ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Imagine a place hidden in a dense jungle forest along the Caribbean Sea, a quasi-island surrounded by the ocean and canals. Only accessible by boat, visit Costa Rica like never before. With Ecology Project International, we spend time in this course immersing in the rainforest and coastal beaches with our incredible EPI partners at the . Study three species of sea turtles in their native habitat while understanding how ecotourism intersects with research and education.

Costa Rica is one of the key leaders in the "green travel" movement and students will learn directly from local experts in this course. Students will also visit La Selva Biological Station, which has been home to hundreds of leading scientists over its 60 years. The people and forest of La Selva are unmatched as a place to understand lowland rainforest ecology and conservation.

In this course, we will take time to see how ecotourism can truly fulfill the promise of social, economic, and environmental benefits to local communities and global visitors while working to save key species in the process.

A typical day on this EE course includes exploration and hiking in the local environment, instructor and student-led discussions of key course topics, presentations, and engagement with local community experts, and time for inquiry investigations and journal writing. Prior to and following the field experience in Costa Rica, students will complete coursework via Canvas, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University's learning management system, as they apply experiences at home.

*** If you're interested in Costa Rica: Ecology & Ecotourism for Summer 2026, . This option is ideal for anyone needing Continuing Education Units or additional graduate credits, those with previous Master's experiences, or Dragonfly alums. We offer a limited number of spots (up to 6) for non-Master's candidates in most of our EE courses. An undergraduate degree is required. ***

Pacuare Station

Pacuare's coastline is hugged by dense rainforest. What was once logged for timber or grazed by cattle is now a protected home for a wide variety of wildlife – more than 32 species of mammals, including jaguar, ocelot, three species of monkeys, and many reptiles call Pacuare home.

With beach, forest, canals, and freshwater habitats, Pacuare is also home to a wide variety of birds - 253 species currently! The rare and beautiful Agami heron nests in a small lagoon within the Reserve. It is the only nesting site in Costa Rica and one of only a few accessible nesting sites in the world.

The main trail runs the length of the Reserve through the forests located behind the beach, with other shorter trails leading to areas of special interest, making for enjoyable observations of the flora and fauna of the area.

La Selva Biological Station

La Selva Research Station offers 1,600 hectares of well-preserved old-growth and recovering wet lowland tropical forest showcasing some of the best-preserved elevational gradients in the tropics.

La Selva sits within a complex biological, socioeconomic, and political landscape that has been significantly transformed over the last 40 years by a continuously expanding agricultural frontier, burgeoning human population, and accompanying major infrastructure. Protected areas, such as La Selva, provide a rich opportunity for studying how natural ecosystems respond to a broader landscape matrix of human uses.

(Course locations are subject to change.)

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