Explore the World of Mushrooms with a practical approach
THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU IF:
- you love hiking in dense cloud forests, surrounded by wildlife and rich greenery
- you are mesmerized by mushroom diversity and beauty
- you enjoy practical activities and outdoors living
OVERVIEW
An introductory and interactive course addressed to all mycophorics willing to gain knowledge within the Fungi kingdom.
Exploration, identification, cooking, growing, hunting
DURATION: 5 days
LOCATION: Costa Rica, San Gerardo de Dota
DATES: 2025 TBC
APPLICATIONS: open all year-round
This intensive course is designed for beginners with little or no experience about mushrooms. During the training you will be studying the science behind the medicinal and nutritional value of fungi, their exquisite ecology and characteristics. By the end of the course you will be able to point the major features in order to identify edible e non-edible mushrooms commonly found in Costa Rica. You will be also familiar with their traditional use, methods of preparation and growth. An extensive part of the course is dedicated to outdoor training for identification and to modern research on Mycology.
You will be hosted in San Gerardode Dota, a lovely community bordering Los Quetzales National Park located at 2,200 meters above sea level, hidden in the majestic folds of the Río Savegre Valley. The Rio Savegre basin is of great importance for biodiversity conservation. It is home to up to 20% of the total number of flora species described in the country. In its 58917 hectares, 44 different ecosystems have been described, of which more than a quarter correspond to high altitude ecosystems. During your stay you will be able to visit the protected forests and enjoy local food and traditions.
ACCOMMODATION: shared room in private mountain cabin (max. 3 people per room)
FOOD: home-made food and plenty of gourmet mushrooms. Tailored diets on request.
FEES: 1200$, inclusive of theoretical and practical lessons, trips, food and accommodation, use of the facilities, educational material in pdf format. Fees do not include airline tickets and transfers to/from the location.
DISCOUNTS: available when booking multiple courses or for group bookings.
PROGRAM
DAY ONE:
- Orientation and Briefing. Morning class: Fungal Biology and Physiology + Classification of Major genera. Afternoon hike to the mountains hunting mushrooms for identification.
DAY TWO:
- Morning class: How to successfully identify mushrooms? Chemistry and Poisonous mushrooms. Afternoon training: a walk in the forest to learn about Ecosystems and Mycorrhizal interaction with Plants
DAY 3:
- Morning class: Growing edible and medicinal mushrooms + Easy techniques for outdoor cultivation. Afternoon visit to the mushroom farm and tour to the Shiitake forest.
DAY 4:
- Morning class: Medicinal and Spiritual uses of Mushrooms + Practical preparations of remedies. Afternoon: Mushrooms hunting and culinary experience.
DAY 5:
- Morning hike to Los Quetzales National Park. Afternoon meeting for mushrooms identification and wrap-up. Departure mid afternoon.