ECOTEC Natural History Adventures Bocas del Toro, Panama

ECOTEC

Why ECOTEC? There are many “Eco Resorts” in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago and all will provide various types of tours and hikes for their clients. While they may be able to spot wildlife, most tour leaders cannot relay even simple information about their ecology or even tell you the animal’s name. ECOTEC is different. Our tour leaders are the same graduate students, professors and researchers who study and teach tropical ecology. They know a Golden-Collared Manakin from a Great Kiskidee Flycatcher or a Finger Coral from a Colonial Hydrazoan. If you are the sort of discriminating traveler who enjoys learning while exploring, then ECOTEC is your natural destination!

In 1996 the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC) was founded and a biological station was established on Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Republic of Panama. This site, known as Boca del Drago (Dragon’s mouth) was chosen for its incredible level of biodiversity brought about by the juxtaposition of both tropical terrestrial and marine ecosystems. These include lowland tropical rain forest and coral reefs; the two most bio-diverse ecosystems on our planet!

ECOTEC was established as a way in which serious amateur naturalists might enjoy the biodiversity of tropical America in the company of researchers, professors and students in residence at the field station. Indeed, the same university professors, graduate students and researchers, along with our naturalist guides, will lead the interpretive excursions into the forest and onto the coral reefs. They will also be on hand to discuss the day’s activities over dinner, talk about their research, and occasionally provide lectures and slide presentations. This academic setting provides a unique learning experience for both the scientist and amateur naturalist alike.

ECOTEC Photos. All of the photos displayed on this and other ITEC sites were taken by ITEC students, faculty, researchers and staff during activities at the biological field station and on field trips. Reproduce only with permission from ITEC.



	ECOTEC Why ECOTEC? There are many “Eco Resorts” in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago and all will provide various types of tours and hikes for their clients. While they may be able to spot wildlife, most tour leaders cannot relay even simple information about their ecology or even tell you the animal’s name. ECOTEC is different. Our tour leaders are the same graduate students, professors and researchers who study and teach tropical ecology. They know a Golden-Collared Manakin from a Great Kiskidee Flycatcher or a Finger Coral from a Colonial Hydrazoan. If you are the sort of discriminating traveler who enjoys learning while exploring, then ECOTEC is your natural destination! In 1996 the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC) was founded and a biological station was established on Isla Colon in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Republic of Panama. This site, known as Boca del Drago (Dragon’s mouth) was chosen for its incredible level of biodiversity brought about by the juxtaposition of both tropical terrestrial and marine ecosystems. These include lowland tropical rain forest and coral reefs; the two most bio-diverse ecosystems on our planet! ECOTEC was established as a way in which serious amateur naturalists might enjoy the biodiversity of tropical America in the company of researchers, professors and students in residence at the field station. Indeed, the same university professors, graduate students and researchers, along with our naturalist guides, will lead the interpretive excursions into the forest and onto the coral reefs. They will also be on hand to discuss the day’s activities over dinner, talk about their research, and occasionally provide lectures and slide presentations. This academic setting provides a unique learning experience for both the scientist and amateur naturalist alike. ECOTEC Photos. All of the photos displayed on this and other ITEC sites were taken by ITEC students, faculty, researchers and staff during activities at the biological field station and on field trips. Reproduce only with permission from ITEC.