San Isidro de El General

Although San Isidro de El General has no major attractions, the bustling market town is a good place to have lunch, get cash at one of the many ATMs, or fill your tank—the main highway into town is lined with service stations, some operating 24 hours. Advice to map readers: there are other San Isidros in Costa Rica, but this is the only San Isidro de El General. Just to confuse matters more, this town also goes by the name Peréz Zeledón. The town is the jumping-off point for hiking the scenic highlands around San Gerardo de Rivas, and climbing the country’s highest peak, Mt. Chirripó. There’s also excellent bird-watching in nearby nature reserves, including the original homestead, now a museum, of famed ornithologist Alexander Skutch.