Costa Rica
Cloud Forest & Volcano Foray
June 7-13, 2026
Cloud Forest & Volcano Foray
June 7–13, 2026 · Monteverde & La Fortuna, Costa Rica
From mist-draped cloud forest to the shadow of Arenal Volcano, this MycoTreks adventure is designed for travelers who want to experience Costa Rica through the lens of fungi, biodiversity, and deep immersion in place. This trip combines guided fungal forays, unforgettable wildlife encounters, beautiful lodging, excellent food, and the flexibility to shape the experience around what matters most to you.
We’ll begin in Monteverde, where we’ll stay in a private residence in the cloud forests of the Tilarán Mountain Range, just one mile from the famed Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. After several days exploring this legendary region, we’ll travel around Lake Arenal to La Fortuna, where we’ll spend the rest of the tour with some of the best views of Arenal Volcano and easy access to hot springs, trails, and optional adventure activities.
As always, our goal is not just to bring you somewhere beautiful. It’s to help you experience it deeply.
-
Trip Overview
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Dates: June 7–13, 2026
Locations: Monteverde and La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Arrival Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Meals Included: Dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
Group Transportation Included: Yes
Nature Reserve Entrance Fees Included: Yes
Lodging
June 7–10:
Rainbow House and Cabin
A private residence in Monteverde nestled in the cloud forest, just 1 mile from Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
June 10–13:
Hotel Campo Verde
Our La Fortuna home base with outstanding views of Arenal Volcano and close proximity to Tabacón and El Chollín Hot Springs. Hotel Campo Verde describes itself as being in Arenal Volcano’s home region and highlights its volcano views as a key feature.
-
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TRANSPORTATION
Arrival – Sunday, June 7, 2026
To receive included group transportation to lodging, travelers must fly into SJO Airport on June 7, 2026.
From SJO, we will take a group drive of approximately 2.5 hours to Monteverde and settle into Rainbow House and Cabin. Once everyone has arrived and had time to get situated, we’ll gather for a special welcome dinner followed by a short orientation and presentation on Costa Rica, Monteverde, and some of the incredible flora, fauna, and funga we hope to encounter during the trip.
Departure—Saturday, June 13, 2026
The tour concludes on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with a group drive of approximately 2.5 hours back to SJO Airport.
Early Arrival / Extended Stay
Guests are welcome to arrive early or stay later, but transportation to and from lodging outside the official tour dates will be their own responsibility. We’ll be happy to help guests think through options and arrange logistics as best we can.
Important Flight Note
Please do not book airfare yet. We will likely ask guests to use one airline, most likely United, so that arrivals are clustered as closely together as possible and group transportation runs smoothly.
-
WHAT MAKES MYCOTREKS DIFFERENT
One thing that makes MycoTreks trips special is that we get to know our travelers before the trip begins.
We conduct Zoom calls with guests ahead of departure so we can learn more about who is coming, what they’re excited about, and how we can make the trip especially meaningful for them. We intentionally build flexibility into the schedule so that people leave feeling like they truly got to experience what mattered most to them—within reason, and as best we are able.
This is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all tour. It’s a thoughtfully guided experience built around shared curiosity, real connection, and a genuine love for place.
-
TRIP ACTIVITIES
Monteverde | June 7–10
Monteverde is one of the most famous cloud forest destinations in the world. The official Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve site describes it as a biodiversity-rich cloud forest ecosystem where visitors may encounter orchids, hummingbirds, and the resplendent quetzal.
While in Monteverde, planned activities include:
A full-day foray in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
A guided visit and foray in Curi-Cancha Reserve
Additional forays on local trails
At least one night hike (location TBD)
Welcome dinner and opening orientation/presentation on Sunday evening
La Fortuna | June 10–13
On Wednesday, June 10, we’ll depart Monteverde and travel roughly 2.5 hours around Lake Arenal into La Fortuna. After arrival, we’ll have dinner and a short orientation/presentation led by local experts focused on the ecology, biodiversity, and opportunities in the Arenal region.
La Fortuna offers a different kind of energy—lush, volcanic, warm, and full of options. We’ll offer guests more flexibility here in choosing how they want to spend their time.
Activities in La Fortuna will include:
Daily fungal forays
One night hike
Optional opportunities such as:
Ziplining
Hot springs
Baldi Hot Springs Resort Water Park
Other area exploration, depending on guest interest
All optional activities are at the traveler’s own expense unless otherwise stated.
