We are accepting applications for our annual Tropical Marine Ecology
course in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica and San Juan del Sur,
Nicaragua. This is a 10 day trip during which we will be educating
students on the various ecosystems in the area including mangrove forests,
coral reefs, rocky reefs, and sandy bottom areas.  Our own marine
biologist, as well as local marine biologists, will be lecturing about
these ecosystems, the various animals that live in these unique habitats,
and any potential conservation issues that these ecosystems or specific
species in the area face.  We will then be taking the students into the
field to experience these ecosystems and to observe the animals in their
natural environment through scuba diving, snorkeling, beach walks, and
exploring tidal pools.

This year we are conducting 2 trips to accommodate different winter break
schedules.  The dates are below:

Trip #1: December 14 - 23, 2013
Trip #2: December 27, 2013 - January 5, 2014

The cost of the trip is $1,699 and includes 3 days of scuba diving or
snorkeling with all rental gear, 9 nights of lodging, all transportation
from the time you arriving at the airport in Costa Rica until you depart
the airport in Costa Rica, horseback riding, zip-lining, volcano tour, all
lectures and video screenings, all breakfast and most dinners.

Not included: airfare to and from Costa Rica as students are flying from
all over the US and airfare varies greatly, all lunches, a few dinners,
trip insurance, diver insurance, and extra money for souvenirs and snacks.

Spaces on these trips were first given to our summer 2013 research
participants and both trips are currently half full.  We are only taking
12 students on each trip.  To join us on this amazing adventure please
visit our website (http://coastalmera.com/) and go to the Costa Rica page.
Fill out the application and upon receipt of the application we will send
you an invoice for a deposit of $500.  All applications and deposits are
due by September 30, 2013 and the payment balance is due by November 1,
2013.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at
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