Countries in the global north are those that are considered substantially developed and benefit economically from high gross domestic product and a wealth of capital distribution. Along with the multitude of privileges that come with this financial stability is the ability for scientific studies to be well-funded. Well-funded research can allow for the use of better equipment and more personnel, further increasing the state of knowledge in these regions. As an example, advancements in stream ecology have been gradual yet consistent throughout North America and Western Europe, leading to the renowned theories that can and have been tested time and time again, such as the River Continuum Concept. Unfortunately, countries in the global south do not receive nearly as much funding for scientific research. This in turn affects the quality of research and the development of ideas and progress in stream conservation. Furthermore, ecological stream concepts developed in countries throughout the global north cannot be directly applied to streams in the global south due to the vast differences in habitats and ecologies of the native flora and fauna, geology, weather patterns, and more. Here, we discuss a case study of the roadblocks faced throughout the process of an underfunded research project in Costa Rican streams and provide suggestions for how researchers in the global north can directly contribute to the advancement of science in tropical streams.