Talari Mountain Lodge
Explore a Birdwatching Paradise Far Away from the Crowds!
Talari Mountain Lodge, in the El General Valley near San Isidro
Talari is a small, cosy mountain lodge in the El General Valley just outside San Isidro de El General, in the Southern Zone. The grounds run down to the El General river and are full of flowers and fruit trees, which is exactly why the birds come.
It is one of our team's favourites for birders, and a peaceful stop for anyone breaking the drive between the mountains and the southern beaches.
Why we choose it
- Birding from the terrace. The flowers and fruit trees draw species like the red-legged honeycreeper and the slaty spinetail, so you can bird before breakfast without leaving the grounds.
- Trails from river to forest. The lodge's own trails climb from the river up through the forest, with rare plants and trees along the way.
- Slow afternoons. There is a pool, a jacuzzi and hammocks with a view of the Talamanca range, which is how most guests end the day.
Rooms and views
The rooms were refurbished with private bathrooms and solar heated water. Each has a small fridge and a little terrace looking out over the gardens and the mountainside. They are simple, comfortable rooms for people who spend the day outdoors.
On the property
Meals are served in Talari's restaurant, with dinners freshly prepared and a rustic deck to eat on. Besides the birds, the property is home to butterflies, squirrels, iguanas, sloths and skunks. In the dry season the river at the bottom of the grounds is a lovely spot to watch birds bathing, with the Talamanca mountains behind.
Beyond the lodge, the San Isidro area is good birding country, and Los Cusingos and the Las Quebradas Biological Reserve are the two most popular places to go.
Location and getting there
Talari is on the edge of San Isidro de El General, the market town of the Southern Zone, which makes it an easy stop between San Gerardo de Dota and the beaches at Dominical and Uvita. We send you with a private driver. Read more about San Isidro de El General.
Hotels we book in San Isidro
From our own hotel records: stars, themes and amenities. Nothing here is a price.
| Talari Mountain Lodge | Hacienda AltaGracia | Mirador de Quetzales | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stars | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Spa | Not listed | Yes | Not listed |
| Team favourite | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Check availability | See hotel | See hotel |
Where it is
Your Costa Rican driver waits at arrivals and stops whenever you like on the way: fruit stands, a sloth in a tree, a bathroom.
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