The small surprises come first. A cloud settles on a mountain road before lunch, a stranger gives directions and ends up sharing a story, and the forest beyond the fence is louder at dawn than any city. Between two coasts and a spine of volcanic peaks, the country keeps handing you details you did not plan for.

The climate is tropical all year, with a dry season from December to April and a green, rainy season from May to November, and the highlands run cooler. A Local Friend keeps the plan flexible, so when the weather or your mood shifts, the day can change direction.