By Liliana Lines
Arboretum and Campus Experience Fellow, Osa Conservation, Costa Rica
From the Rainforest: My Princeton in Latin America Fellowship at Osa Conservation
When people ask what it’s like to live in the Costa Rican rainforest for a year, I usually start with one word: wild. And I don’t just mean the monkeys, pumas, and snakes (though they’re definitely part of it). I’m talking about a complete shift in how you live and think, surrounded by the most incredible biodiversity, working on projects that feel like they’re making a real impact, and constantly being challenged to step out of your comfort zone. That’s been my life as a Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) Fellow at Osa Conservation.
How I Got Here
Let’s back up a bit. I graduated from Bowdoin College with a major in Earth & Oceanographic Science and a minor in Mathematics, plus interests in environmental science, digital media, and Latin American culture. I’d taken Spanish since I was young, studied Latin American history, and always wanted to work in this part of the world. So, when I found out about the PiLA program—specifically the opportunity to work with Osa Conservation—I was in. It was the perfect mix of everything I loved: the environment, fieldwork, and the chance to contribute to real-world conservation efforts.
Osa Conservation (OC) is located on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, a region known for being one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It’s packed with more wildlife and plant species than you can imagine. And the work OC does is incredible—they’re all about preserving the rainforest, engaging with the local community, and studying species like jaguars and pumas (more on that later).
As a PiLA Fellow, I’m tasked with creating tools to help visitors navigate Osa’s rugged landscape while learning about the importance of conservation. It might sound like office work, but let me just say, there’s nothing routine about creating digital maps when you’re literally in the middle of the jungle.
The Arrival: Planes, Taxis, and Dirt Roads
I landed at Osa Conservation on June 15, 2024. My fellow PiLA participant, Syd, and I were the first fellows to arrive this year, which added to the sense of adventure. We took a tiny plane from San José to Puerto Jiménez. It was the kind of plane where you can see everything outside—the forests, rivers, and coastline. The flight only lasted 45 minutes, but it felt like an adventure already.
Puerto Jiménez’s airport is not your typical airport. It’s basically just a strip of runway surrounded by rainforest. We barely touched down because of lots of wind and rain, but on our second try we hit the ground smoothly. When you land, they give you Sansa-themed umbrellas so you don’t get wet as you walk from the airstrip to their office!
After landing, we still had to get to the Osa campus. Enter: the most bumpy, winding, dirt-road taxi ride of my life. An hour and a half of bouncing through the jungle, but the views? Worth every second. As we drove deeper into the forest, we passed towering trees, thick vines, and all kinds of wildlife sounds filling the air. I don’t think I stopped staring out the window the whole ride. It felt like the start of a real adventure.
What I’m Working On
Once we settled in at the Osa campus and got the grand tour (including a delicious lunch shared with all the staff on-site), it was time to start work. My main job here is to design tools that will help visitors explore the area and understand the importance of the conservation work happening all around them.
One of the coolest projects I’m working on is developing an offline map. There’s no cell service out here in the jungle, so having something visitors can use without needing the internet is crucial. I’m creating a map that shows all the trails, key landmarks, and points of interest, but the challenge is making sure it’s user-friendly and works offline. It’s a tech-meets-nature kind of project, and I really enjoy it.
I’m also creating a “Story Map” that will be embedded in Osa’s website. It’s an interactive tool that shares stories about the different areas visitors can explore, highlighting the conservation work being done. And for the younger crowd, I’m putting together an “Adventure Book” for 8-12-year-old kids, which is packed with educational activities to help them learn about biodiversity and conservation while they’re here.
The Day I (Almost) Got Eaten by a Puma
Let’s talk about the wildlife. This place is full of it. There’s a constant chorus of howler monkeys, toucans flying overhead, and snakes slithering through the underbrush. But nothing could’ve prepared me for my encounter with a puma.
One afternoon, I decided to take a solo walk on one of the trails. It was a typical day—me, the rainforest, and my podcast (shoutout to the Comedy Bang Bang podcast for keeping me company). As I walked, everything was peaceful...until it wasn’t. Suddenly, I heard rustling ahead. I looked up, and there it was—a full-grown puma, sprinting across the trail, chasing something small (a peccary, maybe?). I froze. And just when I thought things couldn’t get crazier, I noticed something else was chasing the puma.
To say I freaked out would be an understatement. I did what any rational person would do: I turned around and walked (okay, speed-walked) the other way. My heart was pounding. But after a few minutes, I convinced myself the puma was gone and turned back around. Big mistake.
I put my podcast back on and had begun to relax when I heard a growl. A deep, menacing growl coming from the bushes. The puma was still there. That’s when I ran—well, as much as you can run in rainboots. I didn’t stop until I was completely out of breath.
I called Syd, who immediately alerted the Wildlife Team. They calmed me down, explaining that pumas here don’t usually attack people. Still, I wasn’t exactly comforted. Eventually, I met someone on the trail who walked with me to the Movement Ecology headquarters (which, by the way, is on this gorgeous hill with an incredible view of the sunset). The team there was half-concerned, half-jealous. Puma sightings are rare—they only happen about once every two months. So naturally, they were excited to hear my story.
Life in the Rainforest: Reflections
Life here is a mix of awe-inspiring beauty and daily challenges. There’s something magical about waking up to the sounds of howler monkeys or spotting a toucan while you’re brushing your teeth. But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Living in the jungle comes with its fair share of discomforts: unpredictable weather, giant bugs, and the occasional puma encounter.
But it’s in these challenges that I’ve found the most growth. There’s something humbling about being in a place that’s so wild and untouched. It forces you to slow down, appreciate the natural world around you, and reflect on the role we play in preserving it. Here in the Osa Peninsula, you’re constantly reminded of our inherent connection with nature, and our responsibility for protecting these precious, one-of-a-kind ecosystems.
Final Thoughts
Being a Princeton in Latin America Fellow at Osa Conservation has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. From developing tools that help visitors connect with this incredible ecosystem to nearly being eaten by a puma (okay, I’m exaggerating, but you get it), it’s been 3 months of growth, adventure, and meaningful work. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to live and work in such a special place. If you ever get the chance to visit the Osa Peninsula, do it. You won’t regret it.