Guidebook for San Isidro de El General

Casey
Guidebook for San Isidro de El General

Food Scene

Run by a retired ex-soccer player from Uruguay, this is the closest and best restaurant in San Isidro. Pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven, only choice, tender meats are used for the grill and the wine list is extraordinary. Live music (usually a solo act) is offered in the evenings and unlike most Tico restaurants the volume level is background pleasant, not blaring.
CANDOMBE PIZZERÍA Y PARRILLADA
Carretera Interamericana
Run by a retired ex-soccer player from Uruguay, this is the closest and best restaurant in San Isidro. Pizzas are baked in a wood-fired oven, only choice, tender meats are used for the grill and the wine list is extraordinary. Live music (usually a solo act) is offered in the evenings and unlike most Tico restaurants the volume level is background pleasant, not blaring.
San Isidro has the largest farmer's market in the Southern Zone, about the size of an American football field! It officially opens Wednesday afternoons, but the peak day is Thursday with some stalls still open Friday morning. It is a must-see and you can sample a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, locally-made baked goods and organic items there. Be sure to visit Ilena's booth (just ask) in the back corner as this is where a lot of tourists and expats hang out.
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Feria del Agricultor
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San Isidro has the largest farmer's market in the Southern Zone, about the size of an American football field! It officially opens Wednesday afternoons, but the peak day is Thursday with some stalls still open Friday morning. It is a must-see and you can sample a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, locally-made baked goods and organic items there. Be sure to visit Ilena's booth (just ask) in the back corner as this is where a lot of tourists and expats hang out.
The cheese maker here learned from the best, a Swiss master cheese maker. They have dozens of cheeses in various states of aging available for tastings in a cozy atmosphere. It's actually just an addendum to their house! If you grow tired from the local farmer's style cheeses in the stores, give them a visit, just about 30 minutes from our cabina.
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Quesos Canaan
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The cheese maker here learned from the best, a Swiss master cheese maker. They have dozens of cheeses in various states of aging available for tastings in a cozy atmosphere. It's actually just an addendum to their house! If you grow tired from the local farmer's style cheeses in the stores, give them a visit, just about 30 minutes from our cabina.
Fuego restaurant and microbrewery is a must-stop in Dominical. They feature a higher-end, non-typical menu full of delicious entrees accompanied by their own selection of micro-brewed draft beers in a pleasant, breezy building made mainly from bamboo. Live music most evenings.
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Fuego Brew Co.
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Fuego restaurant and microbrewery is a must-stop in Dominical. They feature a higher-end, non-typical menu full of delicious entrees accompanied by their own selection of micro-brewed draft beers in a pleasant, breezy building made mainly from bamboo. Live music most evenings.
Casa Villa is a real treat, located behind Valley Coffee in the Plaza Herrera mall downtown. Its location is away from the traffic noise. Indoor and covered outdoor seating is available. They offer both a typical Tico menu and the absolute best Japanese menu too! The sushi here is superb.
Restaurante Casa Villa
Casa Villa is a real treat, located behind Valley Coffee in the Plaza Herrera mall downtown. Its location is away from the traffic noise. Indoor and covered outdoor seating is available. They offer both a typical Tico menu and the absolute best Japanese menu too! The sushi here is superb.

