Locations
- Caye Caulker
- San Ignacio
- La Fortuna
- Monteverde
- Manuel Antonio
Courses Offered
- Biology | SBI4U
Program Fee
Refunds and Cancellation
We've made it easier to plan your education while minimizing your financial risks.
9:1 Student to Staff Ratio
Open
Why Take this Program?
Make rainforests, reefs, waterfalls and beaches your classroom as you travel across Costa Rica's diverse landscape and study Biology. Snorkelling along the Gold Coast, zip-lining through rainforests, trekking through jungles, hiking volcanoes, and whitewater rafting on the Ticos River makes this program an outdoor adventure infused with scientific exploration and learning.








What People Are Saying


I was really nervous to leave my home for such a long time, but my anxiety quickly dissipated; within hours, it felt like I was with family. The teachers were always there for me no matter the time or reason. The activities we participated in together daily helped enrich and enhance our biology lessons, which were always engaging. Never would I have thought that the beach would make such an amazing classroom!
Bridget Patterson
Student, Backpackers: Central America, 2019
Program Itinerary
Explore this program's detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!



Program Preparation
Online Foundation Work
We start this program with one week of Online Live sessions. You will meet virtually with your teachers and classmates daily to read and discuss assigned readings and begin research projects. The Foundation Work period gives you a chance to review major assignments and get to know your crew so that you can hit the ground running when you land in your first location.
Departure
Day 1: All of our programs begin at our study-abroad departure hub, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Five hours before departure, a short meeting is held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Terminal 3, to distribute course packs, T-shirts and MEI Journals, and to clarify travel procedures. All students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Students making alternate arrangements must contact MEI before March 31.






Caye Caulker, Belize
Days 2–7: Our journey begins in Caye Caulker. Students arrive on this tranquil island ready for adventure. A sandy pathway through the centre of town leads to a harbour flanked with boats, waiting to take students out to one of the most extensive coral reefs in the world. Caye Caulker offers students the chance to study unmatched aquatic habitats, including a vast range of tropical fish, stingrays and sharks. It is an ideal locale for the class to explore theories on evolution and biochemical adaptations.
San Ignacio, Belize
Days 7-12: From the town of San Ignacio, options abound for exploring Belize’s scenic inland wonders, from the Mayan ruins to the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves. Students engage with archeologists as they discuss the cultural importance the caves hold for locals, past and present. Here, students have the time to debate complex topics such as human genetics.
Departure for Costa Rica from Belize Airport






La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Days 12–17: From the San José International Airport we travel by private coach to Arenal volcano in La Fortuna. We will reside at the base of this volcano where students enjoy daily adventures such as zip-lining through tree canopies, hiking the mist forest, and testing out the natural hot springs. We balance activities with studies of the metabolic processes and how it affects environmental issues. Tropical storms and impressive lightning shows often enhance evening masterclasses while students engage in lessons.
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Days 17-21: In Monteverde, which means “green mountain,” students reside in an ecolodge built in a cloud forest. Here, we have access to a state-of-the-art, on-site lab to test samples collected from the surrounding environment. In this remote location, students connect with the local ecology and participate in research, service work, and night hikes. These activities are integrated into the coursework so that students can find a balance while completing their research-based assignments.






Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Days 21-26: Our destination takes you to the rainforests of Manuel Antonio’s spectacular National Park. This location offers students a good look at one of Costa Rica’s 12 ecosystems famous for its wildlife sightings. The park is made up of primary forest, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and coastal habitats. There are over 100 types of mammals and nearly 200 varieties of birds which makes it an ideal location to study how environmental factors can affect homeostasis. In addition, our morning workouts introduce students to the benefits of physical activities such as yoga, beach Frisbee, and body surfing. This is an ideal location to delve into your academic studies and utilize your teachers’ guidance to develop major assignments. We’ll experience one last dinner watching a picture-perfect sunset while listening to Latin music lingering in the air.
Departure from San José International Airport (Day 26)
Online Final Evaluation Week
During this week, you will have time for one-on-one presentations and discussions using Zoom. This week will give you time to complete additional research and pull together the work and insights you gained from your travel experiences. You will also complete culminating assignments and an online, interactive examination. MEI students and teachers have found this evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic and thorough method to demonstrate what you have learned and experienced during the summer.



Program Itinerary
Explore this program's detailed itinerary for a sense of the journey ahead!