-
WILDLIFE YOU MAY ENCOUNTER
Costa Rica is one of the great biodiversity destinations on Earth, and this trip is designed to put you in habitats where remarkable encounters are genuinely possible.
In Monteverde, potential sightings may include:
Resplendent quetzal
Hummingbirds
Toucans and trogons
Orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes
Coatis
Agoutis
Sloths
Monkeys
The official Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve highlights orchids and quetzals among the signature life of the reserve, while Curi-Cancha reports 200+ bird species and commonly seen mammals including coati, agouti, kinkajou, two-toed sloth, and three species of monkeys.
In and around La Fortuna, guests may encounter a very different suite of species associated with lower-elevation tropical forest and volcanic landscapes. Depending on weather, timing, and luck, that may include colorful birds, reptiles, amphibians, monkeys, coatis, and a wide range of tropical fungi.
As with any wild place, no wildlife sightings can ever be guaranteed—but Costa Rica gives us excellent odds. description
-
YOUR HOSTS & LOCAL TEAM
This trip will be hosted by all three founders of MycoTreks, with foray coordination in Costa Rica led by Ryan McDonald, who has lived in Costa Rica for several years studying the native fungi of the La Fortuna region.
His local knowledge, combined with the MycoTreks approach to education, flexibility, and guest care, will help make this an unusually rich and personalized experience.
We expect to be coordinating additional local experts to join us in most of our forays (TBD).
-
LEGAL COMPLIANCE & RESEARCH ETHICS
MycoTreks obeys all Costa Rican laws and operates with deep respect for local regulations, protected areas, and conservation ethics.
This trip is focused on observation, education, photography, and appreciation of fungal biodiversity.
We want to state this explicitly:
We will not be collecting genetic material or other research specimens unless specific arrangements have been made in advance with local researchers and the appropriate permissions are in place. At this time, any such arrangements remain TBD.
Our goal is to give guests an extraordinary experience while modeling ethical, lawful, conservation-minded field behavior.
-
TRIP INCLUSIONS
Your MycoTreks Costa Rica trip includes:
All lodging from June 7 through the morning of June 13
All transportation during the official tour dates, beginning with pickup from SJO Airport on June 7
Meals beginning with dinner on Sunday and ending with breakfast on Saturday
Entrance fees to the nature reserves included in the itinerary
Guided forays and educational programming
Pre-trip Zoom calls and personalized trip planning support
All guides and/or interpreters are paid by the tour operator, though you are welcome to tip anyone who went above and beyond to enrich your experience.
-
TRIP EXCLUSIONS
Not included in the trip price:
Airfare to and from Costa Rica
Travel insurance
Alcohol
Optional activities in La Fortuna
Lodging or transport outside the official tour dates
Transportation for guests who do not arrive into SJO in time for the scheduled group transfer
While tips for guides are entirely optional, they are always appreciated.
We want guests to know that everyone who works with us—guides, interpreters, and the hosts of our visits—are paid fairly by MycoTreks.
However, we do visit protected natural areas and privately maintained preserves. If you feel moved by a particular place or person and wish to contribute further, you’re welcome to make a personal donation or tip as you see fit.
-
PRICING
Shared Room / Own Bed
$2,799 per person
For individual travelers who want their own bed while sharing a room with another traveler
Couples Rate
$5,499 per couple
A $100 savings for couples booking together, and it ensures a private room or suite with a Queen or King bed
Solo Private Room
$3,399 per person
For solo travelers who want a private room of their own
-
WHO THIS TRIP IS FOR
This trip is for travelers who:
Love mushrooms, biodiversity, and tropical ecosystems
Want more than a typical vacation
Enjoy guided nature immersion with flexibility built in
Appreciate both structure and spontaneity
Want to learn from people who care deeply about ethics, locality, and meaningful field experience
You do not need to be an expert to enjoy this trip. You just need curiosity, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to be present.
-
A FEW FINAL NOTES
Our itineraries are intentionally designed to be both well-organized and flexible. Costa Rica offers an extraordinary range of experiences, and we want to leave room for both fungal exploration and the kinds of moments that make a trip unforgettable—whether that’s a night walk in the cloud forest, a perfect volcano view, a spontaneous wildlife sighting, or a soak in the hot springs after a long day in the field.
