From the northern highlands, Nicaragua
Coffee, cacao, bananas, palm and orange trees. Cloud forest full of exotic birds. That's the lay of the land in the northern highlands.

My countryside alarm clock was the rhythmic beat of fresh tortillas being flattened by hand in the kitchen - a large stack is made in the morning to eat through the day. This was accompanied by the smell of homegrown coffee on the kitchen stove, a traditional burner being constantly stoked with more wood.

From Ometepe Islands, Nicaragua
I’ve never been much of a fan of time at the beach. But I had to admit that there was something rather special about this one. Perhaps it was because I knew, contrary to appearances, that it was fresh water of Lake Nicaragua, rather than ocean, lapping at the shore.

More likely it was the great volcano looming over us to our right, partly shrouded in mist. Even the local kayaker seemed to be as awestruck as me…

From Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
It seemed appropriate that, just as my guide was finishing his tale of Chico Largo - the diabolical figure associated with the Charco Verde Lagoon we were walking around - something should emerge from the murky green water.

This too was a chico – though not a big one – and happily far less diabolical. Showing no desire to capture my soul and turn me into a cow, he was more keen to show off the souls he had secured – a great little haul of fish.

From Rio Frío, Nicaragua
I’ve been glared at by many a Latin America border guard, but none quite so regal as the eagle perched above our little boat. We were sailing down the Rio Frio, entering Nicaragua from Costa Rica, and the captain had just swapped one flag for another.

A heron swooped, a lady paddled past in a dugout canoe and a river turtle oversaw proceedings from a submerged log. It felt like time had slowed down. All border crossings should be like this.

From Cahuita, Costa Rica
As I was headed back to the room for my bag, the gardener beckoned me over with a grin and a pointing finger. It took me a moment to spot him, or her, it’s pretty hard to tell – but there he/she was, tucking into the foliage barely 20m above my bungalow roof.

I whipped out my camera, and for one glorious moment those liquid brown eyes looked through the leaves, directly at me. I think it might have been a smile, you know.

From Cahuita, Costa Rica
I was curious - just how 'Caribbean' is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast? After dining on coconut fish I met a local guide in a Rastafarian hat, who pointed me towards a bar on the edge of the village. It was an open-sided structure, with waves lapping the shore directly in front, and I was soon swaying along to a full instrumental Bob Marley cover, with freestyled lyrics in both English and Spanish.

So, in other words, it's Caribbean enough for me.

From Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
"John, have you seen what’s behind you?" "Undoubtedly a massive crocodile, right? Ha ha." "Well, it’s not massive but…"

While it was probably just catching some rays, there seemed to be a hungry glint in its eye. The fact that it was actually slightly above our head height did not help improve things for the more squeamish members of the paddling party. Let’s just say some people found a sudden burst of pace…

From Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
First morning of my trip, I was up early, coffee in hand, dawn cacophony ringing all around. I just wanted to absorb it all.

I'd had my eye on, and my zoom trained on, a helicona flower. Losing track of time, I waited. When a hummingbird finally flitted into view, I sprang into action. The clatter of the shutter joined the chorus and from it emerged a photo so crisp that even the ant is in focus. It hangs in my hallway, so I see it every day.