Spanish Language & Service in Mérida
School Trip Abroad with CIEE
Make the capital of the Yucatán your classroom as you dive headfirst into one of Mexico’s most vibrant, historic cities.
In Mérida, every conversation sharpens your Spanish, every meal deepens your cultural discovery, and every act of service leaves a mark on both the community and on you. Over eight days, you and your students will explore ancient ruins, prepare a traditional Yucatecan meal, and volunteer at a local nonprofit. Immerse yourself in everyday life through guided language missions, like buying snacks from a local vendor and learning slang from local teens.
After your time in Mérida, you and your students will return home with an appreciation for Mexican and Yucatecan culture and a deeper understanding of how culture shapes language.
The Destination
Welcome to Mérida, your doorway to Yucatán history and culture, Mayan treasures, and centuries of tradition.
Built atop the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, Mérida is Yucatán’s cultural capital. Explore local parks teeming with tropical birds or take a short ride to nearby cenotes—cool, turquoise sinkholes perfect for an afternoon swim in crystal-clear water.
Taste Mayan tradition with aguas frescas and marquesitas. Here, you’ll experience authentic Mexican culture while staying close to iconic sights like the Chichén Itzá pyramids, white-sand beaches, and ecological nature reserves.
Cultural Awareness
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter what program you choose to design with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout the program to provide advice, resources, and support.
Sample Itinerary
Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time to explore, too.
Your day might include:
- Morning instruction from expert CIEE educators
- Afternoon excursions that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences
- Immersive activities that bring local culture to life
Download this printable itinerary to share with your community, complete with learning outcomes, daily activities, and program highlights.
Activities & Excursions
Activity Spotlight
At CIEE, we thoughtfully plan excursions to connect classroom instruction with local experiences. Our local staff cultivates relationships within their communities, giving you and your students access to unique sites and activities made possible through our trusted local partnerships.
This program includes one-of-a-kind experiences like:
- Community service at a local nonprofit
- Visiting the ruins of Chichén Itzá, including the iconic Temple of Kukulkán
- Swimming in the crystalline waters of Cenote Yodzonot
Please note activities are examples and subject to change. As we plan your program, we will work with you to finalize a list of place-based, immersive experiences that are the right match for your group and academic goals.
What's Included
Every program is designed in close collaboration with the CIEE High School Custom team and our full-time local staff in Mérida, ensuring the learning outcomes and experiences align with your specific academic goals. Together, we can tailor our standard itinerary for this program as much or as little as you want!
Each Ready to Run high school program includes the following for students and chaperones:
- Interactive classes
- Cultural activities
- Housing, either a carefully-screened homestay or hotel
- All meals during the program
- In-country transportation and logistics
Beyond these inclusions, every CIEE Ready to Run school trip provides additional support including on-site orientations, 24/7 emergency support, comprehensive insurance coverage, and marketing resources to help you promote your program to your students.
Health, Safety, and Security
With 8 decades of experience, CIEE is a global leader in health and safety. Each of our sites undergoes regular assessments aligned with rigorous international risk management standards and data, ensuring the successful facilitation of every program. You can focus on your students and their experience, knowing CIEE’s dedicated Health, Safety, and Security team has your back. Read more about our commitment to student safety here.
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Interested in learning more?
Email the Custom Team at hscustom@ciee.org, submit an interest form, or talk to your Global Education Advisor to learn more about this program and its benefits for your students.