Costa Rica Cloud Forest Foray
June 11-20th 2026
After last year’s successful foray, we are bringing it back once again for another adventure in Costa Rica. When thinking of Costa Rica, most people picture beaches or tropical forests, but we love taking people to the mountains! The Talamancan highlands hold ~90% of Costa Rica’s plants, with >30% being endemic species, appearing nowhere else on Earth.
Before ascending to the highest peaks that the country has to offer, we will spend a few days at a cloud forest research station in Monteverde. At Estación Biológica Monteverde, we’ll dive into three immersive days documenting the cloud forest’s fungal and plant diversity—tracking mushrooms and plants in their microhabitats. Night walks will reveal bioluminescent fungi and nocturnal invertebrates, and we will build a rich dataset of observations before heading to Talamanca. We’re opening this part of our journey up to Costa Ricans, inviting our Central American friends to join our forays and contribute to community science in Monteverde.
Costa Rica has a variety of ecosystems, but one in particular we plan to visit is a rarely-researched transition zone between treeline and snowline around 10,500ft elevation called páramo. These rugged, glacially-shaped landscapes contain a mosaic of grasslands, wetlands, and shrublands with a confluence of extremely interesting species.
In addition to páramo, we will also be exploring the high elevation oak forests, one of the richest and most intact ecosystems in Mesoamerica. These majestic woodlands are dominated by towering oaks such as Quercus costaricensis and Quercus copeyensis, reaching heights of 50 meters (165 ft). These biodiverse ecosystems are a vital refuge for rare species like tapirs, the resplendent quetzal, the emerald quick lizard, and Talamanca glass frog.
The maximum number for this event is 20 participants, and at the time of this writing 19 tickets remain. Last year, Joey’s audience sold out this event within 72 hours of releasing the tickets. We are announcing it here first, and you’ll have about a week to get your ticket before Joey starts advertising.
All Meals and Lodging are Included
This retreat is perfect for nature lovers eager to explore two of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking wilderness areas. We’ll stay in charming lodges with hiking trails that begin right from the properties. Guests will enjoy fresh, locally sourced meals prepared with traditional flavors and seasonal ingredients. Each dish will offer a taste of local culture. Let us know if you have dietary restrictions in the questionnaire.
Juicy Details are in the Questionnaire
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