12 Best Study Abroad Programs in Mexico

Does it feel like you’re scouring the world map for a study abroad destination that combines nature and culture, rich history and a welcoming environment? You don’t have to travel quite as far as you might imagine. The best study abroad programs in Mexico mean breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins, affordable living, and local friendships are all within reach.

Mexico has some of the best study abroad programs in the world!

While some study abroad programs in Mexico require you to come in with a background in Spanish, others offer courses taught in English. No matter which route you choose, studying abroad in Mexico is an ideal way to build your language skills.

You can earn credits for a range of majors while you’re at it—Mexico is a great spot to study just about anything. Look to programs in the Yucatán for sometimes hard-to-find natural sciences and other STEM courses abroad (it’s where you’ll find the Chicxulub crater, after all), Oaxaca for a culturally rich landscape (and a reputation as Mexico’s gastronomic capital), and Mexico City, Guanajuato, and more for top-ranked universities ready to enhance your education.

That’s right: You’ve found your dream study abroad destination. Now it’s time to find a great study abroad program to get yourself there.

What makes these programs the best?

When you’re comparing study abroad programs in Mexico, you’ll want to consider what each program offers in terms of academics, excursions beyond the classroom, and ways to learn about (and from) the culture of your temporary home. Look for study abroad programs with positive reviews, and check with your study abroad advisor about provider reputation (and whether you can get credit at your home school through that program you’re eyeing).

Ultimately, choosing the right study abroad program for you comes down to knowing what you’re looking to get out of your experience abroad. We rounded up programs for different majors to study abroad in Mexico so you can find the perfect fit while making the most of your time through language and cultural immersion.

We’ve got something for whenever you want to study abroad, wherever you want to study abroad. Whether you’re dreaming of Mérida or Oaxaca, Mexico City or Cuernavaca, the program offerings in Mexico make it easy to get ahead in your studies.

12 best study abroad programs in Mexico

With so many options, you’re sure to find your dream program.

From semesters studying Spanish to summers earning credits in STEM, these study abroad programs in Mexico will help you figure out your own future while you learn more about the rich history and culture you’ll find around every corner:

1. IFSA Mérida Universities Program

• Why? Take your Spanish skills to the next level and take courses in a range of subjects alongside local students at top-notch universities, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY) and Universidad Modelo. You’ll get to call Mérida—a safe and modern (and sunny!) city with roots in ancient Mayan culture—home for a semester. From excursions to archeological and ecological sites to the unparalleled cultural and language immersion you get by living with a host family, this program has it all.
• Where? Mérida
• Read IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad reviews

2. CIEE Open Campus Block in Yucatán, Mexico

• Why? Want to combine studying abroad in Mexico with another destination or two? This customizable program lets you put together one, two, or three six-week blocks at any CIEE Open Campus Block location, so you can experience and compare Mérida and cities like Buenos Aires, Madrid, Kyoto, Sydney, and more. You also can’t go wrong by opting to spend your entire time in Mérida, where you’ll complement classes taught in English with visits to UNESCO sites, historic towns, and biodiverse nature reserves.
• Where? Mérida
• Read CIEE reviews

3. SIT Mexico: Migration, Borders & Transnational Communities

• Why? If you’re interested in immigration policies and transnational communities, this is the program for you. You’ll gain experience in human rights and social movements as you witness firsthand the human side of undocumented migration and border enforcement. Based in Oaxaca, the program also includes visits to Tucson, Arizona and Chiapas on Mexico’s border with Guatemala.
• Where? Oaxaca
• Read SIT Study Abroad reviews

4. Physical Therapy Shadowing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

• Why? Culture and language immersion, adventurous excursions, and the chance to shadow licensed physical therapy professionals—how’s that for a great way to kick off your career in physical therapy? This program offers 40 or 60 hours of clinical observation in various physical therapy specialties, expanding your knowledge of your future profession as you witness PT professionals work with patients abroad. You’ll get to practice Spanish in a professional health setting and have fun ziplining, visiting beaches and volcanoes, and more in your free time.
• Where? Puerto Vallarta
• Read Toucan Abroad reviews

5. Social Work in a Latin American Context

• Why? It’s not always easy for social work students to find study abroad programs that work with their major. But if you want to study abroad in Mexico, you’re in luck. This program focuses on experiential learning and social and economic justice to give you the tools to become a cross-culturally competent, globally aware social worker. Learn directly from practitioners and community leaders, gain insight into working with diverse populations, and boost your Spanish-language abilities through a program that meets Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation standards.
• Where? Cuernavaca
• Read Center for Global Education & Experience, Augsburg University reviews

