dense jungle and feel completely enveloped by it. And as you crest the volcano, Arenal will poke up in all its glory (if it’s a clear day, that is).
Then there’s the physically challenging aspect of Cerro Chato that plays a role in it being one of the best hikes in La Fortuna.
The hike is no average walk up a trail. It’s quite difficult, and certainly not boring. For me, that’s exciting to hear. Hopefully that’s the case for you as well!
Then, of course, there’s the main feature- the crater lake.
Getting to swim in a volcanic crater skyrockets the quality of any hike, in my opinion. And that’s going to be your reward for making it to the end of Cerro Chato.
If this isn’t getting you excited, you may have come to the wrong page. It’s called The Bold Passport, after all.
But even if you’re nervous about the hike difficulty, just go for it. Trust me, if you’re in decent physical shape and have a good head on your shoulders, you’ll be perfectly fine. I have faith in you.
What to Know Before You Hike Cerro Chato
There are a few things to note before you commence your journey.
The official trail to Cerro Chato was actually shut down in 2017. Too dangerous or something of the sort (preposterous). The way in now is through the Green Lagoon Lodge, conveniently next to the La Fortuna Waterfall.
Bring some cash with you. You have to pay $15 USD at the entrance to the lodge to access the trail.
Think about your timing. The full hike takes around five hours, plus extra time if you want to swim in the lagoon (which you do), so plan for it. Go earlier in the day rather than later.
Bring company. The one major safety hazard I recommend you take is to not go alone. Same goes for most hikes, but few people do this hike so if something happens you want to make sure you have someone around to help. Plus, you save money on a cab.
Lastly, bring good hiking shoes, a bathing suit, and enough water and snacks. Having a nice little lunch by the lagoon is a vibe.
Note: Since they’re so close, I’d recommend you also visit La Fortuna Waterfall after you finish the hike and kill two birds with one stone. The waterfall entry cost is steep at $20, but it really is incredible and worth it unless you’re really pinching pennies.
How to Get to Cerro Chato
As I mentioned above, the entrance to Cerro Chato is at the Green Lagoon Lodge- about a ten minutes’ drive from the center of town.
There’s no public bus, so unless you have a car you’ll have to take a taxi. Plug in the Green Lagoon Lodge as your destination.
An Uber shouldn’t cost more than $6 or so.
Note: Click here to check out my other Costa Rica content once you’ve finished here! I’ve got some other hidden gems to share, specifically a waterfall near Manuel Antonio and beaches in Montezuma.
Note: The Cerro Chato hike is pinned on Offpath, my interactive map app of hidden gems from every destination I’ve visited around the world. Browse it to find more off-the-beaten-path spots like this!
The Cerro Chato Hike: Difficulty and What to Expect
As I alluded to above, the Cerro Chato hike isn’t exactly for the faint of heart. The entire hike is quite steep, and requires constant attention.
The hike is divided into two sections- the hike to the crest of the volcano, and the hike down to the lagoon. I’ll cover both of these in detail.
The Hike Up to the Crater
The hike up to the crest of the volcano is by far the longer portion of the hike, likely taking around two hours at a moderate pace.
The whole way up is pretty consistent, with a similar steepness throughout.
You’ll be using your hands early and often, as there are many sections that are very steep where you need to pull yourself up with rocks, tree branches/roots, or whatever else you can get a hold of.
There are also areas- as you can see in the picture below (or to the right)- that have large divots that you have to avoid. Another reason why you want a quality pair of shoes!
Right when you begin to really complain is when you’ll finally crest the volcano and get your first look at the lagoon- but you’ve still got work to do.
The Descent to the Lagoon
The hike down to the lagoon is a whole different animal.
If you thought the first part was steep, this next section makes it look like child’s play.
First of all, you’re now walking down- far more dangerous. Then there’s the added steepness itself, to the point where there are ropes that you’ll have to hold on to while descending (and ascending later) the steepest parts.
However, this section is quite short. It shouldn’t take you more than fifteen minutes, but be prepared to arrive at the bottom covered in mud.
I hope this is sounding as awesome to you all as it was for me. Danger? Ha! Sure, the Quebecois girl I was hiking with took a fall and ended up a few inches away from falling to certain death or at least grievous injury. But that’s just all part of the experience, guys. There’s no reward without a bit of risk.
Plus, she was having me video her at the time. A fabulous coincidence.
I’m joking around, but you really need to pay full, 100% attention at all times on this part of the hike.
When you finally get to the bottom, you can jump into the water and refresh yourself. Swimming in the middle of that lagoon with the jungle rising up around you on all sides is truly an experience.
And no need to worry, most of the crocodiles were removed so you should probably be fine.
