Cerro Chato ANC Park & Gardens
Cerro Chato ANC Park & Gardens
4.5
About
Green Lagoon Arenal Nature Conservancy Park & Gardens is a private park, trails & gardens preserve within its 400 acre property. It is the closest property to the extinct Cerro Chato Volcano, its crater's green lagoon and the Fortuna Waterfall. There is a $10 fee charge at the Green Lagoon Info Center or at the Green Lagoon Lodge to take this hiking tour. Parking facilities at no cost are available at the lodge. The trails also lead to the Wildlife and Rainforest Preserve within the 400 acre private property. You will have magnificent views to mountains, Arenal Volcano and the Valley of San Carlos here. If you decide to hike to the summit of Cerro Chato, the lagoon or to the view point of Arenal Volcano at the summit, you will do it under your own risk and responsibility.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
354 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
99
Average
29
Poor
13
Terrible
3
RoserS
2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Hi, I see now my review about our experience in August 2016 It's not in. The young Lady at the reception informed us this was a proper trail for a 8 year and 14 year old boys, and It's not, at all. When we came back and told her answer was really disgusting. Unprofessional staff at that time in the entrance desk, I hope they're improving t'he selection and she's not on there anymore. Bé sure to get t'he proper info if you think to go with kids
Written 6 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julianne O'Connell
Athens, GA99 contributions
Dec 2019
We did this hike our first day in Arenal and to be honest, it is a good thing we did, because we may not have had the stamina for it later in the week! This is truly one of the best-value excursions in Arenal area because you can do it on your own, it takes the whole day and the entrance fee is only $15 (expensive by US park standards but pretty reasonable for La Fortuna.
The hike is pretty well marked but not very well-traveled so it feels like you are bushwacking at times. We had to use cairns twice to find the right trail and most of the time we were assuming we were on the right path because everything else was pure nature. You cross a few bridges and creeks, the mud was 2 feet deep in one place, so definitely do not hike in your best and brightest sneakers. At one point you are using all fours to climb strait up a wall of green and rock. You don't need to be a technical climber but some amount of cardio-vascular health is needed.
It is 3 hours in both directions plus however long you want to spend at the top. We swam and ate a snack so factored in another 30 minutes. Bring lots of water and be prepared for a beautiful challenge. When Lake Arenal and the volcano are visible through the trees it is truly stunning and the view at the top, plus the change to swim in an actual volcano, is really remarkable! I would recommend this hike to anyone and would definitely do it again!
Also, we went to Rio Chollin afterward and enjoyed the free hot springs as a reward for our hard hike - it was a great and cheap day of adventure!
The hike is pretty well marked but not very well-traveled so it feels like you are bushwacking at times. We had to use cairns twice to find the right trail and most of the time we were assuming we were on the right path because everything else was pure nature. You cross a few bridges and creeks, the mud was 2 feet deep in one place, so definitely do not hike in your best and brightest sneakers. At one point you are using all fours to climb strait up a wall of green and rock. You don't need to be a technical climber but some amount of cardio-vascular health is needed.
It is 3 hours in both directions plus however long you want to spend at the top. We swam and ate a snack so factored in another 30 minutes. Bring lots of water and be prepared for a beautiful challenge. When Lake Arenal and the volcano are visible through the trees it is truly stunning and the view at the top, plus the change to swim in an actual volcano, is really remarkable! I would recommend this hike to anyone and would definitely do it again!
Also, we went to Rio Chollin afterward and enjoyed the free hot springs as a reward for our hard hike - it was a great and cheap day of adventure!
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivier M
5 contributions
Dec 2019
Beautiful, but definitely not easy hike ! Seriously, this is not for everybody. It is not long at all but VERY steep. Views and nature absolutely gorgeous.
Written 21 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephanToronto
Toronto840 contributions
Jul 2019
We did it in July si it was hot. We had to stop a few times to catch our breath and drink water. For the final strech we followed experienced hikers to give us the motivation. It was all worth it. What sceneray! The trail is rough and steep so you need proper shoes. Coming down is chellenging too because of the rocks and roots. Prepare in advance with proper clothes, food and drinks.
