I spent a long weekend in Belize exploring San Pedro and Caye Caulker, swimming with sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, flying over the Great Blue Hole, and staying at a beachfront hostel for less than $50 a night. This guide breaks down my full 72-hour itinerary, budget, where I stayed, what I ate, free things to do, and what I would pack differently next time for a quick and affordable Caribbean escape from Texas.

A Thanksgiving weekend in Costa Rica filled with volcano hikes, rainforest zip lining, hot springs, hostel life, and one unbelievably chaotic flight home. In this blog, I break down exactly how I spent 72 hours in La Fortuna, including my budget, where I stayed, what I packed, the tours I booked, and why Costa Rica continues to be one of my favorite quick international getaways.