Mirador el Silencio offers one of the best views of Arenal Volcano, as well as our favourite overall hiking trail in the area. You’ll walk through primary rainforest teeming with birdlife, and emerge from under the canopy to hike up a section of old lava flow, which takes you up to the most incredible volcano view. Arenal looms over a mass of jagged volcanic rock while toucans and swallow-tailed kites soar overhead.
It’s hard to believe that this was the cheapest hike we did in Arenal, yet easily the best, and the quietest! Although we enjoyed hiking at both Arenal 1968 and the Arenal National Park, if you only have the time for one, make it Mirador el Silencio.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Mirador el Silencio
The trail options
There are several different hiking trails at Mirador el Silencio. You can hike up through the rainforest on one of three different tracks and then use the Lava Trail to get to the Arenal viewpoint, before returning on a different track back to the ticket office again. This circuit option is generally around 6km total.
In terms of the three possible routes you can take to the viewpoint through the forest (rather unoriginally named trails 1, 3 and 4), I simply asked which was the most beautiful and was told trail 3. This is the one we took.
By happy coincidence, it’s also the easiest, as the trail is less steep than options 1 and 4.
If this is further than you want to walk, you can also drive to a second car park, much closer to the volcano viewpoint. From here you are just 450m (one way) from the volcano lookout, and can continue a further 100m to a second viewing area. This is a good option if you’re looking for something less strenuous.
As the trail up through the forest joins the Lava Trail, we also covered this section, so if you prefer the shorter walk, you can just skip through the trail notes for the earlier part of the walk.
The Mirador el Silencio walk
The stats
Distance: 6km circuit
Elevation gain: 325m
Difficulty: Moderate
The walk we are describing uses trail three to ascend through the forest, before joining the Lava Trail up to the main viewpoint. We then descended on trail two. This walk does have a fair bit of uphill, some short sections of which are steep (despite it being the easier route).
We were visiting in the dry season, although it had been very very wet on our visit, and despite this, the track was in good condition with very little mud. There are some bits with rocks and tree roots, but nothing overly challenging.
I’d say the path is a mix of well manicured and rustic, but nothing gnarly.
Although the path is well signposted, sometimes they didn’t label the signs with the same names as they had on the map. If you’re following the same route as us, we’ll point out where this was the case and which way to go.
Starting the trail
All trails from the ticket office share the same path for the first 320m. It’s worth noting that while the map calls the trails by number, the signs on the trail go by their name, which can make navigation confusing at times.
You’ll start off walking on a gravel path beside a field and then very quickly enter the forest.
You’ll pass over a small bridge and this is the junction between trails 1 (Sendero Los Arana), 3 (Sendero El Tabacon) and 4 (Sendero Manantial).
If you’re following track 3 (Sendero Tabacon) then you’ll head right. From here you enter the dense rainforest which is utterly beautiful. Although at first there is some distant road noise, the sounds of the birds and the insects soon take over and it’s a magical place to hike.
The noises were really similar to the rainforest soundtrack that I sometimes use to get to sleep, so I found it really soothing.
It was made all the more special because until we reached car park two, we didn’t see another soul - and this was in stark contrast to both the national park and Arenal 1968.
It was hard to believe we had this whole section of primary rainforest to ourselves!
Hiking up through the rainforest
Once you’ve been walking for 500m (from the car park) the climb begins. Given I knew we’d picked the easiest route, it was steeper than I’d been expecting.
It’s all stairs though, so the terrain is really good, and the gradient does slacken after 250m.
It’s also fully shaded by the forest canopy, which definitely makes it a lot easier. Whilst the track does continue to climb, there are now flat sections in between and small sets of steps, nothing that feels prolonged like the very first climb.
The jungle is gorgeous with strangler figs, epiphytes, twisted vines and so much more.
After you’ve been walking for just over 1.1km, you’ll come to a junction. There are three options here and none are signed as trail 3 or the Tabacon Track.
You need to head right, following the sign for Salida/Exit. You’ll continue up through the rainforest, with some slightly steeper sections again before emerging 300m later at your first Arenal viewpoint.
It’s a great view but somewhat distant, with plenty of forest in the foreground. However, this one is likely to be all yours, whereas the closer lookouts will likely have many people, so it’s nice to soak up what feels like your own private view.
As you continue along the trail, you’ll also see Lake Arenal, albeit not the best view of it.
To the Lava Trail
After the viewpoint you emerge from the forest for a bit and follow a dirt track with the volcano now in full view for several hundred metres.
We saw so many birds along this stretch, from motmots to green parakeets.
You’ll briefly re-enter the forest as you wind your way gently downhill and then you’ll emerge at a junction, this is 1.8km into the walk. Again you won’t see trail 3 signposted, but you want to turn right, following the sign for Lago Verde.
The track is open now, which for us on a cloudy day was no problem, but would get toasty on a very sunny day. The next 300m are all on a grassy dirt track heading uphill to the second car park.
