FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions BACK
Why should I want to go on a rain forest ecology field trip?
A field trip is a learning experience, and there is no more fascintating place to visit than a rain forest. This is a unique travel opportunity for the avid naturalist. The leaders of this field trip are professional biologists, active scientists and educators. This trip will afford you an unparalleled opportunity to learn about rain forests and to observe tropical organisms. Share the excitement of students as they experience the rain forest.
What can I expect during this field trip?
There will be planned natural history lessons for both the students and ISU alumni/friends. There will be plenty of time for walking and observation of organisms of all types, and there is no shortage of things to see. Most tour groups only spend 3-4 hours at the field station during the day. So here is the difference! This field trip provides an indepth experience, even giving you the opportunity to observe a rain forest at night, when it's often most interesting. ISU alumni and friends will have an opportunity to assist undergraduate and graduate students in gathering data for their research projects.
How physically fit do I have to be?
You must be able to walk a good distance, but usually at no more than a strolling pace. Walking is the only means of entering the rain forest, and the instructors and students sometimes cover 10-12 km or more in a day. ISU alumni & friends are not obligated or even expected to cover such distances. Walking 5-6 km a day is not unusual.
Do I have to go for the whole trip?
ISU alumni and friends can join the field trip for the whole duration and travel with the class from Chicago. Or you can attend for any portion thereof. Travel arrangements are easy and we provide the necessary details. We would recommend planning a minimum of 3 full days at the field station.
How much will the field trip cost?
The biggest variable is the cost of the airfare, but probably no more than $2000 total. We do request that ISU alumni and friends to make a tax-deductable donation of $400 to support the travel of students. Although very economical, cost is a concern for many students.
Can I get credit for this field trip?
If you are an ISU alumnus who wishes to enroll for credit as a continuing student, we can assist you in making the arrangements. To earn two college credits you will be expected to do some preparatory reading prior to the trip and to fully participate in the field trip.
How do I prepare for this field trip?
Here's some back ground reading that can make this field trip more rewarding.
Tropical Nature: Life and Death in the Rain Forests of Central and South America (by Forsyth and Miyata).
A Neotropical Companion (by Kricher).
Have you ever lost anyone in the rain forest?
No, but it helps to pay attention. Access to the rainforest is facilitated by an extensive system of well-marked trails and bridges. Trails are marked every 50 m with the linear distance from the trail head. Trail maps will be issued to everyone. Within 1 km of the station most of the trails are improved and provide easy walking. Further out and secondary trails can be unimproved; expect them to be muddy. Even the improved trails can be slippery when wet, which is often. If you plan to wander off the trails, a compass is recommended as it is easy to get turned around. This field trip poses no unusual or exception risks; in general terms, you are quite safe providing you adopt a watchful attitude and follow relatively simple safety rules.
Are there any dangerous animals?
Well, of course! Poisonous snakes (fer-de-lance or terceopelo, bushmaster, tree vipers, hog-nosed vipers, eyelash vipers, coral snakes, etc., etc.) abound. A watchful attitude and proper footwear are the insurance polices. A very large black ant (Paraponera, bolas or bullet ant) has a sting that has been described as the most painful, non-lethal thing you can experience. No, we have not cared to test this concept. Collared peccaries, a wild pig, can get a bit nasty if you get between them and their food, but usually you startle them, and then you discover their olfactory anti-predator defense mechanism. Jaguar has not been seen at the field station in years. The other three or four cat species are all small and are no threat to humans. But on the whole, slippery footing is probably the most dangerous thing.
Do I have to get US$ exchanged?
The Colone (ko-lone-ee) is the Costa Rican unit of currency; the current exchange rate is over 350 colones/US$1. At the field station, there is no need for currency, except for a small gift/snack shop. US currency is legal and accepted in many places in Costa Rica, although they insist on undamaged, unmarked bills. Even restaurants are quite fair about the exchange rate usually coming within 2-3 colones of the official bank rate (change is received in colones). Around San Jose major credit cards can be used at large restaurants and shops. Small shops or stands deal in colones.
