There are five main biological research stations for the use of researchers and students in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste: Center for Tropical Dry Forest Research, Maritza Biological Research Station, Cacao Biological Research Station, the Horizontes Experimental Forestry Research Station and Nancite Biological Research Station.
The Center for Tropical Dry Forest Research located in Santa Rosa Sector is the primary facility for scientific study in the ACG. Also found here are the offices of the ACG's Research Program, GIS, transportation, and other staff. The center's facilities are available year round. The other research stations have limited access depending on the time of year as well as limited infrastructure, but are often used by researchers due to the unique biological characteristics of the protected areas around them. Other ACG sectors have non-research stations that can be used by researchers or small groups who are interested in studying or visiting different parts of the ACG.
The research stations are also used for field courses of which there are currently 30 per year in the ACG. Most of these courses use one or more research stations during their stay and sometimes visit other stations as well.
For information about doing research or conducting field courses in the ACG, contact María Luisa Arias at the Center for Tropical Dry Forest Research at reservaciones@acguanacaste.ac.cr or +506 2666-5051 ext. 233 or review the Research Program's frequently asked questions page.
Download the Biological Research Stations Map (1.02 MB)
ACG Biological Research Stations:
Research Station Facilities:
| Santa Rosa | Maritza | Cacao | Pitilla | Nancite | Horizontes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available Beds | 74 | 32 | 32 | 20 | 10 | 52 | |
| Laboratory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Storage Area | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | |
| Library | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | |
| Food Service | Cafeteria | With Prior Notice | With Prior Notice | With Prior Notice | With Prior Notice | Cafeteria | |
| Vehicle Access | All Year, All Vehicles | 4x4 All Year | 4x4 in the Dry Season | 4x4 All Year | 4x4 in the Dry Season | All Year, All Vehicles | |
| Electricity | Yes | Yes | Solar Energy (limited availability) | Solar Energy (limited availability) | Solar Energy (limited availability) | Yes | |
| Telephone/Fax | Yes | No | No | No | No | Restricted | |
| Radio Communication | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| Cellphone Service | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Internet | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | |
| Plant Dryer | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | |
| Laundry | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | |
| Potable Water | Yes | Yes | Depends on the Source | Depends on the Source | Depends on the Source | Yes | |
| Herbarium | Yes | No | No | No | No | Arboretum | |
| Trails | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Conference Room | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Meteorological Station | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
