Vacation Horror: 12 Family Members Sickened After Exploring Cave in Costa Rica

A dream getaway to Costa Rica quickly turned into a medical mystery for one American family — and the culprit? A bat-infested cave.

Twelve relatives from Georgia, Texas, and Washington were diagnosed with a serious fungal infection called histoplasmosis after touring the Venado Caves in late December 2024. The trip, which was supposed to be an unforgettable family adventure, ended with everyone feeling feverish, fatigued, and worried.

The Venado Caves, a popular tourist attraction, are known for their bat populations and beautiful rock formations. But they’ve also been linked to previous outbreaks of histoplasmosis, a lung-infecting illness caused by a fungus found in bat and bird droppings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the group — made up of six adults and six children — began experiencing symptoms within two to three weeks after their cave tour. One adult’s chest scan was so alarming it sparked fears of lung cancer before the true diagnosis came to light.

Common symptoms included headaches, night sweats, muscle aches, and respiratory issues. Fortunately, all 12 family members eventually made a full recovery about a month after their exposure.

This isn’t the first time the Venado Caves have been associated with a health scare. Back in the late ‘90s, over 50 people got sick after visiting the same location. Now, the CDC, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and local health officials, is working to increase public awareness — including revising waiver forms for cave tours to include warnings about the potential health risks.

A health alert was also issued in March 2025 to caution future tourists.

Histoplasmosis might sound rare, but it’s more common than many realize — especially when people are exposed to environments with high concentrations of bat or bird droppings.

So if you’re thinking of exploring the wild side on your next vacation, take this as a reminder: sometimes the scariest part of a cave isn’t the dark… it’s what’s living in it.