Many of the accommodations in San Isidro are family-owned and operated, providing guests with an authentic Costa Rican experience.

San Isidro is a splendid gateway to fresh air and an outdoor lifestyle, from hiking Chirripo to exploring the cloud forests searching for the resplendent quetzal to fishing for trout.

<h2>Experience Authentic Costa Rica in San Isidro</h2>Before visitors even reach the charming city of San Isidro de El General, they'll pass through some of the most spectacular landscapes that Costa Rica has to offer.The PanAmerican Highway from San Jose passes through a stretch of road called the Cerro de la Muerte (the mountain of death). But, despite its fearsome name, travelers needn't fear the Cerro de la Muerte. Instead, they should simply enjoy the spectacular views as they traverse this 11,000-foot pass, from where they can view the Pacific coast and rugged mountains from above the clouds.After descending from the Cerro de la Muerte, travelers will find a lush valley through cloud forests and coffee farms. San Isidro is this valley, a community with a rich history and diverse culture. The local climate around San Isidro is ideal for growing fruit, particularly pineapples, and vendors line the streets. San Isidro is also a major producer of coffee and sugar.The mountains around San Isidro are covered in pristine cloud forests, making them a birdwatcher’s paradise. Many of the most elusive and exotic birds in Costa Rica, including the resplendent quetzal, make their home in the lush forests around the city - there's even a national park close by called Los Quetzales.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Adventurous visitors can also use San Isidro as a base for hiking the nearby Cerro Chirripo, Costa Rica's highest mountain, in another nearby national park named after the mountain.&nbsp;Heading back into town, away from the glorious natural surroundings, San Isidro is a quaint agricultural town. There's a fabulous Saturday market to visit, and the city also hosts some significant cultural events throughout the year.If you're passing through to hike Chirripo, check out nature, or visit the southern Pacific beaches, San Isidro is worth a glance. A couple of days add a great differential to any Costa Rican visit. Many of the restaurants in San Isidro serve locally-sourced produce. Fruit vendors can be found in San Isidro’s downtown district at virtually every turn. Visitors will enjoy a variety of Costa Rican staples at many of the city’s eateries.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846329/perez_zeledon_sunrise_mountains_panorama_view_0244406c41.jpg" alt="perez-zeledon-sunrise-mountains-panorama-view.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846330/thumbnail_perez_zeledon_sunrise_mountains_panorama_view_0244406c41.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846331/small_perez_zeledon_sunrise_mountains_panorama_view_0244406c41.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846331/medium_perez_zeledon_sunrise_mountains_panorama_view_0244406c41.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846330/large_perez_zeledon_sunrise_mountains_panorama_view_0244406c41.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h3>Best Time to Travel to San Isidro</h3>Visitors hoping to enjoy the Fiesta Civica should visit in February, while the parade dedicated to San Isidro takes place in May. During the green season months, which run from April to November, temperatures can be pretty cool due to the city’s elevation and location, so most travelers come in the dry season (December to March).<h3>Weather in San Isidro</h3>Temperatures in San Isidro are a little lower than elsewhere in Costa Rica due to the higher elevation of the city. Expect low-to-mid-60s to mid-70s F year-round and high humidity due to the surrounding forests. The heaviest rains fall during September and October.<h3>Is San Isidro Safe?</h3>San Isidro is safe, crime-wise, as a small town where most people know each other, like most rural communities in Costa Rica. Usual precautions apply, of course, but if you're sensible, you'll be fine. Other dangers in the area are mainly getting lost in the surrounding forests or hiking Chirripo without the necessary equipment or level of fitness needed.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846332/perez_zeledon_river_bridge_tourists_ab2952bdc6.jpg" alt="perez-zeledon-river-bridge-tourists.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846333/thumbnail_perez_zeledon_river_bridge_tourists_ab2952bdc6.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846334/small_perez_zeledon_river_bridge_tourists_ab2952bdc6.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846334/medium_perez_zeledon_river_bridge_tourists_ab2952bdc6.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648846333/large_perez_zeledon_river_bridge_tourists_ab2952bdc6.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<h2>Top Restaurants in San Isidro</h2>Urban Farm Cafe: This is a healthy option in town focusing on organic and local products. Specialties include salads, burritos, wraps, smoothies, and a good breakfast.&nbsp;Restaurante y Pizza Sabores: An excellent pizza choice. Every city has one - this is San Isidro's.&nbsp;Candombe: A steakhouse with massive and tasty portions. The pizza is excellent here, too.&nbsp;El Cafetín: A coffee and breakfast place with a great line in wraps.&nbsp;<h2>How to Get to San Isidro</h2>San Jose Airport (Airport Code SJO) outside San Jose is the closest international airport to San Isidro.<h3>Distance &amp; Driving Time to San Isidro</h3>From SJO Airport: 95 miles (153 kilometers), about 3 hours.All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers, which means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax. Our driver will get you to your destination.Those planning to drive to San Isidro from the airport should allow about three hours of driving time, plus an hour or so to arrange your car rental. Make sure you arrive in Costa Rica early enough in the day to not go at night - something we don't recommend, especially on the Cerro de Muerte and high mountain passes on this route.Once you have your car, get onto the PanAmerican Highway and head towards San Jose. Make sure you have Waze on here, as you have to negotiate your way through the southern part of the city, from Sabana Park, which you reach on the airport road, to that left turn at McDonald's and the straight shot through to Curridabat, an eastern suburb of San Jose. From here, look for signs for Tres Rios and Cartago, which will take you onto Ruta 2, part of the PanAmerican. Keep heading east, all the way to Cartago, staying on Ruta 2. Rule of thumb here: Stay on Ruta 2 - this is the road that will take you to the Panamanian border, but before that o San Isidro.After Cartago, the road will stay rising in elevation, and sooner or later, you'll find yourself in high mountains navigating switchbacks amid swirling clouds and thundering trucks. It's a hair-raising drive but a beautiful one. Don't leave the road, and after around 2.5 hours, you'll descend into San Isidro.