6. Ancestral Flavors: A Oaxacan Culinary Journey

• Why? Calling all foodies! Oaxaca—Mexico’s vibrant culinary hub—makes for an ideal backdrop to cooking classes and cross-cultural learning. This study abroad program for high schoolers gives you a home away from home with a host family as you get your first taste of study abroad. You’ll visit indigenous communities to learn about ancestral cooking techniques, you’ll meet with chefs, restaurant owners, and market vendors, and you’ll up your Spanish game during the ultimate summer break.
• Where? Oaxaca
• Read Arcos Journeys Abroad reviews

7. Liberal Arts + Spanish & Culture in Guanajuato

• Why? See for yourself why upwards of 21,000 students flock to Guanajuato each year when you spend a semester studying in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll live like a local thanks to your homestay placement, and you’ll get to experience even more of Mexico with excursions to Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, and rural and indigenous communities. When you’re not taking classes at the prestigious University of Guanajuato, make some time to sample street tacos and explore the city’s alleys and underground tunnels.
• Where? Guanajuato
• Read Culture & Language Abroad reviews

8. Study in Mexico with World Endeavors

• Why? Studying abroad is the way to go if you’re looking for a cost-effective (and fun!) way to hone your language abilities. And if you’re studying abroad in Mexico? Yeah, you’ll watch your Spanish skills skyrocket as you interact on a daily basis with your host family, locals, and teachers. Study language and culture in small classes as Universidad Internacional, which specializes in language instruction, and reap the benefits of personalized instruction and immersion in the local community.
• Where? Cuernavaca
• Read World Endeavors reviews

9. IBERO Summer School, Mexico City

• Why? You’re in for a summer of intercultural learning when you study abroad in Mexico through Universidad Iberoamericana’s summer school. You’ll study alongside both Mexican and international students, so you’ll have a great opportunity to make friends while learning about a topic that interests you. You can choose from subjects like ceramics, conflict, marketing, and contemporary Mexico, gaining a broad understanding of your subject area before going deeper into the Mexican and Latin American contexts.
• Where? Mexico City
• Learn more about Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City

10. Global Health in Puerto Escondido, Mexico (2 Week Intensive)

• Why? You’ll set yourself up for a frontline exploration of global health with this experience in Puerto Escondido. The program offers an opportunity to develop your Spanish-language medical vocabulary and Spanish conversational skills as you learn from local health professionals and live with a local family (and, yes, see what “coastal life” is like at local beaches!). With a focus on community-based care and access to care for low-income populations, this program also gives you insight into how medical care relates to socioeconomic status.
• Where? Puerto Escondido
• Read Child Family Health International reviews

11. Marine Biology in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico

• Why? Ever dreamed of studying marine biology? You don’t have to be majoring in the subject to dive right in abroad. This program, designed for non-majors, lets you learn about aquatic habitats and participate in scientific surveys at the Sea of Cortez. (Fun fact: As much as 300 feet of what was once covered by sea is exposed here at low tide.) Check out the birds and sea lions, snorkel or scuba dive, and explore Puerto Peñasco on group outings for an experience worthy of your summer break.
• Where? Puerto Peñasco
• Read Mesa Community College reviews

12. CIEE Summer STEM + Society in Yucatán, Mexico

• Why? A summer studying in Mérida, home to many universities and national research facilities, is sure to make your resume stand out. You can choose from one or two six-week blocks at any of CIEE’s Open Campus Block locations, then spend your time on the Yucatán Peninsula delving into topics like agricultural ethics, Mayan culture, intercultural communication, and of course, Spanish. Learning takes place outside the classroom too thanks to co-curricular excursions—visits to the Scientific and Technology Park of Yucatán, Chichén Itzá, and more make your time studying abroad in Mexico a surefire highlight of your college career.
• Where? Mérida
• Read CIEE reviews

Compare these programs side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad

Find out firsthand why Mexico is North America’s premier study abroad destination!

Are you ready for your study abroad adventure?

Mountains, beaches, valleys, and volcanoes are just the start. Mexico is the place to go to immerse yourself in a culture and language, earn credits toward your degree back home, and learn from visits to ruins, culinary hotspots, and natural wonders. No matter your major and academic interests, there’s a program in Mexico set to deliver the transformative benefits of studying abroad.