I always send clients to Arenal Volcano in the northern lowlands — a near-perfect cone rising 1,670 metres above hot springs, hanging bridges, and dense rainforest. The natural thermal pools at the base, fed by the volcano's own geothermal energy, feel amazing after a day of hiking. The La Fortuna waterfall is a 20-minute walk from the road and worth every minute.

I love Manuel Antonio National Park for how much biodiversity it packs into a small space: three-toed sloths hang from cecropia trees just metres from white-sand beaches, scarlet macaws fly overhead, and white-faced capuchins put on a show in the canopy. The Pacific bay at the park entrance is one of the most beautiful views I've seen in Central America.

For something completely different, I recommend Monteverde's cloud forest reserve — cool, misty, alive with the calls of resplendent quetzals and bellbirds. I always arrange a dawn guided walk with a naturalist who can pick out the subtlest sounds; it's transformative every time.

I remind clients Costa Rica's wildlife isn't confined to reserves — sea turtles nest on the Caribbean coast, humpback whales pass the Osa Peninsula, tapirs wander the forests around Corcovado. I always design my itineraries around private guides with deep local knowledge, so every encounter is unhurried and respectful.