Chato Volcano

Cerro Chato, Crater Lake

The Cerro Chato is a 1140 m high volcano in the north -west of Costa Rica. It is located in the province of Alajuela in La Fortuna, right next to the Arenal Volcano. The first outbreak of Chato volcano was probably about 38,000 years ago and the last 3500 years ago. Since then, the volcano is inactive. One of the earlier lava flows paved the way for the Río Fortuna and La Fortuna Waterfall. There are two peaks on the Chato Volcano, the Chatito and Espina.

In the crater there is an approximately 500 -foot-tall crater lake, Laguna Cerro Chato is called. The volcano is a popular tourist attraction and it is from La Fortuna and the Observatory Lodge numerous trips to the Fortuna waterfall and to the crater lake offered.