1. An opportunity to study:
Ball State University – Department of Biology offers the international field course TROPICAL FOREST ECOLOGY & MARINE BIOLOGY OF COSTA RICA
May 7-18, 2019
An opportunity to study:
Tropical Forest Ecology & Biodiversity,
Cultures of Costa Rica, Sustainable
Resource Use/Ecotourism
Contact Dr. Tim Carter, ; or Dr. Mark Pyron, ;
Cost: $3750 (Resident Undergraduate - 15 students)
includes airfare, lodging, all meals, all transportation
and tuition (3 credits BIO 420/520)

2. Day 1: May 7 Arrival at SJO Airport
Transportation to Sarapiqui (2 hours)
Visit Volcan Poas National Park; lunch on the way. Stop by café with hummingbird feeders for coffee/refreshments
Arrive at Sarapiqui. Dinner at Tirimbina Field Station
Overnight at Tirimbina Field Station

3. Day 2: May 8 Early morning birding. Breakfast.
Hike through Tirimbina forest.
Lunch in the forest
Forest exploration
Dinner at Tirimbina Field Station.
Bat netting!!

4. Day 3: May 9 Breakfast Discussion: unique features of local ecosystems
Lunch
White water rafting
Overnight and Dinner at Tirimbina Field Station
Hike to frog pond

5. Day 4: May 10 Early morning birding. Breakfast. Depart to La Fortuna
Visit Arenal Observatory. Time to walk and explore. Lunch at Observatory.
Check in at Kokoro Hotel.
Visit Hotsprings Paradise. Dinner at Hot Springs.
Overnight at Kokoro Hotel

6. Day 5: May 11 Breakfast at Kokoro.
Visit Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. Boat trip at Río Frío. Lunch at
Los Chiles town, on border with Nicaragua.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner at La Fortuna town, time to walk and explore.
Overnight at Kokoro Hotel

7. Day 6: May 12 Breakfast at Kokoro. Chocolate Tour
Depart to Monteverde.
Lunch on the way
Check in at Monteverde Cloud Forest Field Station.
Time to explore the hummingbird garden
Night hike at Children Eternal Rainforest.
Dinner at Pizzería Tramonti, Monteverde.

8. Day 7: May 13 Early birding at Cloud Forest Breakfast at Monteverde.
Guided walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Lunch at La Floresta (Monteverde Field Station)
Visit Bat Jungle. Time for shopping and explore Santa Elena town
Dinner at Pizzeria Tramonti, Monteverde.
Overnight at Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde.

9. Day 8: May 14 Breakfast at Monteverde
Transfer to Puntarenas, ferry across Nicoya Gulf to Paquera on Nicoya Peninsula, to Curú
Check in Curú. Introduction to site
Dinner at Curú
Bioluminescent bay experience
Overnight at Curú

10. Day 9: May 15 Breakfast at Curú Tour dry forest – observe monkeys
Lunch at Curú
Explore; dinner at Curú
Bat mistnetting
Overnight at Curú

11. Day 10: May 16 Birding. Breakfast at Curú
Snorkel tip to Tortuga Island
Lunch at Curú
Beach time
Explore Mangroves
Dinner at Marisquería Las Vegas in Paquera
Overnight at Curú

12. Day 11: May 17 Birding at Curú Breakfast at Curú
Travel to Paquera to take the 9:00 am Ferry
Lunch at Tárcoles, Restaurante El Jardín
Boat Trip at Tárcoles River
Continue to San José. Check in at Casa Cielo
Dinner and overnight at Casa Cielo

13. Day 12: May 18
Depart San Jose to USA

14. An opportunity to study:
Ball State University – Department of Biology offers the international field course TROPICAL FOREST ECOLOGY & MARINE BIOLOGY OF COSTA RICA
May 7-18, 2019
An opportunity to study:
Tropical Forest Ecology & Biodiversity,
Cultures of Costa Rica, Sustainable
Resource Use/Ecotourism
Contact Dr. Tim Carter, ; or Dr. Mark Pyron, ;
Cost: $3750 (Resident Undergraduate - 15 students)
includes airfare, lodging, all meals, all transportation
and tuition (3 credits BIO 420/520)

15. But, I am a Senior and plan to graduate in Spring…
Seniors can still take this course. There are 3 possible ways…
You can officially delay graduation till August. You can still walk in the May Graduation ceremony with your friends, but would wait till after Cost Rica to officially graduate and get your diploma.
You graduate in May like normal and take Costa Rica Course as a bonus class (continuing education).
You can apply to the BSU Graduate School and take it as a graduate student and they use it as transfer credits to another graduate program.
Please come talk with us and we can help talk you through the choices.

16. Some extra pictures from BSU Costa Rica trips
Please note, all pictures in this presentation were taken during past BSU trips to Costa Rica!

19. Carlos – our guide and fearless leader!