• Discover a mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture in the capital San José. Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional (website: www.teatronacional.go.cr), the Legislative Assembly building and the Catedral Metropolitana. The National Museum (website: www.museocostarica.go.cr) and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold (website: www.museosdelbancocentral.org) are also worth a visit.

• Explore the cities around San José. The nearby town of Cartago was founded in 1563 as the first capital; although earthquakes destroyed most historic buildings, the Basilica is an astonishing architectural gem. Excursions can be made from here to the beautiful valley of Orosi, with its colonial church - the oldest in Costa Rica.

• Admire Arenal volcano as it erupts in a spectacular show of pyrotechnics. It has been particularly active over the past few years. Although the lava is difficult to see by day, at night on cloudless nights it can be seen running and tumbling down the flanks.

• Wander the historic centre of Liberia, which is home to the most typical colonial-era architecture in the nation. Most important buildings are concentrated along and around Calle Real, one block east of the main plaza.

• Learn something about Costa Rica's neglected contemporary indigenous cultures at the Centro Neotrópico Sapapiquí (website: www.sarapiquis.org), in the Northern Lowlands. This superb museums honours the various tribes and exhibits examples of their pottery, bows and arrows, clothing and other artefacts, and shows a fascinating video.

• Witness marine turtles laying their eggs in soft sands along both Caribbean and Pacific shores. Strict rules are enforced when viewing hawksbill, green, loggerhead, Ridley and leatherback turtles, which lay at predictable times of year. Tortuguero National Park is one of the best places.

• View wildlife at Zoo Ave (website: www.zooave.org) before seeking the creatures in the wild. This superb site exhibits most of the critters and birds you're likely to find, plus most of those that you're not likely to see, such as jaguars, tapirs and snakes.

• Explore Tortuguero National Park by boat to admire the rainforest. The various levels of soaring forest ecosystem are easily identified from the canals, and a guide can explain the ecology of each level and the various common species, including sloths and monkeys.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.