San Isidro del General

General Information:

Location: 84 miles southeast of San Jose and 40 miles south of San Gerardo de Dota on the Interamericana (Highway 2)

Weather: Warm days and cool evenings; the dry season runs from December through April.

Temperature:  64-87 °F year-round

Altitude: 2317 feet above sea level

Discover San Isidro del General on our travel blog

About:

Situated in Costa Rica’s fertile Southern Zone, the booming metropolis of San Isidro del General is the gateway to southern Costa Rica. From San Jose, the scenic Interamericana Highway gradually climbs over the Talamanca Mountains, crossing the Cerro de la Muerte before steeply descending into a lush river valley, where San Isidro del General lies.

Commonly referred to as Perez Zeledon, after the county where it resides, San Isidro is your typical blue-collar town, with activity centered around a nicely remodeled central park. The region’s largest town, it is a major agricultural and transportation hub.

The city is often a point of transit for travelers en route to nearby Chirripo National Parkor the South Pacific Coast. Modern hotels, restaurants and internet cafes are plentiful, and travelers can stock up on food and sundries in the town’s supermarkets and pharmacies.

On the outskirts of San Isidro, visitors can stop by Las Quebradas Biological Center, a 750-acre community reserve with hiking trails and a butterfly garden. Avid birders will enjoy Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary, renowned for its avian diversity and peaceful nature trails.

Get a bird’s eye view of the valley while zooming above the treetops on the area’s newest zip-line canopy adventure. Local tour companies also offer specialized birding tours and multi-day treks to Chirripo Mountain, the nation’s tallest peak.

The town and its surrounding communities host a variety of festivals, including an annual cattle show and fair, held each February. The nearby Boruca Indian village of Rey Curre celebrates the Fiesta de Los Diablos – a wonderful spot to pick up traditional masks and decorations.

A three-hour drive from San Jose, San Isidro now boasts a newly-paved highway to the south Pacific beach town of Dominical. The journey takes less than an hour and passes through picturesque villages and farming communities.

See a map of the San Jose to San Isidro del General driving route, or read our detailed San Isidro del General driving directions.