Sightseeing

This long-established "zoo" of reptiles is extraordinary for getting up-close with the many snakes, lizards, turtles, birds and other creatures in a totally natural setting of lush flora. Run by U.S. expats for well over 10 years, who provide environments for the animals as close as possible to their natural habitat.
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Parque Reptilandia
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This long-established "zoo" of reptiles is extraordinary for getting up-close with the many snakes, lizards, turtles, birds and other creatures in a totally natural setting of lush flora. Run by U.S. expats for well over 10 years, who provide environments for the animals as close as possible to their natural habitat.
The sleepy, surfer's paradise of Domincal is just a 30 minute drive from the center of San Isidro de El General via a nicely paved highway. It hosts many unique restaurants and shops for tourists and locals alike. Between Dominical beach and Uvita and beyond there are many secluded, shady, uncrowded "boutique" beaches to be explored especially during weekdays. Remember, all the beaches in Costa Rica are public!
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Dominical Beach
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The sleepy, surfer's paradise of Domincal is just a 30 minute drive from the center of San Isidro de El General via a nicely paved highway. It hosts many unique restaurants and shops for tourists and locals alike. Between Dominical beach and Uvita and beyond there are many secluded, shady, uncrowded "boutique" beaches to be explored especially during weekdays. Remember, all the beaches in Costa Rica are public!
Mt. Chirripó is Costa Rica's highest mountain peak at over 12,000 feet. You need prior reservations to hike to the top (at least 2 days recommended), but the entire Chirripó valley is a great place to explore with many villages and access to the Chirripó River. To get there, follow the signs to the Chirripó National Parque past San Gerardo de Rivas.
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Cerro Chirripó
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Mt. Chirripó is Costa Rica's highest mountain peak at over 12,000 feet. You need prior reservations to hike to the top (at least 2 days recommended), but the entire Chirripó valley is a great place to explore with many villages and access to the Chirripó River. To get there, follow the signs to the Chirripó National Parque past San Gerardo de Rivas.
If you can't climb Mt. Chirripó, the extensive trails in this nature reserve at the base of the mountain are the next best thing. You will see waterfalls and crystal clear pools and many birds. The trails are steep in places, but walking sticks are provided.
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Cloudbridge Nature Reserve
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If you can't climb Mt. Chirripó, the extensive trails in this nature reserve at the base of the mountain are the next best thing. You will see waterfalls and crystal clear pools and many birds. The trails are steep in places, but walking sticks are provided.

Arts & Culture

The Boruca are an indigenous people who successfully resisted the Spanish invasion of Costa Rica hundreds of years ago. They have retained a remarkable amount of their cultural heritage. Their main village is less than an hour's drive from our cabin. They are most well-known for their stunning, carved and painted balsa wood masks that each contain a collection of important nature-based symbols such as large cats, parrots, snakes and so on. Visiting the village is a great half-day outing and the prices on the masks there are about half what local San Isidro shops will charge.
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Boruca people
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The Boruca are an indigenous people who successfully resisted the Spanish invasion of Costa Rica hundreds of years ago. They have retained a remarkable amount of their cultural heritage. Their main village is less than an hour's drive from our cabin. They are most well-known for their stunning, carved and painted balsa wood masks that each contain a collection of important nature-based symbols such as large cats, parrots, snakes and so on. Visiting the village is a great half-day outing and the prices on the masks there are about half what local San Isidro shops will charge.

Getting Around

MUSOC is a local bus line that runs mainly between San Isidro and San José, but also with lines heading south to Panamá. It runs from dawn to dusk hourly, sometimes on the half-hour and is very inexpensive (under $6 one-way to San José). There are also buses that regulary run (about 2-3 times a day) to Dominical on the coast and to most local towns.
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MUSOC Bus Station
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MUSOC is a local bus line that runs mainly between San Isidro and San José, but also with lines heading south to Panamá. It runs from dawn to dusk hourly, sometimes on the half-hour and is very inexpensive (under $6 one-way to San José). There are also buses that regulary run (about 2-3 times a day) to Dominical on the coast and to most local towns.

