Residency on the island is limited to the scientists who work for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and students conducting research there. Since 1923, the island has been dedicated to the scientific study of all aspects of this tropical habitat and the animal and plant life found there. In addition to the housing facilities and field station there are fully equipped laboratories, greenhouses and maintenance facilities to support the institute and the work done there.
Since the entire island serves as a living laboratory for researchers, access is typically limited to scientists and other staff members. A limited number of day tours let the public explore unrestricted regions of the island. These tours consist of small groups of people that are closely controlled in an effort to lessen their impact on the environment.
STRI offers tours of the island five days per week. Visitors are transported by boat from Gamboa and led on a guided tour of the forest that lasts approximately three hours. The tour ends at the Visitor Center where guests can learn more about the various research projects being conducted at the facility through static displays and interactive exhibits.
There are some small-ship cruises that include stops at Barro Colorado. Upon arrival at the island, guests will board a small watercraft piloted by an expedition leader. The group is then taken to remote lake areas where they can observe and photograph the monkeys, birds and various reptiles in their rain forest habitat.