We’re excited to share this place with you.
Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival in Costa Rica + La Paz Waterfall + Transfer to Monteverde
Guests will arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) where our group will gather before beginning the journey into Costa Rica’s highlands. From the airport we’ll travel toward Monteverde, making a scenic stop along the way at the beautiful La Paz Waterfall.
Set within lush rainforest, La Paz offers our first chance to stretch our legs, take photos, and experience the sights and sounds of Costa Rica’s tropical forests. For many travelers, this stop provides the first real glimpse of the incredible biodiversity that makes Costa Rica famous.
From there we’ll continue our drive into the Tilarán Mountain Range, gradually climbing into the cool, misty forests surrounding Monteverde. Our destination is Rainbow House and Cabin, our private residence nestled in the cloud forest just one mile from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
After settling in, we’ll gather for a special welcome dinner followed by a short orientation introducing guests to Costa Rica, Monteverde, and the remarkable flora, fauna, and funga we hope to encounter during the week ahead.
Your First Night in the Cloud Forest
As evening settles in, the forest around us begins to change. The daytime bird calls fade and the nighttime chorus of insects, frogs, and distant forest sounds begins to rise.
For many guests, this first evening in Monteverde is when the trip truly begins — standing outside beneath the misty canopy, breathing the cool mountain air, and realizing that for the next several days we’ll be exploring one of the most biologically rich ecosystems on Earth.
Tomorrow, we step into the cloud forest.
By the End of Day One You Will Have Experienced:
• A tropical rainforest waterfall at La Paz
• Your first glimpse of Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity
• A scenic drive into the cloud forests of Monteverde
• A welcome dinner with your fellow travelers
• Your first night surrounded by sounds of the cloud forest
Day 2 -Monday
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve • Fungal Foray • High-Elevation Biodiversity
Our first full day in Costa Rica will take us into one of the country’s most legendary ecosystems: the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
This reserve is world-famous for its mist-draped forest, towering trees, dense epiphyte growth, and extraordinary biodiversity. It is the kind of place that feels almost mythic when you first step into it — cool air, filtered light, moss-laden branches, and life layered in every direction.
We’ll spend the day exploring the reserve through the lens of fungi, ecology, and forest relationships, paying close attention not only to the mushrooms themselves, but to the larger story of the cloud forest ecosystem that makes them possible. For many travelers, this will be the day when the trip’s fungal focus fully comes alive.
Along the way, we may also encounter some of Monteverde’s famous wildlife, from tropical birds and mammals to amphibians and countless plants that thrive in this moisture-rich environment.
Entering the Cloud Forest
There is something different about a true cloud forest. The air feels cooler. The forest feels older. Even the silence has texture.
For many guests, this is the day Costa Rica stops feeling like an idea and starts feeling like a living, breathing ecological world unfolding around them.
By the End of Day Two You Will Have Experienced:
• A full day exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
• Your first major tropical fungal foray of the trip
• The layered ecology of a true cloud forest ecosystem
• Opportunities to observe wildlife, epiphytes, and high-elevation forest habitats
Day 3 - Tuesday
Curi-Cancha Reserve • Local Trails • Night Hike
Today we continue our Monteverde experience with a foray in Curi-Cancha Reserve, a remarkable preserve known for excellent wildlife viewing and a slightly different forest experience from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
This gives us the chance to compare habitats, continue our search for tropical fungi, and pay attention to how subtle differences in forest structure, elevation, moisture, and disturbance can shape what we encounter. Depending on conditions and group interest, we may also explore additional local trails in the Monteverde area.
This day is a chance to slow down a little, notice more, and deepen our relationship with the landscape. By now, travelers often begin to settle into the rhythm of the trip — waking to bird calls, moving through wet forest, scanning logs and leaf litter, and becoming increasingly tuned in to the textures of the ecosystem.
The Forest After Dark
During our Monteverde stay, we also plan to include at least one night hike, with exact timing determined by weather, trail conditions, and group flow.
Night in Costa Rica reveals a different forest entirely. Sounds intensify. Movement shifts. Frogs, insects, nocturnal creatures, and the atmosphere of the forest after dark combine to create a completely different kind of experience — one that many travelers remember as a highlight of the trip.
