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San Isidro de El General (sometimes referred to as Pérez Zeledón) is the capital and biggest city in the canton of Pérez Zeledon in South Pacific Costa Rica.
Understand
[edit | edit source]There is active commerce, lots of stores, schools, mechanics, hospitals, postal offices, etc. San Isidro de El General has a small but significant American retiree population.
San Isidro is the seat of the Municipalidad de Pérez Zeledón, the canton's local government, and the capital of the most populous canton in the Brunca Region. Life in town still runs around the twin-towered Catedral San Isidro Labrador and the Parque Central facing it — most errands and casual meetups happen within a few blocks of the park.
International Park La Amistad is near this city.
Get in
[edit | edit source]San Isidro d El General is located about 45 minutes from the Chirripo National Park trailhead in San Gerardo de Rivas, and 45 minutes from Dominical Beach. Buses are available from San José and also from Quepos via Dominical. The "Musoc" bus line is dependable, comfortable, and very affordable, having both its terminals (in San José and San Isidro) in central and convenient locations.
Get around
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San Isidro d El General is small enough and far more secure than San Jose to explore on foot without much complication. Taxis line up on the streets around the central park and throughout the city.
There is also a very reliable and efficient local bus transportation system that not only connects the various key locations of the city to each other, but the city itself to other localities of the Pérez Zeledón canton. The main bus terminal is in front of Coopeagri store in the central market complex. A short walking distance from the central park.
Most marked street parking downtown is metered and monitored Monday-Friday, roughly 8AM-5PM. The municipality's system is fully digital (no coins) — each block has a small sign with a QR code that opens the municipal parking page in your phone's browser to pay by card. Physical paper tickets are also sold by small vendors on the same block, but usually cost more than paying through the QR page.
See
[edit | edit source]The market complex in downtown is worth exploring. The city is small and pleasant to walk around and shop around for toiletries and other such things that one may need, although prices are considerably higher for many things (clothes, etc.) than in San José.
The Parque Central is the city's social hub — benches and jacaranda trees around the Monumento a la Madre, with a kiosco that fills with vendors and street musicians on weekends. Facing it is the modern twin-towered Catedral San Isidro Labrador, seat of the Diocese of San Isidro de El General and one of the most recognizable buildings in the Zona Sur.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Autentico Adventures. Go rafting down one of the three rivers that surround this area, the Rio General, Rio Savegre, and Rio Guabo. Also offers homestays into the rainforest. US$85 and up.
- 1 Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary, San Isidro, ☏ +506 2738-2070, +506 8659-2228. Mon-Sat 7AM-4PM, Sun 7AM-1PM. The home of Alexander Skutch, the famous birder, botanist and naturalist. He bought the land and named after the fiery-billed aracari. The region offers many more such birding opportunities. US$10 adult, US$2 child.
- Las Quebradas Biological Center (Centro Biológico Las Quebradas), Quebradas district, 8 km north of San Isidro de El General. 750 hectares protecting the watershed that supplies San Isidro's drinking water, run by the community foundation FUDEBIOL. Trails, a hanging bridge and a butterfly garden along the Quebradas River — an easy half-day trip for mid-elevation forest birding. confirm before visiting.
- Estadio Municipal de Pérez Zeledón, downtown San Isidro. Home of Municipal Pérez Zeledón, nicknamed the Guerreros del Sur (Southern Warriors), who play in Costa Rica's top football division. Built in 1953 and modernized since, it seats about 3,250 on synthetic turf right in the middle of downtown.
- Polideportivo, Barrio Las Américas. Mon-Sat 5AM-10PM, Sun 5AM-6PM. A big, well-used public sports complex with a pool, multiple courts, a walking track and a playground. Free community zumba classes draw a crowd. free.
Buy
[edit | edit source]There is a commercial center downtown, one mall in the southern end of town, and a new one about to open in December in the center of town. Not a big place for shopping, but visit the local market to see the culture, eat, and buy some fruits. Maxi-Bodega has many American food products. You can find several shoe stores with a selection of American brands. Some bargains can be found.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Calle 3 hosts the Feria del Productor Generaleño, one of Costa Rica's larger farmers' markets — over 200 vendors selling produce picked that same morning, plus meat, fish, cheese, honey and baked goods. The feria's own parking lot fills up fast in the morning.
