My top 10 picks for San Isidro de El General, all kid-friendly:
- Cloudbridge Natural Reserve: this private reserve is the perfect place for a day hike in the cloud forest, either self-guided or guided
- Ecochontales Waterfall: this waterfall is picturesque and gives you that classic outdoor adventure vibe you expect in Costa Rica, where you can swim and jump in the natural pool
- Jardines Secretos: this is another great place for hiking, but is on private hotel property and therefore requires a reservation for a guided tour in order to use
- Los Gigantes Sendero: this private family farm offers a 12 km out-and-back hike to the peak where a restaurant awaits you for a delicious meal at the top and a river awaits you for a refreshing dip at the bottom
- Quebradas Biological Center: this research center offers hiking trails with waterfalls, a lake, and viewpoints
- Finca Las Lajas: this private farm offers access to the river and natural pools on the property, as well as overnight camping
- Talamanca Nature Reserve: this nature reserve is on hotel property and therefore requires a day pass for non-guests to use the trails, and there are both self-guided and guided tour options
- Chirripo National Park: this national park has the tallest peak in Costa Rica, making it a popular destination for hikers, but requires advance reservations and usually overnight trips
- Topolandia: this unique destination consists of a network of underground tunnels dug out by hand over decades, as well as a museum and a restaurant
- Mirador La Faralla: this viewpoint is a great place for a picnic or overnight camping
Honorable mentions:
- Cocolandia: this is a water park with swimming pools and slides as well as other activities, perfect for a relaxing family day or a break from the adventures
- Cerro Ena: this is the second most popular peak in the area, after Cerro Chirripo, and offers a similar experience involving a long hike and for most, an overnight stay to reach the peak, and it is best to go with a local tour company if inexperienced
- Chapel in the Clouds: this unique destination consists of a “chapel”-style building that is used for group tours and overnight stays in the mountains with trails and a nearby waterfall
Restaurant picks:
- Nando’s Pizzeria: this is a pizzeria with a view of the mountains and a relaxing vibe nestled in nature