Marine Ecology & Sustainability
A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future
Explore
Have fun discovering the Yucatán Peninsula through Mérida’s stunning cenotes and unique marine life.
Network
Meet new friends and marine biologists. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Launch your future today! Survey plant and animal life and inventory environmental threats to marine ecosystems. Discover how to make a difference back home.
The Destination
Welcome to Mérida, where colorful streets, tropical heat, and the scent of citrus and spices fill the air.
Mérida is built on the site of an ancient Maya city, where water has always shaped life in the region. With no surface rivers, the Maya relied on cenotes—natural freshwater sinkholes connected to underground rivers—and these waterways hold deep cultural and environmental significance that still carries today. Founded later as a Spanish colonial city, Mérida’s colorful streets and plazas reflect that layered history. Today, the famously safe city is home to about one million people, with over half identifying as Indigenous. Mérida is a fascinating place to explore how culture and environment remain closely connected.
Life in Mérida unfolds outdoors. Spend time in Plaza Grande, where locals gather for music, dancing, and evening events, or wander through nearby markets filled with color, handmade goods, and local ingredients. The food is a highlight; try regional specialties like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) and papadzules (tortillas filled with egg and topped with pumpkin seed sauce), or grab a marquesita (a crispy dessert).
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Social feed above may feature posts from all CIEE Study Abroad programs, including college programs.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Overnight Trip to Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Step into a landscape that feels surreal—shallow pink lakes, bright blue sky, and flocks of flamingos moving through the water. At Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, one of the most unique coastal ecosystems in Mexico, you’ll explore wetlands that stretch across more than 227,000 hectares, home to mangroves, lagoons, and a wide range of wildlife. The iconic pink color comes from salt-loving microorganisms, the same source of the flamingos’ vibrant feathers.
Stay in the laid-back beach town of El Cuyo, known for its quiet streets and wide stretches of soft, white sand. Walk along the shoreline as the breeze comes off the water, feel the warm, salty air, and gather with your group for a sunset bonfire. It’s a chance to slow down, connect, and experience this environment up close, where conservation, wildlife, and unforgettable moments all come together.
Overnight Trip to El Palmar State Ecological Reserve
Spend two nights away exploring El Palmar State Ecological Reserve. Visit El Palmar beach, one of the most important ecological reserves in the Yucatan. Known for its wide variety of plant and animal life, this beach is an ideal location to observe biodiversity and support ecological conservation efforts.
Kayak through a maze of mangroves, where tangled roots rise from the water. You’ll explore this ecosystem from the water, observing and gathering data on its physical features and biodiversity. Together with your fellow Global Navigators, you’ll observe firsthand the importance of habitat conservation and maintenance of ecosystem functions.
A Photo Journey: Students Studying Abroad in Mérida
Throughout the summer programs at CIEE Yucatán, there's plenty of free time to explore the city of Mérida with friends from the program. Here are some photos taken by students... keep reading
Make an Impact This Summer - Community Service & Leadership Programs for High School Students
If you’re dreaming about studying abroad this summer but want to give back in a meaningful way, you don’t have to choose one or the other. CIEE’s Leadership & Service... keep reading
Turn Summer Break into a Learning Experience for Your Teen
Thinking about how your teen will spend their summer? These precious few months off the busy school calendar are an opportunity to learn, have fun, travel, or enjoy time with... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling on program.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page.
- Please note: Due to the local cuisine and available food options, this program cannot accommodate a fully Kosher or Halal diet.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $5,150 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2027 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Karla Zarco
Center Director
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
Get Started
1
2
Connect with your Teachers or Parents
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 enrolling.
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