Summer in Monteverde
Unique Experiences
Live in a rural mountain community
surrounded by friendly Costa Ricans who will teach you how to live a more sustainable lifestyle
Visit the Cloud Forest
where moss and orchids dripping with mist decorate the boughs of gnarly trees
Learn from Costa Rican coffee farmers
who maintain crops, improve their soils, and have high productivity with natural and climate-smart practices
Your Destination
Monteverde is Costa Rica’s eco-paradise, celebrated for its lush cloud forests, vibrant wildlife, and commitment to sustainability. In the summer, the region thrives with green landscapes, nature hikes, and outdoor adventures like zip-lining and night tours through the forest. Whether you are majoring in business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Monteverde is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Diversity Your Experience: Spend 1 or 2 consecutive 6-week blocks of your summer in the same host city or travel to different cities per block for increased mobility and cultural immersion.
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activites, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Cultural Projects: Volunteer with members of the local community, join student clubs to socialize with your peers, and attend local workshops and events to get to know your host city.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Monteverde will open doors for you to explore Costa Rica's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Hike under the dripping boughs of the Cloud Forest to observe colorful plants and animals
- Visit local coffee farms to learn from residents about their opinions on the pros and cons of ecotourism development
- Taking a day trip to a local, sustainable farm to enjoy a meal of 100% organically grown food direct from the field
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
My Experience Hiking the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
By: Lesleigh Taylor If you ever find yourself in the heart of Monteverde, a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve should be at the top of your list. Nestled... keep reading
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
Top 5 Spanish Study Abroad Programs for the Summer
Summer school hasn’t always sounded the most appealing. But you’re probably thinking about it the old way: Stuck in a boring classroom while wishing you were doing anything else. Think... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Monteverde offers dormitory housing to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home
Standard Housing: Whether on or off-campus, students live in dormitories surrounded by the Cloud Forest in triple or quad rooms shared with other CIEE students. Rooms have shared or ensuite bathrooms, shared desks, and shared closets.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
All students receive three meals per day. Accommodation for vegan and vegetarian diets is possible.
Academics
CIEE Monteverde: Study in the beautiful town of San Luis in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province, surrounded by lush forests and beautiful coffee farms. CIEE Monteverde is fully equipped with three classrooms, a student lounge, a library, a student life office, and an academic advising office.
Course Information
Summer Session I 2025
Summer Session II 2025
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 & 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.
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 | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $4,250 |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $4,250 |
| Program Summer Session I and II 2025 8 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $7,650 |
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 |
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| International Airfare | $650 |
| Local Transportation | $100 |
| Books & Supplies | $50 |
| Personal expenses | $135 † |
| Total Costs | $935 |
*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.
†$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 |
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| International Airfare | $650 |
| Local Transportation | $100 |
| Books & Supplies | $50 |
| Personal expenses | $135 † |
| Total Costs | $935 |
*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.
†$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 |
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.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| International Airfare | $650 |
| Local Transportation | $200 |
| Books & Supplies | $100 |
| Personal expenses | $270 † |
| Total Costs | $1,220 |
*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.
†$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
Our Staff
Pablo Allen
Center Director
Pablo is a native Costa Rican, born and raised in San José. He is an evolutionary ecologist interested in sexual selection, animal weapons, and phenotypic plasticity. Since rejoining CIEE in...
Jessica Arias
Academic Director
Jessica has a Ph.D. on Agricultural Science from the University of Costa Rica. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism and a master's degree in Sustainable Development, with a concentration in...
Jose Carlos Calderon
Student Life Manager
"Moncho" earned his bachelor's degree in Biology at the University of Costa Rica with a specialization in bats. He has worked for CIEE Monteverde for more than 10 years as...
Get Started
1
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.
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Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to spend your semester in Costa Rica! Set in in the stunning Monteverde region, known for its lush cloud forests and rich biodiversity.