Program Preparation
Online Foundation Work
We start this program with one week of Online Live sessions. You will meet virtually with your teachers and classmates daily to read and discuss assigned readings and begin research projects. The Foundation Work period gives you a chance to review major assignments and get to know your crew so that you can hit the ground running when you land in your first location.



Departure
Day 1: All of our programs begin at our study-abroad departure hub, Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Five hours before departure, a short meeting is held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Terminal 3, to distribute course packs, T-shirts and MEI Journals, and to clarify travel procedures. All students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Students making alternate arrangements must contact MEI before March 31.



Caye Caulker, Belize
Days 2–7: Our journey begins in Caye Caulker. Students arrive on this tranquil island ready for adventure. A sandy pathway through the centre of town leads to a harbour flanked with boats, waiting to take students out to one of the most extensive coral reefs in the world. Caye Caulker offers students the chance to study unmatched aquatic habitats, including a vast range of tropical fish, stingrays and sharks. It is an ideal locale for the class to explore theories on evolution and biochemical adaptations.



San Ignacio, Belize
Days 7-12: From the town of San Ignacio, options abound for exploring Belize’s scenic inland wonders, from the Mayan ruins to the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves. Students engage with archeologists as they discuss the cultural importance the caves hold for locals, past and present. Here, students have the time to debate complex topics such as human genetics.
Departure for Costa Rica from Belize Airport



La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Days 12–17: From the San José International Airport we travel by private coach to Arenal volcano in La Fortuna. We will reside at the base of this volcano where students enjoy daily adventures such as zip-lining through tree canopies, hiking the mist forest, and testing out the natural hot springs. We balance activities with studies of the metabolic processes and how it affects environmental issues. Tropical storms and impressive lightning shows often enhance evening masterclasses while students engage in lessons.



Monteverde, Costa Rica
Days 17-21: In Monteverde, which means “green mountain,” students reside in an ecolodge built in a cloud forest. Here, we have access to a state-of-the-art, on-site lab to test samples collected from the surrounding environment. In this remote location, students connect with the local ecology and participate in research, service work, and night hikes. These activities are integrated into the coursework so that students can find a balance while completing their research-based assignments.



Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Days 21-26: Our destination takes you to the rainforests of Manuel Antonio’s spectacular National Park. This location offers students a good look at one of Costa Rica’s 12 ecosystems famous for its wildlife sightings. The park is made up of primary forest, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and coastal habitats. There are over 100 types of mammals and nearly 200 varieties of birds which makes it an ideal location to study how environmental factors can affect homeostasis. In addition, our morning workouts introduce students to the benefits of physical activities such as yoga, beach Frisbee, and body surfing. This is an ideal location to delve into your academic studies and utilize your teachers’ guidance to develop major assignments. We’ll experience one last dinner watching a picture-perfect sunset while listening to Latin music lingering in the air.
Departure from San José International Airport (Day 26)



Online Final Evaluation Week
During this week, you will have time for one-on-one presentations and discussions using Zoom. This week will give you time to complete additional research and pull together the work and insights you gained from your travel experiences. You will also complete culminating assignments and an online, interactive examination. MEI students and teachers have found this evaluation style enjoyable and the most authentic and thorough method to demonstrate what you have learned and experienced during the summer.
Caye Caulker
San Ignacio
La Fortuna
Monteverde
Manuel Antonio
Program Photos
What's Included
Fee Breakdown
Program Costs
- Ministry-approved credit(s) upon successful completion of the course(s)
- Custom course pack
- Student Login
- MEI journal
- MEI T-Shirt
- Digital yearbook
Travel Costs
- Hotels and accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Entrance fees to all course-specific sites
- Return airfare from Toronto's Pearson International Airport
- Approximate airline departure taxes, surcharges and fees
- Airfare between countries
- Transportation between hotel locations via private coach
- Transportation for all listed program excursions
Program Fee Does Not Include
- Lunches
- Insurances
- Gratuities
- Local Transportation
- Course texts
- Medical Insurance and Cancellation Protection†
- Non-refundable $95 Registration Fee
† All students travelling with MEI Academy are required to purchase Medical Insurance.
**Program cost does not include non-refundable $95 registration fee or any airline taxes or fees. Please note the possibility of increases in airfares and land costs prior to departure. Any increase must be borne by the individual participant.