Written 10 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika
Caracas, Venezuela9,856 contributions
Sept 2019
We did a great trekking in cerro el chato and it was amazing. Is virgin nature and there is no path.
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tahua B.
61 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
The jungle is beautiful, as everywhere in Costa Rica. A highlight is the crater lake, especially if you dare to climb down and take a swim. But the trails are in horrible condition and very steep. There are trails from the Green Lagoon Hotel (near the waterfall) and from the Observatory Lodge (maybe closed these days), and they are equally strenous. If you choose the first option, go for dinner at the Green Lagoon. They welcome you no matter how muddy you are and food is exceptional.
Written 11 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura Cleveland
Fraser, CO51 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
It was better than we expected. A true adventure! We were in the jungle for 4 - 5 hours, then to the hot river plus so many other features. Not for the non-adventurer type. It would be a challenge if you aren't in good shape. Enjoyed it to the fullest!
Written 22 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abollwerk
Parker, CO65 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This was a spectacular Waterfall in Volcano area. Walk 500 steps down in to canyon to see waterfall and went swimming, took pictures and had a lunch. The trip back up is again 500 steps and quite a climb. Plan for at least an hour there or more. It does cost $15 dollars per person to take this trip in this Park.
Written 25 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure beyond imagination
Munich, Germany14,739 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Amazing place for discovering the huge variety of fauna and flora in Costa Rica. Feel the breeze and smell-as in paradise.
Written 22 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElenaV7
New York City, NY11 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
not an easy hike and you have to do it on your own risk. the government closed the path.It has been totally eroded by the heavy rains and all. But if you are up for a challenge, then DO IT!
Written 6 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raemac2015
Coldspring, TX6 contributions
How for is this Pub from the Marriott Heathrow Hotel
jimdandyofor
Bend, OR201 contributions
Bahahahaha
antormarchi
96 contributions
Which is the best side to start at? Going in May. What time should we start? Is there transportation to the entrance from and back to town? Thanks
travels_ahoy
London, UK354 contributions
We climbed Cerro Chato about a month ago, and started on the Arenal Observatory side before coming down the La Fortuna waterfall side. To get to either starting point you'll probably want a car/taxi - you can walk to the waterfall side starting point from town, but it's about 4-6km and given that you're just about to climb a big hill, you probably want to save your energy :)
From what we saw/climbed, I would say the Observatory side was harder as it is steeper on that side, and at times it's more of a "scramble" holding onto tree roots etc than it is a "climb". Also, the waterfall side has rough steps cut into the ground for a lot of the walk which makes things easier - no such assistance on the observatory side.
We got a taxi to take us to the Arenal Observatory Lodge, which is where the walk starts from on that side - I think it cost about $25. You then need to pay to go through the lodge grounds - $8 maybe? We then went up the observatory side, down into the crater, back out of the crater, down the waterfall side, and then walked to the waterfall and spent some time there before walking back into town. In total, it probably took us about 7 hours, but if you just did a straight climb up and then down it would be a lot quicker.
I'd advise starting fairly early in the morning, as the weather tends to be better then, and whichever side you start from, I would not advise climbing if it is forecasted to rain - the paths on both side are made of mud, and if it rains it will become much much harder to climb - and probably slightly dangerous.
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Claim your listingCERRO CHATO ANC PARK & GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Cerro Chato ANC Park & Gardens
- Hotels near Cerro Chato ANC Park & Gardens:
- (0.88 km) Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis
- (0.45 km) GreenLagoon Wellbeing Resort
- (1.45 km) Brisas Arenal Hotel
- (0.51 km) GreenLagoon Arenal Waterfall Villas
- (1.84 km) Hotel Lomas del Volcan
- Restaurants near Cerro Chato ANC Park & Gardens:
- (0.74 km) RÃo Lounge
- (0.77 km) Los Anticuchos
- (3.85 km) Casa Fortuna Restaurante Familiar
- (3.97 km) Tiquicia Restaurant
- (3.07 km) Red Frog Coffee Roaster