Costa Rica is calling my name again! After some thorough research (and a lot of chatting with other travelers at my last hostel), I’ve pieced together a super budget-friendly route: start in San José, hop a public bus to La Fortuna, and then venture into Monteverde’s cloud forests. If you book buses directly at the terminals and stay in smaller, locally owned hostels, you’ll save enough cash to splurge on a zip-line tour or a guided night hike to spot rare wildlife. I’m working on a photo series capturing the vibrant hues of the rainforest—I swear my camera barely rests on my shoulder before I see something else worth photographing. Want to stretch your trip longer? Cook your own meals in the hostel kitchen, swap expensive tours for free hiking trails, and don’t be afraid to ask locals for their secret recommendations. The world is full of hidden gems if you know where to look.