Entertainment & Activities

About a 40 minute drive from our cabina is a public hot springs that is very well maintained. The source of the heat is volcanic activity below Mt. Chirripó, the highest mountain in Costa Rica. It's a pleasant, family atmosphere and you can soak as long as you like. There is an orchid parks there as well and you can go hiking in nearby Mt. Chirripó National Park. Entrance for tourists is about $10 (NOTE: the pin on some Google Maps for this site are way off, so best to ask for directions.
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Aguas Termales Gevi
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About a 40 minute drive from our cabina is a public hot springs that is very well maintained. The source of the heat is volcanic activity below Mt. Chirripó, the highest mountain in Costa Rica. It's a pleasant, family atmosphere and you can soak as long as you like. There is an orchid parks there as well and you can go hiking in nearby Mt. Chirripó National Park. Entrance for tourists is about $10 (NOTE: the pin on some Google Maps for this site are way off, so best to ask for directions.
Hacienda Barú is just north of the beach town Dominical, only an hour's drive from our finca. They offer an outstanding zipline/nature hike tour with knowledgeable guides and in complete safety. It's more reasonably priced than other nearby zip lines too! Best time is the 8 AM tour as it's cooler then.
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Hacienda Barú Lodge
Costanera Sur
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Hacienda Barú is just north of the beach town Dominical, only an hour's drive from our finca. They offer an outstanding zipline/nature hike tour with knowledgeable guides and in complete safety. It's more reasonably priced than other nearby zip lines too! Best time is the 8 AM tour as it's cooler then.
The La Georgina restaurant is a gem high up on Cerro de La Muerte at 10,000 ft. elevation right on the Pan-Am highway just 40 minutes from the cabin. It was established in 1947, is roomy and has great Tico-typical food buffet style. The biggest attraction here besides the gardens and trails is at the back. There is a long counter with chairs and large picture windows. About every 10 feet, there is a hummingbird feeder just inches from the glass and usually all are full of a variety of hummingbirds competing for the nectar. It is a sight you will never forget. Also, be sure to browse the historic photos on the wall and the better-than-usual souvenirs.
Restaurante & Cabinas La Georgina
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The La Georgina restaurant is a gem high up on Cerro de La Muerte at 10,000 ft. elevation right on the Pan-Am highway just 40 minutes from the cabin. It was established in 1947, is roomy and has great Tico-typical food buffet style. The biggest attraction here besides the gardens and trails is at the back. There is a long counter with chairs and large picture windows. About every 10 feet, there is a hummingbird feeder just inches from the glass and usually all are full of a variety of hummingbirds competing for the nectar. It is a sight you will never forget. Also, be sure to browse the historic photos on the wall and the better-than-usual souvenirs.
One of Costa Rica's premier national parks is just an hour and a half drive from our farm. It features elevated walkways, two beaches with wave breaks (so no rip tides) and lots of chances for wildlife viewing including monkeys and raccoons. Do not miss it!
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Manuel Antonio
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One of Costa Rica's premier national parks is just an hour and a half drive from our farm. It features elevated walkways, two beaches with wave breaks (so no rip tides) and lots of chances for wildlife viewing including monkeys and raccoons. Do not miss it!

Essentials

San Isidro is a large town where you can purchase any type of goods with several places to choose from. There are many supermarkets, smaller shops, typical and fast-food restaurants, hardware stores, gas stations, mechanics, banks, etc. Check out El Angel restaurant for a quick, inexpensive bite of typical Costa Rican food in a roomy atmosphere across from the city bus station.
San Isidro Del General, Pérez Zeledon, San Jose, Costa Rica
San Isidro is a large town where you can purchase any type of goods with several places to choose from. There are many supermarkets, smaller shops, typical and fast-food restaurants, hardware stores, gas stations, mechanics, banks, etc. Check out El Angel restaurant for a quick, inexpensive bite of typical Costa Rican food in a roomy atmosphere across from the city bus station.

Parks & Nature

This quiet, well-maintained biological reserve is only 20 mins from our cabin and features well-groomed nature trails in a mountain forest setting. You can observe many indigenous species of flora and fauna. Check the website for hours.
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Centro Biológico Las Quebradas
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This quiet, well-maintained biological reserve is only 20 mins from our cabin and features well-groomed nature trails in a mountain forest setting. You can observe many indigenous species of flora and fauna. Check the website for hours.