This is likely where you’ll encounter people for the first time on the trail.
There are picnic benches and a good view of the volcano if you want to take a break.
The Lava Trail to the volcano viewpoints
The trail is signposted and begins on a gravel path that heads very gently uphill for 250m.
You’ll then enter a more rustic rocky track which takes you uphill through the forest.
After 200m you’ll emerge into the open and get a truly amazing view of Arenal Volcano.
There is a second viewpoint 100m away to the right, which fewer people seemed to go to.
Perhaps because it doesn’t necessarily look like the path continues on, and you’ve already got to a great view. It makes the second viewpoint more peaceful and I actually think it’s an even better view.
Both views have a vast lava field covered in jagged black rock and intermittent forest. Arenal looms over it all, and if you’re lucky enough to see the full cone (something we only got to see on one of our three hikes in the area) then you are going to be blown away. It really is a jaw dropping view.
At the second viewpoint there are a number of large rocks which make for a good place to sit and take it all in. We stayed for quite a while and were treated to so many bird sightings, our favourites are always the toucans, but we saw lots of different species here.
Normally when we write about volcano views, which can be tricky to see due to weather, we give lots of tips on how to check for cloud cover etc.
However, every single weather forecast we used in this area was totally inaccurate for Arenal, so your best bet is to eyeball the volcano from town and if you see a clear window, go for it and hope it lasts until you get there!
Heading to Lago Verde
When you’re ready to tear yourself away from Arenal, you head back to the first viewpoint and take the trail marked as Lago Verde.
The first few hundred metres are downhill on a rocky track before you hit some quite steep steps down through the forest. The stepped section has roped handrails to give a bit of support if needed.
Once at the bottom you can either continue the circuit, or take the short detour to Lago Verde. I would say that Lago Verde sounds a bit more exciting than it actually is.
We were expecting a lake with green water, but it actually just seemed to be covered in a thick layer of algae.
It’s kind of cool to see, but not a must do, and though the path is good, you do have to hike down to the lake and then back up again - so it depends how much energy you have at this point.
However the detour is only 100m each way so really, it’s not too much of a hardship. We also saw a couple of cute coatis and quite a few birds on the detour.
Descending through the rainforest
From the base of the descent from the Lava Trail, or from Largo Verde, it’s just a very short walk back to the second car park again. From here, to continue the circuit, you need to head briefly along the road.
Happily the road walking only lasts for 350m before you turn right and into the forest again, this is signposted as the Los Sanos trail.
The dirt/gravel path descends gently through the forest and it’s beautiful and peaceful once again. You’ll then hit a series of stairs continuing downhill. You will have a few flat sections and surprisingly a reasonable amount of uphill.
I’d assumed the whole of this section would be descending, but they definitely sneak a few hills in!
The forest is always absolutely stunning though, so it’s totally worth it. There was one tree in particular which had a mossy root that twisted its way down the path and was really quite something.
Close to the end of the trail there is a section of the descent which has some loose rock and is a bit rockier in general, however there is a metal wire in place, which helps if you’re a little less stable on your feet like I am.
After walking for 1.2km through the forest you’ll emerge on to the road and head right, steeply downhill. You’re now just 100m from the car park.
Overall, this was definitely our favourite walk in La Fortuna and our top recommend for volcano views.
Mirador el Silencio opening hours and entry fees
At time of writing Mirador el Silencio is open daily from 8am until 5pm. However, we were told we didn’t need to exit the park until 5.30pm, and in theory no one was rounding anyone up on the trail. I did notice that Google had different opening times, so do check the Mirador el Silencio website for up to date details in case it changes again.
The cost is 5000 colones per person (approx USD $9). There is likely a different cost for residents, but it doesn’t say on their website and we were obviously only told the foreigner price.
Getting to Mirador el Silencio
Mirador el Silencio is located 13km and roughly a 15 minute drive from La Fortuna. You park on the gravel area by the ticket office. You’ll find toilets here and behind the office is somewhere you can fill your water bottle if needed.
Where to stay in La Fortuna
Arenal Observatory Lodge
The Arenal Observatory is a pretty special place. The lodge has incredible views of the iconic Mount Arenal - even from the rooms!
The rooms are clean, comfortable and well away from the hustle and bustle of La Fortuna town.
It’s surrounded by nearly 900 acres of privately managed rainforest, there are walking trails and even a bird sanctuary on site.
Check the latest prices & availability on:
Apartamento Equipados RyA del Volcan
For those looking for a comfortable stay in a central location, this apartment is a great choice.
Apartamento Equipados RyA del Volcan is a short walk from the centre of La Fortuna, so you don’t have to worry about finding parking or paying for a taxi every time you go out for a meal.
The rooms are stylishly furnished, clean and have a small living area and kitchen for the times you don’t fancy eating out.
Check the latest prices & availability on:
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