As a natural realm, it spans so many worlds: forests rich in primates and other wildlife, tropical beaches watched over by a volcano, highlands animated by traditional villages and cultures. This steamy place has swagger, a joyous musical soundtrack, and a culinary story with hot, colorful sauces atop local fresh ingredients. Because it is one of the continent’s lesser-visited countries, questions of when to go inevitably revolve around the weather rather than picking an offseason time to avoid crowds.