Can I call home?
Yes. The field station has a phone booth in one of the laboratory buildings and calling card calls can be made. Just dial the MCI/AT&T number, and you get an English speaking operator. The telephone number at La Selva is (506) 71-6897, the FAX number is (506) 71-6481. However this number should only be used to reach you in case of emergency.
La Selva does have an email address: <laselva@ucrvm2.ucr.cr.edu>, but they don’t want your personal messages. Emergencies only.
Access to Internet computers is available, so you can send email, although the connection is rather slow at times.
What if I don’t speak Spanish?
English is widely spoken at La Selva and in most places that deal with tourists, but some knowledge of Spanish is both useful and recommended to facilitate good interactions. For such a brief field trip involving limited travel within the country, you will have less need of Spanish than if you were to travel more widely, so don’t worry about it.
Do I need to get shots, take malaria medicine, or worry about drinking the water?
No! Health conditions in Costa Rica and at La Selva are very good, among the best in the third world. No innoculations are required and no malarial prophylaxis (chloroquinine) is needed for La Selva, no matter what the USA State Department web page says. You may wish to consult with your personal physician about making sure you are up to date with innoculations for tetanus and typhoid boosters, polio immunization, and immune serum globulin for protection against hepatitis A. If malaria ever turns up in the La Selva area (it never has), you may obtain some chloroquinine upon your return (1 horse pill a week probably for just 2-3 weeks). The water in San Jose is OK, but play it safe. The water at the field station is as good as any city water in the US.
La Selva is a remote location, 2 hours from the nearest hospital. An excellent first-aid kit is maintained at the station, and we will have our own medical supplies for minor injuries. Persons allergic to insect stings should come prepared. Anti-venom serum is on hand at the station, but boots and an alert, observant attitude are the best protection.
What about the electricity?
Costa Rica and the field station operate on the same current and plugs as the USA, so rechargeables have no problems, provided the local power grid is cooperative. Even then the station has its own emergency generator. A short extension cord is useful as outlets are a scarce commodity.
What about laundry facilities?
The field station has a laundry room conveniently located near the cabinas. So field clothes can be recycled. Soap is provided.
Can I bring my child?
Kids have had a good time at the station if they are interested in natural history and won't get bored without a daily fix of TV, and can operate on the local food. Parents assume all responsibility for children. Generally, the youngest person on the field trip will be about 20 years old.
Can a senior citizen handle this field trip?
One of our colleagues has been retired for nearly 20 years, and he regularly goes on this field trip. College students have great physical equipment, but many aren't mentally very tough. No problem.
What do I have to bring?
1. Rubber boots.
These are not an option! You must have proper boots to walk on any trail. The tall, calf-covering Wellington-type rubber boots with good arch support and tread that you wear with just socks are excellent protection against mud and snake bites. Make sure they fit well and are comfortable for walking. Sore feet make for a miserable time. You won't be allowed out on trails without them for safety reasons.
2. Umbrella and a rain coat or poncho.
A lot of rain can fall during our field trip (16+ inches is the record) so a travel umbrella is almost an essential. You might also want a rain coat or poncho, although most field workers consider them rather awkward and hot.
3. Insect repellent.
Mosquitoes are really the only bother if you avoid confusing other plant-seeking insects with perfumes or other scents. Long pants and a loose, long-sleeved shirt offers good protection minimizing the need for dousing yourself with repellent. The experienced field biologists don't think the mosquitos are bad, but students always complain.
4. Swimming suit.
Even if you decide not to take a dip in the Rio for a close up look at those caimen, they're useful for washing your hair in a tropical rain. Light weight, easy to dry suits are best. Swimming is too dangerous if the rivers are up from rains. Did we mention that there are caimen?
5. Sandals.
Sandals or thongs that can stand getting wet are good for wearing to the showers or around the residence and dining hall so long as you remain on the sidewalks.
