CASEM is situated in the Monteverde area of Costa Rica about 180 km northwest of San Jose. Monteverde translates as “green mountain” ­ an apt name for this amazingly green and mountainous region. The highlight of the Monteverde area are the cloud forest reserves which contain a wide array of plants, more than 100 mammal species, 400 species of birds, as well as many species of amphibians and reptiles. Guided nature hikes are offered in most of the reserves.

While eco-tourism is growing in the Monteverde area, it is still primarily an agricultural region. The area was settled by U.S. Quakers in the 1950s who came to Costa Rica in response to the military draft. They brought cattle to the area and started a cheese-making industry as well as clearing land for farming. Today, the community is an integrated mix of Quaker and Costa Rican culture.

Santa Elena is the main town in the area (population of 3,000) and is a base of tourist activities, including art galleries, a butterfly garden, farm tours, a reptile and a frog museum, an orchid garden, canopy tours, and a cheese factory tour.