A visit to the Pacific coast for a beach wind down; Arenal, in the north, the most spectacular volcano in Costa Rica (2-3 hours by road). Costa Rica is a tiny country so road journeys, even winding ones through the highlands, are relatively short. Some roads are in good condition while others require 4WD vehicles.

Monteverde Music Festival: Monteverde Institute, Jan - Apr. Informal sessions by jazz and classical artists.

GMT -5 hours.  

At 1,400m and frequently swathed in mist, Monteverde has cooler temperatures than the lowlands. It can rain at any time but most precipitation falls between May - Nov. This “green” season is quieter in terms of visitor numbers. The best months for bird-watching are Feb - Apr.

Spanish.

Colón. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs in San José and other major towns a UK credit or debit card. You may have to authorise your bank first, and withdrawals may be limited to amounts lower than in the UK. US dollars cash can be exchanged in banks and money exchanges (casas de cambio) too. Obtain your local currency before heading off to Monteverde.