Monteverde, Costa Rica
Located in northwestern 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 top above Monteverde and down into the Peñas Blancas Valley. As a result of its unique history and geography, Monteverde is a stunning home to exotic flora, fauna, and wildlife and sustainability projects including agriculture, energy production, water conservation, forest management and biodiversity conservation.
Accommodations
Housing
Campus Accommodations
Students stay in the “bungalows” of the CIEE Global Institute campus in shared rooms with en suite bathrooms. Three simple, but hardy meals are served in the dining hall. The campus includes indoor and outdoor common areas for recreation and study and allows exclusive access to forest trails and gardens.
Homestay
Open Campus students have the opportunity to participate in an optional weekend homestay each block.
Meals
All students receive three meals per day.
Excursions
Students in Monteverde can...
- Natural destinations, such as national parks or reserves to experience Costa Rica’s biodiversity and natural beauty
- Rise with the sun for birding tours or farm chores and experience biodiversity after the sun goes down with a guided hike in the forest
- Indoor and outdoor areas with access to forest trails and gardens for recreation, self-exploration and co-curricular activities
- Optional weekend at a homestay where students can live with a local family in Monteverde and immerse themselves in the Costa Rican culture.