San Isidro de El General is the capital city of Perez Zeledon, a huge canton stretching from high in the Cordilleras nearly to Dominical on the Pacific coast.
Trvel guides often refer to San Isidro as a stopping point on the Interamericana highway heading south to the Osa peninsula. Apart from it being the gateway for hikers wishing to ascend Mount Chirripo, the highest peak in Costa Rica, the city and its environs offers visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy ‘rural’ tourism at its best. First, you need to get here!
Leaving San Jose and the central valley, the Interamericana highway passes through the original captital city of Cartago with its historical Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Our Lady of the Angels Basilica).
The highway climbs to the highest point in the Cordillera mountain range with unique paramo vegetation. Surrounding cloud forest, both on the ascent and descent, is home to many excellent lodges catering for birders in pursuit of the Resplendent Quetzal.
From the summit, the highway winds its way through montane forests with radiating valleys providing spectacular scenery.
The road descends into the valley of the Rio General, the fastest growing community in Costa Rica.
A rich agricultural area, local communities host many places to visit, including hiking trails, water falls, and farms which process sugar cane. Guides can be found in the Tourist office in the city centre park.
While Mount Chirripo attracts the healthy hill-walking enthusiasts, a visit to Los Cusingos, the home of the late Alexander Skutch, co-author of the Birds of Costa Rica, is a must for ornithologists. Cloudbridge Nature Reserve, on the edge of the Chirripo park at San Gerardo de Rivas, with spectacular waterfalls, is now a popular hot spot in our local community.
The city of San Isidro has a host of quality restaurants, and supermarkets for travelers needing to replenish their stocks. The Cathedral, dedicated to San Isidro, the patron saint of agriculture, is an iconic landmark worth a visit. The weekly ‘Feria’, on Thursdays and Fridays, is reputed to be the best farmers’ market in Costa Rica. With over 170 vendors, it is the ideal place to see the enormous range of tropical fruits, vegetables, and artisan food products of Costa Rica.
Welcome to San Isidro and Perez Zeledon - stop a while and enjoy what our beautiful community has to offer!
