The commercial center of Costa Rica's Pérez Zeledón region sits 700 meters above sea level, with a farmers market, local cafes, and surrounding coffee plantations.
San Isidro de El General lies in a wide valley in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone, with coffee farms and mist-covered forests around it. As the main town in Pérez Zeledón, it’s a starting point for trips to Cerro Chirripó, the tallest mountain in the country, and beaches such as Dominical on the Pacific coast. On Saturdays, the farmers market fills with people buying ripe mangoes, pineapples, and handmade cheeses. The Symphonic Music School holds concerts in its auditorium, and the nearby cultural complex displays paintings by local artists. Family-owned eateries serve meals like rice with beans and grilled meat, and shops supply gear for hiking trails in the nearby mountains.
Hiking Cerro Chirripó and Visiting Cloudbridge Reserve
San Isidro de El General is the main hub for reaching Cerro Chirripó, a 12,533-foot peak. To climb it, you’ll start in San Gerardo de Rivas, 20 kilometers northeast, where the ranger station issues permits. Secure a spot at Crestones Base Camp months ahead through the National Park System website. Closer to town, Cloudbridge Nature Reserve has trails through forests recovering from past logging, leading to waterfalls such as Catarata Pacifica. Wear shoes with good grip for slippery paths, and keep an eye out for bright green quetzals in the trees.
Saturday Market and Food Spots
The Saturday market in San Isidro bursts with stalls selling fruits, vegetables, and fresh cheese from nearby farms. Try empanadas filled with chiverre squash or grab a bag of coffee roasted in the highlands. Restaurante Donde José prepares casados—plates of rice, beans, grilled meat, and fried plantains—near the central park. At Urban Farm Café, they use greens from their garden for salads and blend tropical fruits into smoothies. For pizza, Stella D’Italia bakes thin crusts topped with peppers and onions grown in the area.
Music, Art, and Festivals
The Symphonic Music School, supported by the National University, stages performances by student orchestras and visiting musicians. Next to it, the public library displays murals painted by artists from the region and hosts writing workshops. In February, the Fiesta de los Diablos in Rey Curre village highlights Boruca culture with dances featuring carved masks and traditional crafts. During May’s Fiesta Cívica, horse-drawn carts parade through town, and bands play folk music late into the night.
Waterfalls and Wildlife Reserves
Nauyaca Waterfalls, 30 minutes west along Route 243, drop 200 feet in two tiers. Join a horseback ride from the parking lot to reach pools where you can swim below the lower cascade. Los Cusingos Bird Reserve, 12 kilometers south, protects land once owned by bird expert Alexander Skutch. Walk its trails to see toucans and hear the calls of antbirds. At Las Quebradas Biological Station, 10 kilometers north, guides lead evening walks to spot frogs with red eyes and small mammals like kinkajous.
Weather and Transportation
Daytime temperatures in San Isidro stay near 75°F, dropping to the mid-60s after sunset. September and October bring daily rainstorms, but from December to April, skies often stay clear for hikes. Buses from San José’s Tracopa terminal take three hours via the Pan-American Highway, winding over the 10,800-foot Cerro de la Muerte pass—bring a sweater for stops here. If driving, refuel in town before heading to mountain trails, as gas stations are scarce outside the valley. Many lodgings, including Hacienda AltaGracia, offer rides to Chirripó trailheads for hikers starting before dawn.
Beaches and Parks Nearby
Dominical’s waves draw surfers 45 minutes west on Route 243, passing stands that sell lychees and coconut products. Manuel Antonio National Park, two hours northwest, has beaches and trails where you might see sloths; buses go directly from San Isidro’s terminal. Before traveling to Corcovado National Park, six hours south, buy rain jackets and trail snacks in town. Shared vans to Uvita or Puerto Jiménez leave each morning from hotels near the central park.
