Our tropical field station stands in the largest fragment of lowland wet tropical forests on the Pacific slope.

Research Facilities

Within our 7,000 acre wildlife refuge, researchers can access:

  • Working laboratory space & WiFi
  • Meals on-site
  • Ugalde-Forsyth Classroom (24 hours a day)
  • Shared work space – Private work space available by reservation
  • Chilled sample space
  • Air conditioned storage space (limited)
  • Treetop access via canopy tower

Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea

Enjoy access to over 30 kilometers of self-guided trails that traverse old-growth, secondary and mangrove forests. Our campus protects the entire Piro river watershed and provides access to the remote rocky coastline of Piro Beach. 

Comfortable Field Accommodations

Researchers can reserve shared or private accommodations with immediate access to the rainforest, laboratory, classroom, and work space.

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Testimonials

In 2008, I first stepped foot in Osa, and I’ve been coming back to the Osa nearly every year since, first as a graduate student, then a postdoc, and later a professor. Each year I return to the Osa, I fall in love with its amazing wildlife once again.

Dr. Mark LaidreAssistant Professor of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College

I have traveled throughout most of Latin America in search of amazing herping spectacles ... I saw marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) and Galapagos giant tortoises (Chelonoidis nigra), I witnessed an astonishing diversity of poison frogs in Peru and made some interesting scientific discoveries on the Tepuis of Venezuela. My curiosity has now led me to one of the tiniest countries: Costa Rica. Here, the herpetological diversity is bewildering and vibrant - it was a breathtaking sight.

Dr. Cesar Barrio-AmorosScientific Director and Photographer, CR Wild

Plan your Field Season at the Osa Conservation Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Osa Conservation Campus located?

Osa Conservation is located in the southern part of Costa Rica, in the Osa Peninsula. The Peninsula is renowned as the most biologically diverse place on earth, where an astounding array of biodiversity resides on a miniscule fraction of the Earth’s surface. 

Our campus is situated between Corcovado National Park and Puerto Jimenez on the peninsula’s south western coastline. Depending on road conditions and weather, the campus is about a 50 minute drive (26 km / 16 mi) west out of Puerto Jimenez.

Do I need a permit to study the forest or wildlife?

This depends on the research you are conducting. Contact our team (reservations@osaconservation.org) for details on the permit process.

Is there private work space?

Our campus offers work spaces across three facilities, so there is always plenty of room for you and your work. You can also request private work space. 

Can I get laundry done?

Yes, you can request a laundry bag from our office and we will send it to Puerto Jimenez to be cleaned and returned promptly for a fee. You may also opt to clean or rinse your own clothes in our laundry sinks and dry them on our laundry lines.

Can I access Osa Conservation's data?

Osa Conservation is very dedicated to open access data, and we strive to make our data accessible for all. Click here to see our dataset overview, and contact us directly with specific inquiries.

I have more questions.

Click here to visit our comprehensive FAQ page or contact us via email: reservations@osaconservation.org.

Researcher Rates

Thank you for your interest in conducting your research at the Osa Conservation Campus. Prior to booking your reservation, please contact our team directly at reservations@osaconservation.org to pre-approve your research project.

All rates are displayed in US Dollar and are current for 2023 & 2024 reservations. These prices reflect our researchers daily discount, reserved for pre-approved research projects at the Osa Conservation Campus. These prices reflect prices for mid- and long-term research projects; short term research projects (less than two weeks) may be subject to adjusted rates. 

Stays include shared lodging and three meals daily. For private lodging rates, please contact us directly at reservations@osaconservation.org.

Senior Researchers (PhD & Postdoc)

  • $60 per day

Junior Researchers

  • $45 per day (international)
  • $40 per day (national)

We also have private lodging available at a discounted rate to pre-approved researchers

  • Private lodging $75 per day

Contact Us Today!

Contact us to directly to begin planning your research outing. Send us an email at reservations@osaconservation.org with the subject line “Research Inquiry” or fill out the contact form below and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.

Hi, I'm Rocio, our Campus Coordinator. I'm here to help streamline your reservation and answer any questions you may have!