Dinner and overnight at Gandoca.

Today we will bid “adios” to the community of Gandoca and staff of Asociacion ANAI. We will then board our buses and drive to the Costa Rica/Panama border. (It is necessary to pay departure tax on the border 12 US$) Once in Panama, we will continue our journey to the port of Almirante, where we will then board a boat to the islands of Bocas del Toro. The Bocas del Toro archipelago is located off the northwestern coast of Panama and consists of six larger, mostly forested islands and numerous smaller ones. The village of Bocas del Toro is located on Colón Island and the capitol of the Province of the same name. This area remains unique and unspoiled. An early visitor, Christopher Columbus, visited the islands on October 6, 1502 where he took refuge in the calm waters and gathered food from the islands for their voyage home. Bocas del Toro hidden splendors consist of coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and white sandy deserted beaches and coves. The local people of the province are made up of mainly indigenous tribes and descendants of slaves from Jamaica, which contributes to Bocas' diverse and lively culture.

Locals and travelers alike travel leisurely between the islands in dugout canoes and kayaks. Each island offers something different in terms of wildlife and bio-diversity. Sloths, monkeys, toucans, parrots, iguanas and tiny brightly colored poison dart frogs are just some of the islands' many inhabitants. Following our arrival in the afternoon, we will meet the Panamanian staff of Asociacion ANAI. They will give a presentation on the ecology of this marine ecosystem as well as the conservations efforts that are presently being undertaken to protect the coral reefs, manatees and sea turtles.

Dinner and overnight at Bocas.

Today, our group will travel by boat into Bastimentos National Marine Reserve to the Zapatilla Keys. Established in 1988, Bastimentos plays an important role in the protection of mangroves, lowland forests and the nesting sites for four species of sea turtles. Coral reefs here support countless species of fish, lobster and other forms of marine life. Fresh-water lagoons in the Archipelago are home to caiman, turtles, and a variety of birds and other wildlife. En route we will travel through the Bay of Dolphins where it is possible to view dolphins in the wild. We will spend the remainder of the day on the Zapatilla Keys enjoying the white sandy beach and snorkeling its reefs in order to experience and collect data on its biodiversity. In the afternoon, participants will return to Bocas del Toro for dinner.

Overnight Bocas del Toro

Following breakfast, we will visit the Coral Keys, again to experience outstanding coral reef biodiversity. Later in the day, we will travel to, snorkel, and observe the biodiversity of a number of mangrove habitats. Here will we identify different species of fish and invertebrates, and investigate the marine life that inhabit mangrove roots. Mangroves are extremely important in that they form a rich and vital breeding habitat for lobsters, fish, birds, manatees and numerous other forms of marine life. In the afternoon, our group will hike the "Red Frog Trail," in search of local biodiversity, especially the strawberry poison dart frogs (Dendrobates pumilio). Late this afternoon, participants will return to Bocas del Toro for dinner.

Overnight Bocas del Toro.

LA SELVA RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

After breakfast we will have the chance to perform field research as we work side by side scientific research teams from around the world. Projects will include topics like amphibian natural defenses; rainforest productivity and carbon cycling; global warming; bird, ant, or mammal population density and dynamics; and bat maternal behaviors –just to name a few. We will also take part in a long-term project known as "La Arboleda", in one of the most well studied patches of forest in the world.

Dinner and overnight at La Selva

LA SELVA CONTINUE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND HIKINGS

We will continue our research and conservation volunteer work with staff members and researchers associated with La Selva. We will also have the opportunity to spend leisure time hiking, exploring, and/or scouting for bird and mammal species in the rainforest.

Dinner and overnight at La Selva.

After breakfast, we will bid “adios” to the staff and researchers of La Selva and venture back into our buses. We will again travel towards the Costa Rican Caribbean coast. In a town called Freeman or Caño Blanco, we will board a boat in order to travel up an inland waterway toward the John H. Phipps Biological Station of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Upon arrival to Tortuguero, we will be welcomed by research staff of the CCC and given an orientation session highlighting the history and work of this NGO. The CCC is the oldest and most accomplished sea turtle organization in the world. Since its founding in 1959, CCC’s work has greatly improved the survival outlook for several species of sea turtles, especially the Atlantic Green, Chelonia mydas. The overall mission of the CCC is the protection of sea turtles and the habitats upon which they depend. The black sand beach of Tortuguero draws the largest nesting population of green turtles in the Atlantic Ocean. The southern Tortuguero beach is also an important nesting habitat for Leatherback. In 1954, Dr. Archie Carr initiated pioneering conservation work and research on marine turtles at Tortuguero. During the past four decades, his ongoing study has become the longest continuing sea turtle research program in the world. As a participate volunteer in a CCC research program, we will assist CCC's sea turtle biologists by tagging and measuring turtles, counting eggs, marking nests, recording data, and conducting morning nest surveys, tracking surveys and nest inventories. As with the Asociacion Anai, shift work will be performed on a daily basis, day and night, and is extremely demanding work. It is imperative that each participant factor sleep to their daily routine.

Dinner and over night at the Jungle Lodge, Tortuguero.

Note: There is a limitation of 25 pounds per person for the trip to Tortuguero. Thus, before leaving La Selva, we must repack in order to take only what is essential during our stay in Tortuguero (so please bring an extra duffle bag or back pack with you.) Our bus drivers and guides are of the highest caliber, and will guard all items left behind.)

TORTUGUERO and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC)

We will continue our research and conservation volunteer work with staff members from the CCC. After breakfast on this day, all participants will travel through the canals of Tortuguero National Park by way of boat to explore the lush surrounding lowland tropical rainforest. Some call this "Costa Rica's Amazon,” as eleven different life zones have been identified within the park. Wildlife found here includes three species of monkeys, river otters, three-toed sloths, caimans, iguanas, freshwater turtles and more than 320 species of birds, including all 6 species of kingfishers found in the New World, 3 species of toucans and 8 species of parrots. Aside from its diverse flora and fauna, Tortuguero National Park is a beautiful and tranquil spot, with palm-lined beaches stretching off as far as the eye can see in both directions. Others may choose to sleep, as ‘turtling’ is demanding work.

Dinner and overnight at Jungle Lodge,Tortuguero.

We will continue our research and conservation volunteer work with staff members from the CCC. Following our boat ride, participants may opt to take a guided hike by highly experienced naturist guides through selected parts of the park. Others may choose to sleep, as ‘turtling’ is demanding work.

Dinner and overnight at Jungle Lodge,Tortuguero.