Frequently Asked Questions

The BCI 100 Symposium is an event with limited capacity. Make sure to register as soon as possible to secure your space. 

You can do Early Registration until April 26, 2024. Regular registration continues from April 27 until May 31. Late registration will take place between June 1 and June 6, 2024. On-site registration will also be available.  

Registered attendees will have Internet access, simultaneous translation during some events, coffee break, almuerzo, and AV needs.

Registration does not include lodging, transportation to the venues, or activities and events. Please check the BCI 100 Symposium page for information on lodging. If you sign up to an activity such as a field trip, the cost of transportation to the site is included in the price.  

You can access and modify your registration at any time. May 31st is the last day for refunds. Please read about our cancellation and refund policies.  

Yes. Make sure to indicate if you have any dietary restrictions during your registration. Remember that you can modify this at any time.  

Yes. Make sure to indicate if you have an accessibility requirement during your registration. Remember that you can modify this at any time.  

Write to us at stribci100@si.edu.

There is no fixed deadline, but we encourage everyone to submit as soon as possible to maximize their changes of obtaining a presentation slot. Review of abstracts began April 1, and submissions before that date were guaranteed full consideration for inclusion in the program.  Abstracts submitted after that date (and that pass the review process) are being added on a space available basis.

Presentations can be in English or Spanish.  We encourage presenters to make their presentations accessible in both languages, for example by having a handout size copy of their poster in the other language.

The Gamboa Rainforest Reserve is located in Goethals Boulevard, corregimiento de Cristobal, Colón Province, about 45 minutes to an hour from Panama city center.

You can get there by using the local bus service, MiBus, to get from Albrook Terminal. 

You can also take a taxi or use a transportation platform like Uber and InDriver.

General Information About Panama

Welcome to Panama!

Location: Panama is between 50 and 120 miles wide and is bounded by 477 miles of Caribbean coastline and 767 miles of Pacific coast.

Climate:  Days are warm to hot, nights cooler; temperatures range from 32 C (90 F) during the daytime to 21 C (70 F) in the evening.  Humidity is always high at about 80+ percent. “Dry season” occurs between the months of December to April, but from May to December there is always a chance of rain.

Time Zone:  Eastern Standard Time; however, Daylight Saving Time is not observed in Panama. When you are in Panama the time zone will be the same as Eastern Standard Time in the U.S.

Currency:  The U.S. Dollar (known locally as the Balboa).  Panama’s own coins match U.S. coins in size and value.

Language:  Spanish is the official language however; English is spoken in places throughout the city.

Electricity: 110 volts; 60 cycles.

Tipping:  10% to 15% of the bill.

Cellular Phones:  Cell phone services will work in Panama; travelers should check with their service provider to set up international access. 

Insurance Information

Medical insurance coverage while traveling is required.

Entry Requirements:

  • Valid Passport – upon arrival to Panama your passport must still be valid for 6 months, check expiration date on your passport.
  • Round trip airline ticket.
  • Sufficient funds for length of stay.

Overall, suggested attire:

For field trips: Short sleeved shirts or light long-sleeved shirts to protect you from the sun, hat, long pants, closed shoes (not sandals), sunscreen, and insect repellant (for forest visits). Sandals or water shoes for the beach.

Offices/Restaurants: Buildings can be chilly in the air conditioning.  Bring a light jacket or sweater.  Panamanian gentlemen generally wear long pants, ladies–pant-suits, dresses or skirts when in the city.

Map of Gamboa