High School Semester in Merida, Yucatan
Spend a semester abroad in Mexico’s safest city, where pastel streets and tropical heat meet music-filled plazas and incredible flavors.
Set in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida bursts with color, energy, and flavor. Stroll past candy-colored facades, hear the strum of traditional trova guitars, and sample tacos, fresh fruit paletas, and other dishes blending Caribbean and Mexican flavors. Live with a welcoming host family, bond with your cohort, and seriously boost your Spanish skills.
You’ll begin your semester in London, spending the first three weeks with fellow students in CIEE’s Global Gateway Academy. Prepare for a successful semester by forming lasting friendships, building strong intercultural communication skills, and connecting with the local community through impactful service projects.
In Mérida, you’ll take in-person classes like Environmental Science, Mixed Media Arts, and Spanish Language & Mexican Culture alongside online courses through ASU Prep Global. Classes are small and collaborative, and weekly activities take learning beyond the classroom—into bustling mercados, wild nature trails, and beyond. Spanish immersion happens naturally through day-to-day life, community engagement, and conversations with your very own language buddy.
Your semester includes an overnight trip to Valladolid to explore the ancient wonder of Chichén Itzá and swim in hidden cenotes, and a day trip to Uxmal’s towering pyramids with a sweet stop at the Chocolate Museum. You’ll leave with sharper skills, lifelong friendships, and the confidence to thrive in new places.
Why Choose This Program?
INDEPENDENCE & RESILIENCE
Experiencing life abroad shifts how you see the world—and yourself. You’ll return home with a broader perspective that shapes how you approach challenges and opportunities.
COLLEGE READINESS
Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life.
93%
said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
79%
said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.
96%
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.
The Destination
Welcome to Mérida—your doorway to Yucatán adventures, from jungle trails to midnight street food.
With just over 1.3 million residents, Mérida is the cultural capital of the Yucatán, built atop the ruins of an ancient Mayan city. Caribbean breezes mingle with the scents of street food in a tropical hub that blends vivid traditions, warm hospitality, and a laid-back rhythm that makes it easy to feel at home.
You’ll quickly fall into Mérida’s Yucatán vibe: morning strolls along palm-lined boulevards, afternoons browsing artisan markets bursting with handwoven hammocks and embroidered huipiles (traditional woven tunics), and evenings where live trova or salsa music fills the plazas. Nature is never far away. Explore local parks teeming with tropical birds or join friends for a short ride to nearby cenotes—cool, turquoise sinkholes perfect for an afternoon swim in crystal-clear water.
Food is its own adventure. Taste marquesitas (crispy crepes with cheese and sweet fillings), savor fresh seafood tostadas with Caribbean spices, or load your plate with sweet and smoky tacos al pastor. Between the flavors, festivals, and friendships you’ll build, Mérida offers the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and comfort for your semester abroad.
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Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
From cooking up regional flavors to exploring historic estates, your Mérida adventures go way beyond the classroom. Your semester abroad will immerse you in the vibrant culture and history of the Yucatan, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Cooking Class: Traditional Yucatecan Food
Step into a lively kitchen and learn the secrets of Yucatán cooking from a local chef. Chop fresh herbs, grind spices, and simmer dishes like cochinita pibil or sopa de lima until the air is filled with mouthwatering aromas. Then comes the best part — sitting down with your classmates to taste everything you’ve made. You’ll head home with recipes (and skills) to wow your friends and family.
Visit to Hacienda Yaxcopoil
Travel back in time at this sprawling 17th-century estate, once a hub for “green gold” — the sisal plant, with its strong fibers that made rope and mats before synthetic materials took over. Wander past antique machinery, lush gardens, and grand living quarters as you imagine life here during its heyday.
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Eligibility
- Be between the ages of 15 and 17 when the program starts and cannot turn 18 while on program.
- Be in the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Demonstrate, through the application process, flexibility, maturity, adaptability, and readiness to face the challenges of living in a new culture.
Dates & Fees
Priority deadline discount: Apply to a fall semester or academic year by February 15 and get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by July 15 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from final balance.
High school abroad participants are NOT authorized to volunteer, take jobs, or seek employment during their stay.
Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2026 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | ||
| Program Spring 2027 15 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.
Dates for this program are tentative. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ready to change your life?
Staff
Karla Zarco
Center Director
Karla is the Center Director of CIEE in Mérida, and she brings to CIEE more than 25 years of experience working in the international education field. Karla studied abroad in...
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