July 9 - 17th 2025
Join us at an eco-lodge nestled in the lush cloud forests of Costa Rica for an unforgettable event, surrounded by nature. Enjoy simple accommodations at two rustic ecoresorts along both sides of the continental divide. Immerse yourself in the tranquil atmosphere, where the soothing sounds of birds and breathtaking mountain views are the perfect backdrop to an educational experience. Hiking excursions depart daily on a large network of private trails. Tag along to discover rare species in a mountain paradise alongside botanists, mycologists, and local guest experts.
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ARE YOU READY TO SEE RARE SPECIES?
Primary Forest at 9,000ft
Joey Santore of Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't, irreverent superstar of plant ecology, will bring his signature blend of deep botanical knowledge, insolent humor, and streetwise storytelling.
Alan Rockefeller and Mandie Quark, founders of Mycena LLC, will bring deep fungal expertise and extensive field experience. Renowned mushroom photographers, together they inspire interest in mycology.
The team will collaborate with several local guides. Joey will work alongside a botanist, making plants engaging and accessible to anyone. Alan and Mandie will be working alongside a Costa Rican mycologist, for specialized identifications.
In addition to cloud forest, the group will visit the Talamanca páramo. Distinguished by its humid, cold climate and dramatic temperature fluctuations, the páramo is home to a remarkable diversity of life. The organisms in these unique high elevation grasslands are specially adapted to survive intense UV radiation, strong winds, and daily freeze-thaw cycles. One of the world’s fastest-evolving biodiversity hotspots, fungi in the paramo are understudied and almost 90% of plants are found nowhere else.
Event Details
Remote Accommodations
We will stay in a rustic eco-lodges featuring charming wooden façades, with panoramic mountain views.
Guests can chill in peaceful gardens and explore hiking trails that wind through highland landscapes straight from the properties. This is an ideal retreat for nature lovers in Costa Rica’s breathtaking wilderness.
Popup Research Station
We will transform the lodges into popup research stations, for immersive discovery. We will use the proximity to the forest to our advantage with hands-on field study.
Participants can attend workshops, join guided excursions, and contribute to biodiversity research in the Costa Rican highlands.
Authentic Meals
Guests will enjoy fresh, locally sourced meals prepared with traditional flavors and seasonal ingredients. Each dish will offer a taste of local culture.
Hearty and satisfying meals will provide nourishment for participants on our adventures. Please let us know in the questionnaire if you have any dietary restrictions!
Rainy Season
July is the rainy season, when forests are lush, vibrant, and teeming with life. Be prepared for misty mornings and afternoon showers, we recommend bringing warm comfy outdoor clothing and rain gear.
During this season fungi will flourish, streams run crystal clear, and the landscape bursts with bright colors and a symphony of wild sounds.
High Elevation Oak Forests
High elevation oak forests are one of the richest and most intact ecosystems in Mesoamerica. We will explore majestic woodlands dominated by towering oaks such as Quercus costaricensis and Quercus copeyensis, which can reach heights of up to 50 meters (165 feet).
These biodiverse ecosystems are a vital refuge for rare species like the tapirs, the resplendent quetzal, the emerald quick lizard, and Talamanca glass frog.
Páramo Costarricense
We will explore the biodiverse Costa Rican páramo. Sandwiched between treeline and snowline, the neotropical páramo is a truly singular environment found only in the mountains of Central America and the Andes.
These rugged, glacially-shaped landscapes contain a mosaic of grasslands, wetlands, and shrublands with a confluence of extremely interesting unknown plants and fungi.
Local Biodiversity
Thank you sooooo much for all the work you do in conversation and sharing your knowledge with all of us. Not only was the trip amazing, but I think the community you were able to build will result in lasting friendships. This was the trip of a lifetime - I am so grateful I found the advertisement and signed up!
- Anonymous participant, Ecuador Adventure Foray 2025
This trip [to Colombia] exceeded every expectation I had. Cannot recommend Alan and Mandie enough! The guides and all the other attendees on the trip were equally amazing. I hope to attend many more Mycena forays in the future!
- Plum, Colombia Foray 2024
I cried when we got home. The entire group connectedness and flow of our trip was quite unique and special. I did not expect to have such a deep and enriching experience, especially since I'm not a scientist. But your group experience is what I aspire toward.
- Miranda, Ecuador Adventure Foray 2025
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Secure your spot for authentic adventures and expert-led explorations. Experience the carefree pura vida lifestyle in Costa Rica!