6. Flashlight.
A good flashlight, big and bright, is another essential. Bring a couple of an extra sets of batteries and a spare bulb with you. Carry one in your pack at all times; it gets very dark, very fast in the tropics (rotational speed of the Earth is greater near the equator). Rainforest at night is part of the tropical experience.
7. Shorts & T-shirts
Light weight sport wear is both comfortable and easy to pack. When not in the field, you'll want to dress comfortably. You’ll want long pants & long sleeves for out in the forest.
8. Sun block
OK here's a rule. No sunbathing, even if there's time. Sunburn is not really a problem in the forest, but we'll be arriving with December pasty complexions. The tropical sun can burn you to a crisp within minutes, so all fair-skinned types must be very cautious.
9. Underwear
Many experienced tropical field workers will suggest that underwear just isn't very useful or necessary in the tropics. Use light, breathable, cotton undies. Tight, nylon or other non-breathing synthetic fabrics can make you very uncomfortable in the heat and humidity. Use good judgment.
10. Small field notebook
It's a good idea to have a small notebook for recording field observations and citings. We will be provide you with a small waterproof field notebook.
11. Camera & film, if you aren't digital yet.
Good pictures are hard to get with average automatic cameras because the conditions of light and contrast, temperature and humidity are far from average. During a short-term trip there won't be too many troubles with humidity and your camera, but best to keep them in a plastic bag. If you use film, select ASA 400 and up.
12. Hat.
Umbrellas also provide shade, but you might want to have a hat to shade your eyes, face, ears or ward off the rain. You can decide about this one.
13. Field glasses/binoculars.
Even if you are not a bird watcher, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and other organisms live high in the canopy. We will have some ISU binoculars with us, but students get first dibs. If we have room we'll bring a spotting telescope.
14. Backpack.
To carry many of the above items on the trail, you’ll want some kind of pack. Use plastic bags to keep items dry when not in use. A water bottle is a good idea out on the trails.
15. One dinner/evening outfit for your one night out in San Jose.
Most places are very casual, but young Latin Americans tend to dress pretty sharply at night & at least one fashion conscious student complained bitterly about not having a dress. Darn! How could we have overlooked such a necessity!
16. Camp Stool.
It's hard to find places to sit down in rain forests. Don't sit on logs or stumps; ants think they belong to them, and we know better than argue with ants! You can carry a piece of plastic or tarp to sit upon, but having a folding camp stool can be very convenient and more comfortable particularly if you want to observe something for a bit.
17. Zip-lock Plastic Bags
Electronic things don't like tropical humidity. It's best to keep things bagged and dry when not in use. Keeping extra clothes in plastic bags once they're dried is also a good idea.
18. Field Guides.
The class will have field guides and reference materials available including some pictoral plant identification guides. However, serious birders should consider getting a copy of their own field guide to Costa Rican birds.
Do you have any general travel hints?
1. Travel light. You don't need much fancy on this trip. Plan to take only 1 suitcase or duffel bag and 1 carry-on bag or backpack. Everything ends up getting hefted onto the top of a coach (bus) or van..
2. Cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos - To pack light, only bring the essentials. Avoid anything scented. Very few insects have sensory organs adapted for finding humans, so why confuse them by smelling like something else. Especially use an unscented shampoo. Every year a few students ignore this rule, and we use them as bug bait and the rest of us benefit from their failure to take advice. Blue also tends to attract more insects than other colors.
3. Essentials - Remember, there will be no opportunity to shop, so if you will need it, bring it with you. The station can assist in obtaining some items from the local village.
4. Snacks & drinks - You will be able to get small snack items (like yuca chips) and small souvenir items at a small shop next to the dining hall. Cold sodas and ice cream can be purchased. Anything food items you bring or try to keep around the dorm must be completely sealed, or you will sharing it with ants within hours.
5. Plastic bags - Anything you want to stay dry should be packed and kept in plastic bags. The humidity will be high.