By the End of Day Three You Will Have Experienced:
• A foray in Curi-Cancha Reserve
• Additional exploration of local Monteverde trails
• More opportunities to encounter fungi, wildlife, and tropical plant life
• A richer feel for the ecological diversity of the Monteverde region
• At least one unforgettable night hike in the cloud forest
Day 4 - Wednesday
Lake Arenal Transfer • Arrival in La Fortuna • Arenal Volcano Views
Today we leave Monteverde behind and make the scenic journey to La Fortuna, traveling approximately 2.5 hours around Lake Arenal into one of Costa Rica’s most visually dramatic regions.
The transfer itself is part of the experience. As we move out of the cool cloud forests and toward the warmer volcanic landscapes of the Arenal region, guests will have the chance to witness the country’s ecological diversity unfolding in real time. Shifting elevation, changing vegetation, expansive lake views, and the growing presence of Arenal Volcano make this one of the most beautiful travel days of the trip.
Once we arrive in La Fortuna, we’ll check into Hotel Campo Verde, our home base for the remainder of the tour. With some of the best views of Arenal Volcano, it provides an ideal setting for the second half of our adventure.
That evening we’ll gather for dinner and a brief orientation or presentation by local experts to help introduce the area and set the stage for the next phase of the trip.
A Change in Landscape, A Change in Energy
Monteverde feels cool, misty, and enclosed.
La Fortuna feels lush, warm, expansive, and volcanic.
For many guests, this transition is one of the most exciting parts of the week — the realization that this trip is not just about one ecosystem, but about experiencing multiple faces of Costa Rica in a single journey.
By the End of Day Four You Will Have Experienced:
• A scenic drive around Lake Arenal
• The transition from cloud forest to volcanic rainforest
• Arrival in La Fortuna, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic adventure destinations
• Check-in at Hotel Campo Verde with views of Arenal Volcano
• Dinner and orientation for the next phase of the trip
DAY 5 - Thursday
La Fortuna Forays • Optional Adventure • Hot Springs Possibilities
La Fortuna offers a very different kind of energy than Monteverde — warmer, more open, more volcanic, and full of opportunities for both exploration and relaxation.
Today we’ll spend time in the region conducting one of our daily La Fortuna forays, guided by local knowledge and shaped by current conditions in the field. This region offers exciting fungal potential along with abundant opportunities to appreciate the broader biodiversity of tropical Costa Rica.
One of the things that makes our tours special is that we intentionally build in flexibility, especially during our time in La Fortuna. In addition to the day’s foray, guests may choose to participate in optional activities such as ziplining, soaking in hot springs, or visiting Baldi Hot Springs Resort Water Park, depending on interest and energy.
This is where the trip opens up a little more. Some travelers may want to maximize time in the field. Others may want a balance of foray, adventure, and rest. Our goal is to help guests leave feeling like they experienced Costa Rica in a way that felt full, memorable, and personal.
The Arenal Region at Your Own Pace
Part of the beauty of La Fortuna is that it allows room for choice.
You can spend the day chasing fungi, watching for wildlife, soaking in thermal waters, photographing the volcano, or some combination of all of the above.
By the End of Day Five You Will Have Experienced:
• A guided fungal foray in the La Fortuna region
• A new tropical ecosystem shaped by volcanic landscapes and rainforest conditions
• More opportunities for wildlife observation and photography
• Optional access to experiences like hot springs, ziplining, or Baldi Hot Springs
• A fuller sense of the flexibility that makes MycoTreks trips unique
Day 6 - Friday
Final Forays • Night Hike • Last Full Day Beneath Arenal
Our final full day together continues the La Fortuna experience with more opportunities for fungal forays, rainforest exploration, and wildlife encounters.
By this point in the trip, most guests have developed a much deeper sense of place. The forests begin to feel more legible. The pace becomes more natural. Travelers often find themselves noticing details they would have missed earlier in the week — a texture on bark, a shift in humidity, the movement of something in the understory, the shape of a mushroom emerging from leaf litter.
This is a day to savor the experience and enjoy one more round of tropical field exploration while taking in everything that makes the Arenal region so memorable. During our La Fortuna stay, we also expect to include one night hike, offering another chance to experience the rainforest after dark.
For those interested, there may also be time for optional relaxation or exploration, whether that means hot springs, wildlife watching, photography, or simply enjoying the setting beneath the volcano.
