Whether your idea of spring break is a relaxing holiday in the sun or a week of day-drinking with bikini-clad college students, the 2,000-year-old vacation tradition poses its unique set of travel challenges for college students and adults traveling to popular coastal destinations.
Spring break stressors which can include crowds, noise, and safety concerns can be minimized by planning ahead and taking a few simple precautions. If you’re heading to a popular spring break destination this year, scroll through the list below for tips to help you enjoy the most stress-free vacation possible.
Book Early.
And we’re not just talking about airfare. This rule applies to every aspect of your trip: If you’re heading to a popular destination like Aruba, Cancun, Daytona Beach or Puerto Vallarta, it’s going to be crowded. Be sure to book your hotel, transit meals, and activities like surfing classes and boat trips early to guarantee your spot. Everything will fill up quickly, so make an itinerary before you leave and try to lock in your plans as much as possible to avoid setbacks.
Certain cities and hotels will be overrun with college students during spring break, so choose your destination and lodgings wisely. Hard-core spring breakers heading to Cancun would do well to check out, while Sanibel Island is a good choice for a more low-key, relaxing trip. The same goes for your hotel: If you’re looking for peace and quiet, steer clear of beachfront mega-hotels. Check the reviews and photos to make sure you don’t wind up with any surprises when you get there. Make sure you confirm your reservation by calling the hotel directly. Some hotels include breakfast and other amenities that can help you save money, while others charge resort fees, so make sure you look at the fine details before booking.
Take Extra Safety Precautions.
Unfortunately, countless spring break horror stories make headlines every year. Be sure to stay safe, particularly in destinations with higher rates of crime towards tourists. Following basic safety measures — leaving valuables at home and refraining from wearing flashy clothing and jewelry, and making sure a family member or friend has a copy of your itinerary — can go a long way in ensuring that you don’t run into trouble. It’s always safe to be on the buddy system when you’re out and exploring the city. It’s always good to have company and you will be safer when you don’t wander by yourself.
Pack Wisely.
Sunscreen, flip-flops and beach towels can easily cost twice as much as they usually would when you buy them at a tropical tourist destination. When it comes to spring, it’s better to risk overpacking than to blow through your vacation budget buying overpriced toiletries and beachwear. Make sure you pack an extra towel and sandals, especially sandals because many people can catch a fungus infection in the shower and in other places when walking barefoot. Also pack some medicine, including Tylenol just in case you have a headache, Pepto Bismol just in case you have problems with the food, and a first-aid kit just in case.
While there’s nothing wrong with indulging a little while you’re on vacation, be careful about how much and where you drink and eat. If you have children, it might not be the wisest choice to drink, but if you are alone, make sure you don’t leave your drink unattended. Also, just because alcohol is served cold, doesn’t mean that it’s keeping you hydrated. Alcohol can cause you to be dehydrated very quickly, so make sure you drink plenty of water. Be careful about drinking in hot tubs, which can also heighten the effects of alcohol. As far as food, there are some foods that are more prone to making you sick. Milk products, uncooked meats, and even dirty vegetables can cause you to be sick, so make sure you’re eating at places that have good reviews and the food looks freshly made. Also, don’t drink the water. Unfiltered water can cause you to get very sick, so make sure you stick to bottled water and ask for filtered or fizzy water just to be on the safe side.
Get Off The Beaten Path.
Even if you chose Cancun for your vacation so that you’d be in the middle of the action, take an afternoon or a day to get away from it all and unwind in nature by heading on a hike outside the city or boat tour of a neighboring area. Just make sure you stay close to your hotel and ask for recommendations from the concierge. They know where the local dangerous spot zones exist, so make sure you don’t wander off too far or too late. If you’re going to explore the city, do it during the day and preferably with a guided tour. It’s cost-effective in the long run.
Make sure to stay safe with everything that goes on during spring break this month. But most importantly, make sure to have a great time!