San Isidro

Hacienda AltaGracia

Laundry service

On-Site Tours

Panoramic Vistas

Complimentary Tours

Canopy Zip Line

Adrenaline

Arenal Volcano

Monteverde

Rincón de la Vieja

Tamarindo

Tortuguero

Flamingo Beach

Traditional Farm Experience

Culture

Savegre Valley

San Ramón

Santa Teresa

Horseback Riding

Nature & Wildlife

Nosara

Hermosa Beach

Manuel Antonio

Rio Perdido

Punta Islita

Jaco

Hanging Bridges and Rainforest Trail Hike

Hanging Bridges

Upala

Las Catalinas

Birdwatching with a Naturalist Guide 

Birdwatching

National Parks

Uvita

La Paz

Rio Celeste

Bajos del Toro

Corcovado

Golfito

Heredia

Pacuare

San Gerardo de Dota

Drake Bay

Hiking in Costa Rica

Hiking

Turrialba

Papagayo

Guanacaste 

Poás Volcano

Playa Avellanas

Liberia

Cahuita

Conchal Beach

Quepos

Isla Chiquita

San José

Puerto Jiménez

Los Sueños

Samara

Playa Langosta

Puerto Viejo

Esterillos

Countryside

Inland Costa Rica: Highlights

Islands in the Sky

Unique Costa Rica Adventure

Relax, Refresh, and Reconnect

Leisure Life

Infinity Pools... And Beyond!

Surf and Turf Classic

Remote & Cool

Classic Nature Getaway

San Isidro and Manuel Antonio

Above and Beyond

Off-the-Beaten-Path

#ResponsibleLuxury

Island Adventure

Costa Rica Cool

Costa Rica Highlands

white_wave_success_screen

frog_404_page

contact_page_bg

list_square

whitecard_waves

topo_background

youtube_icon

loader_image

login_prompt

login_step_1

login_step_2

rectangle_rotated

warning

about_us_frog_desktop

arrow_down

arrow_left

arrow_left_m

arrow_right

arrow_right_m

arrow_up

frog_request_quote

frog_success_screen

menu_arrow

no_image_found

no_suggestions_frog

profile_icon

profile_icon_hover

question_mark

sign_up_frog_mobile

success_screen_background

gray_background

namu_logo

raq_step_2

raq_step_3

frog_desktop_request_quote

checkbox_checked

aboutus_background

apple_icon

Find Your Trip

Travel Type

Activities

Unique Occasions

Vacation Ideas

Most Popular

Osa Peninsula

Guanacaste

Caribbean

Places

Hotels and Resorts

By Popular Location

Rentals

Stays

Thrill & Adventure

Wellness

Sports

To Do

Costa Rica Essentials

Renting a Car

Travel Tips

Helpful Answers

About Us

Our Identity

About

Contact

Top menu

Resort

Boutique

Unique

Eco-Lodge

Luxury Villa

Where to stay?

Stay

Add things to do.

Beach Fun

Relaxing

Waterfalls

When is your trip?

When

Design the trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica!

What

Beach

Volcano

Rainforest

Cloud Forest

Add places you want to visit.

Visit