yucatan woman at mayan ruins
Yucatan, Mexico

Summer in Yucatan

New for Summer 2025!

Study Program

Tentative Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Spend your summer exploring Mérida, a vibrant city on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and embark on a journey through history and culture to appreciate the region's rich tapestry of Mayan and colonial heritage. Designed for students from all academic backgrounds, this exciting program offers a unique blend of academic excellence and cultural exploration set against the backdrop of Mérida’s stunning architecture and lively streets.  

When class is in session, you’ll take courses led by expert faculty across a wide range of subjects that will provide you with a comprehensive and interactive study of the Yucatán. Outside the classroom, you’ll have every opportunity to explore all Mérida has to offer, including guided tours to ancient Mayan ruins (like Chichén Itzá and Uxmal), visits to the natural wonders of the region (like stunning cenotes), and many exciting cultural activities such as cooking classes and traditional Yucatecan dance performances.

Take your studies to one of the safest cities in Latin America where you’ll practice your Spanish language skills, form lasting friendships with peers, and live with a local Mexican host family to experience the authenticity of daily life in Mérida! 

Unique Experiences

Discover the impact of Mayan influence

by exploring Mérida, the vibrant capital of the Yucatán peninsula

Live with a Yucatecan family

and immerse yourself in the Mexican culture

Enjoy exciting field trips

to museums and archaeological Mayan sites

#1

RANKED CITY FOR HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE IN MEXICO BY THE UN-HABITAT’S CITY PROSPERITY INDEX (2022)

3

TIME AWARD WINNER OF BEING RANKED AS ONE OF THE THREE BEST CITIES IN MEXICO TO LIVE, INVEST, AND DO BUSINESS; THE CITY’S ECONOMY IS DIVERSE, WITH A GROWING EMPHASIS ON MANUFACTURING AND TOURISM

1st

CITY TO BE NAMED AMERICAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND IT’S THE ONLY CITY THAT HAS RECEIVED THE TITLE TWICE

Experience
  • yucatan large student group at monument
  • yucatan plaza grande merida

Your Destination

Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, is a city that captivates with its unique blend of colonial history and Mayan culture. It’s a place where ancient traditions are woven into the fabric of daily life, making it a fascinating destination for those seeking a deeper understanding of Mexico’s rich heritage. The city’s streets are lined with pastel-colored buildings, and the sound of marimba music fills the air, inviting visitors to explore and immerse themselves in its vibrant atmosphere.

What makes Mérida particularly interesting is its commitment to preserving and celebrating its cultural identity. Throughout the year, the city hosts numerous festivals and events that showcase traditional music, dance, and cuisine.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Yucatán. 

The Culture

yucatan girl on boat ride

Excursions & Activities

Excursions and activities during your program may include:

  • Exploring a significant archaeological zone to gain hands-on experience with ancient ruins and a get a glimpse into the Mayan civilization
  • Visiting El Corchito to experience the region´s flora and fauna diversity while enjoying a boat ride through the lagoon to get to the mangroves
  • Immersing yourself in the rich Mayan culture by visiting the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, which offers a deep dive into the history and traditions of the Mayan people 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Study Abroad in Mexico: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Ready to trade your dorm room for palm trees and panuchos? Studying abroad in Mexico is your chance to do just that! Picture this: You’re taking classes at the stunning... keep reading

From CIEE

Top 6 Mexico Study Abroad Programs

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Picture yourself trading your college campus for the vibrant streets of Mérida, where every day is a new opportunity to explore Mexico’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. This city... keep reading

From CIEE

What are the Best Places to Study Abroad in Latin America?

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

If you’re reading this, you’re probably ready to take your college experience to the next level with an extraordinary study abroad adventure. What better way to do than by discovering... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

Students take one 3-credit course per session and have the option to add an additional 1-credit Communicative Spanish course. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to sites around Yucatán. Courses are taught by CIEE instructors. Experiential learning experiences and guest speakers will introduce students to a different cultural, academic, and professional perspective. All CIEE faculty are familiar with the U.S. academic system and culture.  

GPA

2.5 

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.   

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Program Credit

Total Credit: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits per session

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits;45-60 contact hours 
  • Communicative Spanish Course: 1 U.S. semester/1.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours

Students studying with CIEE for multiple sessions may only take Communicative Spanish once.  

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Each course is a full semester in content, so the pace is accelerated, and the workload is demanding. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. Similar to classes at U.S. institutions, students should expect to spend an average of two hours of preparation and study for each hour in CIEE classes. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Yucatán when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends.

Class Format

Courses are taught at the CIEE Yucatán Center and are typically for CIEE students only. A typical class schedule will span from Monday to Friday and meet 2-4 times per week, for anywhere from 1-3 hours per class session, depending on the course. Attendance in CIEE classes is strictly enforced, both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. Instruction is supported and augmented online by CIEE’s learning management system, Canvas.   

Grading

CIEE reports all final course grades to students’ home institutions using a U.S. letter grade equivalent scale of A-F. For CIEE-administered courses, students’ grades are based on class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Summer Session I 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Summer Session II 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE STEM Scholarship
  • Trailblazer Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $4,250
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $4,250
Program Summer Session I and II 2025 8 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $7,650

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300

Educational Costs = $2,550*

Housing = $1,200**

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $4,250

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $224

International Airfare = $680††

Local Transportation = $70

Personal expenses = $125†††

Total Costs = $1,099

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

**Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner).

††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300

Educational Costs = $2,550*

Housing = $1,200**

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $4,250

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $224

International Airfare = $680††

Local Transportation = $70

Personal expenses = $125†††

Total Costs = $1,099

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

**Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner).

††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300

Educational Costs = $4,750*

Housing = $2,400**

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $7,650

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $448

International Airfare = $680††

Local Transportation = $140

Personal expenses = $250†††

Total Costs = $1,518

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

**Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner).

††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Karla Zarco

Center Director

Karla is the Center Director of CIEE in Yucatán, and she brings to CIEE more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in...

Alan Barroso

Program & Student Life Manager

Alan joined CIEE Yucatan in March 2022 as Student Life and Academics Manager. He is an experienced Psychologist focused on student coaching and tutoring.

Celia Novelo

Program Coordinator

Celia is the Program Coordinator at CIEE Yucatan. She is motivated by her experience abroad in France and loves to exchange intercultural experiences with students.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info