The field station is located on Drago Beach only 10m from the water (for a close look, use Google Earth and go to 9º 24’ 54” N, 82º 19’ 50” W). Infrastructure consists of a laboratory, covered work areas, library, computer lab, classrooms, accommodations for 40 people, and a restaurant. The laboratory is equipped with various types of lab equipment (scales, centrifuges, incubators, refrigerator, etc.) and glassware. The station library contains over 1200 volumes and represents the largest collection of natural history books in Panama outside of Panama City. All subjects are well represented. The computer room is supplied with Macintosh and PC computers, printers and scanners. Classrooms hold up to 30 persons and all instructional formats are possible. Sleeping accommodations include large two-story cabins, private rooms and dormitory-like rooms. The field station’s restaurant, the Yarisnori, can serve up to 100 simultaneously.

The ECOTEC experience is “all inclusive” where meals, local transportation, daily activities and excursions are included. It may not be possible to do all activities at all times during the year (sea turtles, for example, nest only in the Spring and Summer), but most activities are available year around.

Climate. The Bocas del Toro Biological Station lies only 9 degrees above the equator and is located near the Costa Rican border on the Caribbean side of Panama. The climate is wet tropical and receives between 3700 mm (12.1 ft) and 4200 mm (13.8 ft) of rain each year. There are two seasons, wet and “dry”, which really means just a bit less wet. The wet season extends from May to December but with a “mini” dry season in September and early October. This is often the best time to visit Bocas. Otherwise, one can expect rain at any time but perhaps a little less during the dry season which extends from January to May. Rain often comes at night. The days generally break clear and warm. Contrary to popular belief, the wet lowland tropics are not oppressively hot. Daily highs average 85º F and rarely reach 90º F. Temperatures drop dramatically as you enter the forest, generally 5-10 degrees cooler. Evenings begin warm but rapidly drop to high 70s during the night with the nearly constant sea breeze. During the winter months (December-March), you’ll actually want a thin blanket at night!