The Mercado Municipal, a few blocks from Parque Central, is the everyday indoor market (not to be confused with the Feria, which only runs Wednesday and Thursday) — narrow covered aisles of butchers, produce stalls and florists, with small family sodas tucked between them. Open M-Th 6AM-3PM, F 7AM-3PM; closed weekends.
Eat
[edit | edit source]The central market is the place to eat like the locals do. There are lots of "soda" restaurants around and many of them are quite good and reasonably priced. Dishes with chicken and rice are usually done well. Many places serve fresh fruit juices that are delicious.
But if you want something more international, here are a few places:
- Chirripo Hotel, across the street from the main church in Centro. Hang out for many visitors and locals.
- Pizza Primavera, by PALI supermarket in the city center on the street behind CoopeAgri.
- Delicias Cafe, great people watching and meeting your friends, a good coffee place with great food
- Kukis fast food, next to Centro Comercial Pedro Pérez Zeledón
- Bazookas a mix of Costa Rican and American food, on the way to San Jose next to the Solis Gas Station
- Don Roberto (Soda) (150 m south of Escuela Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia), ☏ +506 2772-3348. Cafétería of a small family-run hotel — hearty Costa Rican breakfasts and casados made with quality ingredients.
- Pizzería Gustavo (near Abastecedor La California, downtown), ☏ +506 2771-8533. Neighborhood pizzeria turning out generous, family-style pizzas.
- Urban Restaurant (downtown San Isidro), ☏ +506 2771-2442. Fresh, health-focused menu — falafel wraps, smoothies and salads in a leafy garden setting; vegan-friendly.
- La Barra Cevichera, Barrio Palmares (a short drive southeast of downtown (25 m north of Matra)), ☏ +506 7276-1621. Fresh ceviche and arroz con camarones; gluten-free options available.
- Coffee Stop Authentic Costa Rican food and coffee, free Wi-Fi Internet, clean bathrooms just north of San Isidro
Drink
[edit | edit source]There are several popular bars in San Isidro de El General. Although the city is quite small, some of the best bars are a little off the beaten track. It is recommended to hire a taxi for bar-hopping. Below is a list and description of the best bars.
- La Cascada upstairs restaurant, local music, popular for locals and ex-pats alike.
- Bar de Brasilia karaoke and loud music, popular among the working class.
- Reyes several billiards tables and an open bar area.
- El Camaron very popular among younger Costa Ricans.
- Babalu a hip bar with a small cover charge at door.
- Basha-Pz popular dancing area and large bar. Plays American and local music. Very pleasant atmosphere.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are some small hotels where you can rent a room. The city is small, just look around.
- Los Crestones. On the road from Dominical, south from the SE corner of Plaza Central, opposite the football ground. Attentive and flexible staff; good value at US$50 (cash) for an upstairs room (November 2009.)
- The Chirripo. The most popular hotel for foreign travelers.
- La Princesa Hotel, about 3 km from the centre. The highest-rated hotel in San Isidro on public review sites, a bit outside downtown — a comfortable option if you don't mind a short drive.
- Hotel Zima, under 1 km from downtown. Central and walkable to the market, the cathedral and the bus terminals.
- Hotel Don Roberto, about 2 km from the centre. A small, well-reviewed hotel, though with far fewer reviews than the larger options in town.
- 1 Hotel Luckys, right in the centre of town. Under a kilometre from the park and the market — a central option for those who want to be within walking distance of everything.
- Valle Encantado, hillside above the river, edge of town. Wooden cabins with valley and river views; an on-site restaurant serves Argentinian grill, Italian and pizza.
- Villas del General, short walk from downtown. Self-contained apartment-style units with a full kitchen, balcony and mountain views — a good fit for longer stays or families.
Connect
[edit | edit source]External links
[edit | edit source]- PerezZeledon.com – independent, community-run visitor guide to the canton, covering Chirripó, waterfalls, birdwatching routes, lodging and local eateries
Go next
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