Summer in Monteverde
New for Summer 2025!
Unique Experiences
Live in a rural mountain community
surrounded by friendly Costa Ricans who will teach you how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, while you gain new professional skills
Visit the Cloud Forest
where mosses and orchids dripping with mist decorate the boughs of gnarly trees and brightly colored birds dart through the fog in search of fruits; this resource is critical not only for the economy of Monteverde, but also for the hundreds of plants and animals that call this wet paradise home
Learn from Costa Rican coffee farmers
who maintain crops, improve their soils, and have high productivity with natural and climate-smart practices
6
ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN COSTA RICA, MANY MORE DORMANT OR EXTINCT
3
DIFFERENT MONKEY SPECIES CAN BE FOUND IN MONTEVERDE
8
COFFEE-PRODUCING REGIONS THROUGHOUT COSTA RICA, EACH WITH ITS OWN DISTINCT TASTE
Your Destination
Located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica, Monteverde lies along the continental divide at the crest of the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain chain, which is blanketed by a cool, wet cloud forest extending down into the Atlantic lowlands. The cloud forest provides a striking contrast to the deciduous forest on the Pacific side.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded in 1972 to protect the entire ridge above Monteverde and down into the Peñas Blancas Valley. Due to its unique history and geography, Monteverde is home to exotic flora, fauna, wildlife, and sustainability projects, including agriculture, energy production, water conservation, forest management, and biodiversity conservation.
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 Monteverde.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
Excursions and activities included in your program may include:
- Hiking under the dripping boughs of the cloud forest to observe colorful plants and animals; insiders will tell you how these protected areas both conserve biodiversity and contribute to the economy
- Visiting local coffee farms to learn from residents about their opinions on the pros and cons of ecotourism development
- Exploring indoor and outdoor campus areas that access forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration, and co-curricular activities
- Taking a day trip to a local, sustainable farm to enjoy a meal of 100% organically grown food direct from the field
Program Blogs
Happy Earth Day: Today and Every Day
Happy Earth Day! Every April 22, this global event comes around to remind us how precious our planet is, what sustainable efforts we can make to protect Earth, and that... keep reading
CIEE Monteverde Campus Used in Insect and Light Research Study
Have you ever wondered why insects are drawn to artificial light? From campfires to porch lightbulbs, moths and other insects appear to congregate around these sources of light as soon... keep reading
CIEE Global Interns Building a Sustainable Future
Global Internships are an important part of the work we do at CIEE to help individuals build bridges across culture and contribute positively to the world. Working abroad is the... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Monteverde offers dormitory housing to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. Whether on or off-campus, students live in dormitories surrounded by the Cloud Forest.
Standard Housing: Includes a double, triple, or quad room shared with other CIEE students. Rooms feature shared or ensuite bathrooms, shared desks, and shared closets.
Meals
All students receive three meals per day. Accommodation for vegan and vegetarian diets is possible
Academics
Since 1989, CIEE Monteverde has been shaping the way field science, conservation, and sustainability is taught. Working closely with the local community, we maintain strong partnerships with Costa Rica’s biologists, conservationists, farmers, educators, engineers, and local families. In turn, students gain deep insight into the drivers and stakeholders of this sustainable and engaged community and their commitment to biodiversity protection.
The Summer in Monteverde program is an intensive introduction to issues facing many tropical, developing nations. Students have access to a range of complementary co-curricular and professional development activities. Courses are taught by qualified instructors at CIEE Monteverde.
CIEE Monteverde is located in an area that includes forest and farms against a backdrop of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Facilities include classrooms, residence halls, and recreational areas in a natural setting. There are wet and dry laboratories, an herbarium, plus organic gardens to support a wide array of STEM studies and research opportunities. An extensive trail system through forests and fields links classrooms to a botanical garden, animal stables, and coffee and vegetable production areas.
Course Information
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.
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 * | ||
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Summer Session I and II 2025 8 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
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.
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
Our Staff
Pablo Allen
Center Director
Pablo is a native Costa Rican, born and raised in San José. He is an an evolutionary ecologist interested in sexual selection, animal weapons, and phenotypic plasticity. Since rejoining CIEE...
Jessica Arias
Academic Director
Jessica has a PhD on Agricultural Science from the University of Costa Rica. She earned a BSc. in Ecotourism and an MSc. in Sustainable Development, with a concentration in Conservation of...
Jose Carlos Calderon
Student Life Manager
"Moncho" earned his BSc in Biology at the University of Costa Rica with a specialization in bats. He has worked for CIEE Monteverde for over 10 years as Assistant Instructor...
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