One More Night in the Rainforest
The last full day of a trip like this always carries a different feeling.
By now, the group knows one another better. The landscape feels more familiar. And the little moments — the sounds, the conversations, the forest itself — tend to land a little deeper.
By the End of Day Six You Will Have Experienced:
• Another day of guided fungal exploration in La Fortuna
• One last chance to immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s volcanic rainforest ecosystems
• A night hike in the Arenal region
• Time for reflection, photography, wildlife watching, or optional hot springs
• The final full day of your MycoTreks Costa Rica adventure
Day 7 - Saturday
Departure Day • Return to SJO Airport
On Saturday morning we’ll enjoy breakfast together before departing La Fortuna for the approximately 2.5-hour group transfer back to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
This final stretch of the trip offers time to reflect on the week — the forests, the fungi, the wildlife, the landscapes, the conversations, and the shared experience of exploring one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth with a group of like-minded travelers.
For guests extending their stay in Costa Rica, this may simply be the end of the tour and the beginning of another chapter. For others heading home, we hope the trip leaves them with more than just photos — a deeper sense of connection to tropical ecosystems, new friendships, and memories that continue unfolding long after the week is over.
Leaving Costa Rica, Taking the Experience With You
The trip may end today, but the experience tends to linger.
A week like this changes the way people see forests, fungi, and the hidden richness of the natural world.
By the End of Day Seven You Will Have Experienced:
• Breakfast with the group on your final morning in Costa Rica
• A scenic return transfer from La Fortuna to SJO Airport
• A full week spanning cloud forest, volcanic rainforest, wildlife, and fungal exploration
• Shared experiences with fellow travelers who value curiosity, nature, and adventure
• A deeper connection to the ecosystems of Costa Rica
-
Your expedition's detailed itinerary will be finalized and shared approximately 15-30 days before departure. In the interim, you can refer to the Trip page for a preliminary outline, offering a snapshot of what to expect, including transportation details, hotel accommodations, scheduled activities, and meal arrangements.
Our general itinerary provides a framework, subject to revisions based on the dynamic nature of travel. In collaboration with our local guides, we ensure the most enriching experience. While exact times and locations will be determined closer to your travel date, the Trip page offers sufficient details for preliminary planning.
Feel free to contact us if you have questions about any specifics on the itinerary. We're here to assist and ensure you're well-prepared for the adventure ahead.
-
A part of our mission is to belong anywhere and include everyone. We want to accommodate any restrictions or requests that we can.
Our carefully crafted itineraries are designed to be inclusive, offering dietary options such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan across most activities. We also strive to attain Ethical Tourism standards as a part of our ethos.
Understanding that accessibility is crucial, we collaborate with our local partners to meet individual needs, tailoring activities, transportation, and lodging on a case-by-case basis. Recognizing the uniqueness of each traveler's requirements may include modifying activities, providing alternative transportation, or allocating accessible rooms. As each person’s needs vary, we will work with you and our Operator to make appropriate accommodations.
During the booking process, you will be asked to complete a trip form, which includes space to note any specific dietary or accessibility preferences. This proactive approach allows us to cater to your needs from the outset.
For any inquiries or detailed discussions about your specific needs, we encourage you to reach out. Our team is committed to providing you with all the information you need to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey.
-
MycoTreks™ is dedicated to uniting the online Mycology Community through shared adventures and educational experiences in the fascinating world of fungi. Embarking on a MycoTreks™ journey means joining a community of like-minded enthusiasts, eager to explore and learn about mycology together.
One of the greatest features of a MycoTreks™ trip is the sense of community and shared interest in mycology. Though you may start as strangers, the shared passion for mycology ensures that you will be in good company. Our trips are designed to foster a sense of belonging and shared discovery among all participants.
For accommodations, we typically arrange shared rooms with separate beds to enhance the communal experience, ensuring you stay with the same roommate throughout the journey. For those seeking privacy, single-room options are available for an additional fee, selectable during the booking process.
Single room availability is limited, and if your request for a single room is not met, MycoTreks™ will refund the additional charges.
At MycoTreks™, we prioritize your safety, inclusion, and accessibility, ensuring a supportive and enriching travel experience. With us, you’re part of a community that explores together, guaranteeing you never journey alone.