Barro
Colorado
Island
Explore the isolated forests
surrounding our renowned
research station
Projects and Stories
Barro Colorado
Seminars & Events
Currently, we have no upcoming seminars. For more information click here.
Science in Action
The first volumes of the BCI 100
celebration series are now
available online
Smithsonian Receives $12 Million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for forest carbon verification with GEO-TREES
Wartime grant brings Ukrainian bat biologists to Panama
How fallen leaves sustain tropical forests
Barro Colorado 100 years
of Discovery and Wonder exhibit
opens in Washington
My Journey to Barro Colorado Island
(Part 3 of 3)
Science is a team effort: 40 years of forest dynamics research on Barro Colorado Island
(Part 2 of 3)
Drones help solve tropical
tree mortality mysteries
Barro Colorado Island was formed by the creation of Lake Gatun in 1913 during the construction of the Panama Canal. The 15-square-kilometer island is home to one of the oldest tropical research stations in the world, where studies have been carried out for more than 100 years. Every year, more than 400 scientists visit this rainforest-covered living laboratory to study biology, ecology, evolution and animal behavior.
Day visitors are welcome to Barro Colorado Island. Visits must be booked in advance, and include boat transportation to and from the island.
| Days Visits | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Friday | 7:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Saturday - Sunday | 8:00 am - 3:00 pm |
Visitors are asked to be at the Smithsonian dock in Gamboa half an hour before departure. STRI's boats adhere to a strict schedule.
| General Admission Rates | Cost |
|---|---|
| Foreign adult | $125.00 |
| Foreign student | $75.00 |
| Panamanian adult | $55.00 |
| Foreign with Panamanian residency status | $55.00 |
| Local student | $30.00 |
| Panamanian retiree | $44.00 |
We accept VISA, MasterCard and American Express credit cards.
Attractions
Flora and Fauna
BCI teems with biodiversity. It is home to almost 400 bird species, some 500 species of butterflies and 500 species of trees. Lucky visitors will see (and hear) troupes of howler monkeys, colorful toucans, mischievous agoutis and millions-strong ant colonies.
Nature Trails
Dozens of trails weave through the forests of Barro Colorado. The trails for visitors include dozens of stops where guides will tell visitors about the history and scientific discoveries of the islands. The trails have moderate inclines and descents that may not be suitable for all visitors.
Lake Gatun and the Panama Canal
With views of the lush forests along either bank of the canal and the chance that you’ll cross paths with an enormous cargo ship, the boat ride to and from the island can be an adventure in itself.
Professional Guides
BCI is one of the few protected areas in Panama where expert, multilingual naturalists are there to explain the wonders of tropical nature to visitors.
Science in Action
With dozens of scientists working on Barro Colorado Island at any given time, visitors can get a firsthand look at research in action.
Full-Service Cafeteria
Visitors to BCI are served lunch (with vegetarian options) in the island’s dining hall, offering you the opportunity to enjoy a meal alongside BCI’s resident naturalists.
For School Groups
School groups with less than 10 people can visit BCI on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. School groups with more than 10 students (but less than 30 people) can visit on Saturdays and Sundays only. The minimum age for visitors to BCI is 10 years old. BCI does not receive visits on Mondays and Thursdays.
Research
A mecca for tropical biologists, Barro Colorado Island and five surrounding peninsulas provide easy access for scientists to central Panama’s lowland tropical forest. Collaborations among the more than 400 students and experts who visit each year yield research projects that help us understand one of the world’s most complex terrestrial ecosystems.
Team
Jenniffer Saucedo
Visitors Program Coordinator
Aldy Mariscal
Public Programs Assistant
