Coastal Marine Education and Research Academy
C.M.E.R.A.
Colombia Tropical Marine Ecology
Class will be held December 14- 21, 2024
There are only 12 slots per class. Spaces are filling up quickly!
Interested participants are encouraged to submit an application and deposit as soon as possible to secure your space for the class. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis until the trip is full.
WHEN:
December 14-21, 2024
WHERE:
Cartagena and Santa Marta Colombia
PURPOSE:
To study tropical marine ecology, educating participants in the local marine life and other tropical wildlife and ecosystems, on site, as no other program can.
This trip will include three days of scuba diving or snorkeling in the beautiful Caribbean sea off the coast of Colombia. There are beautiful corals, tropical fish, turtles and other marine life we will be observing. Students will receive lectures regarding the local marine ecology from one of our professors while in Santa Marta. Santa Marta is a charming coastal town and we will be staying a short distance from the beach and dive shop. Our partner, Mundo Marino Aquarium will be one of our stops to see there facility and learn about their conservation efforts locally. We will be also be observing different animals in tidal pools in Tayrona a nearby national park. The Tayrona National Natural Park is habitat for a great diversity of fauna species, as several groups of mammals and cats have been listed for the area: The Jaguar, the Ocelot, the Tigrillo and the famous Puma. Apart from the forty species of bats, a total of 59 species of mammals are reported, including monkeys, sloths, the armadillo, the red deer, the anteater, and five species of mammals. 396 species of birds are reported, including the small tinamou, the king vulture, the sparrow hawk, the tick-footed falcon and the purple macaw. Among the reptiles are four species of sea turtles and the snake Boa constrictor. Lastly, the presence of the needle cayman has been reported, being the Tayrona National Park one of the few populations present in the Colombian Caribbean. It is important the great diversity of marine species of the park, as molluscs, crustaceans, algae and corals, among others. We will also be visiting the vibrant and historical city of Cartagena with it's walled city, forts and beautiful beaches and marine life. One of the most unique stops will be at the Tutomo volcano where everyone will have the opportunity to enter the volcanos mud filled caldera for a once in a lifetime adventure!
This PayPal button can be used to pay your balance after your registration and deposit.
The Course Fee: $1850
What’s Included:
- 7 nights of lodging
- All transportation from the time you arrive at the airport in Cartagena, Colombia
- Lectures on local marine life and ecosystems as well as other unique terrestrial wildlife and ecosystems
- Three days of scuba dives or snorkeling!
- Aquarium behind the scenes tour along with conservation lecture
- Tidal pool lectures
- Tayrona Park lessons and tour
- Totumo Volcano tour
- Breakfast and dinners
The course fee does not include airfare since each student is traveling from a different part of the US and airfare will vary from student to student. All students will fly into CARTAGENA - COLOMBIA
NOTE: Students may fly into the country one day early or leave one day late (prior to 6 p.m.) if the airfare is less expensive. However, keep in mind you will have to pay an extra night at the hotel ($50) depending on availability and will be responsible for all your meals on the extra days. We will still provide transportation to and from the airport. A PASSPORT IS MANDATORY FOR THIS TRIP!
Additional costs: Students should bring money for souvenirs and incidental expenses, students may wish to do activities that are not on the itinerary during free time which are not covered by the course fee.
Payment schedule:
- $250 deposit due with application.
- Remaining amount due six weeks prior to the start of the trip.
- Deposits become nonrefundable when you are accepted into the class.
- If the class you are applying for is full, your deposit will be refunded.
- If the class is cancelled by CMERA, your deposit will be refunded.
ONCE FULL PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS THE CLASS IS CANCELLED BY CMERA. We highly recommended you purchase travel insurance.
Due to the fluctuating prices for airfare that our participants receive from different parts of the country, airfare is not included in the cost of the program. Participants are advised not to purchase their flights until notified by CMERA that the minimum class requirements have been met.
Please keep in mind although we regularly see the animals mentioned above, these are wild animals and we have no control over when they appear and for how long.
Please contact us anytime with questions at (843) 246-0750. Email: info@coastalmera.com