Hostal Casa del Mono Cuco

All corners of the Caribbean Sea are famed for their fab beaches, and this part is no exception. You could spend many a day/week/the rest of your life on the beaches of San Antero, but it’s worth hauling yourself away to head up to Coveñas (20 minutes' drive). Up here is a vast 14-kilometre stretch of sand, flanked by a protected area of mangrove for a most scenic backdrop. Those mangroves are home to all sorts of wildlife, so it's worth signing up for a tour to see some of it. If you want guaranteed turtle and crocodile sightings, add in a trip to the nature reserve in San Antero (10 minutes) too. There’s plenty more wildlife beneath the waves, too – don scuba kit for dives and lessons in Coveñas to get down for a look. Swims in the sea are a must, of course, but it’s also worth planning a different kind of wallow – in the warm mud at Volcán de Lodo El Tesoro (15 minutes' drive), reputed to soften the skin. Don't worry about getting your kit all mucky, as the staff here can lend a hand to hose you off afterwards.