Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park that brings together natural environments, cultural traditions, and contemporary interpretations of Mexican heritage. Students engage with exhibits and performances highlighting Indigenous history, biodiversity, and regional customs, including a large-scale evening show that traces Mexico’s cultural and historical narratives.
Colorful and walkable, Valladolid is a historic colonial city that offers insight into daily life in the Yucatán beyond major tourist centers. Students explore the central plaza, local markets, and surrounding neighborhoods while observing the blending of Maya and Spanish influences in architecture, language, and foodways. The visit provides space to reflect on regional identity.
In San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, we will visit the National History Museum and National Park before wrapping up the program with a farewell dinner.
We will visit la Reserva Playa Tortuga, a research center for sea turtle and environmental conservation, and we visit the Marina Ballena National Park, a favored place to observe humpback whales and dolphins.
During our stay we will visit Rincon de la Vieja National Park, home to an active volcano, and Cañon de la Vieja, to explore its volcanic mud, hot springs, and wildlife. We also visit the UCR Liberia Campus.
We visit the Palo Verde National Park and Research Station. The park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Costa Rica.
In Monteverde, we visit the Cloud Forest Reserve, where we will hike through the reserve and over the hanging bridges, and we visit the nearby town of Santa Elena.
We will visit the American University of Cairo, and the US Embassy to learn about historical and contemporary economic and political conditions in Egypt and the current relationship between our two countries.
We visit Wadi Natrun in the desert, located in a natural valley of minerals and salts west of the Nile Delta, to explore the ancient Coptic Monasteries.
Alexandria is renowned for its rich history and ancient past, and its strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea. We will visit the catacombs and explore other sites.