Top Five Spring Break Destinations

Cancun, Mexico is currently the most popular spring break destination among North American college students. With its entire economy planned around party tourism and active marketing for the college student, spring breakers can’t go wrong planning a trip to Cancun. Beautiful beaches, round the clock partying, and good travel deals make Cancun the top destination for spring break. Tips to remember for the Cancun spring break: be sure your hotel is friendly to spring break antics, check to see if a shuttle service is offered to local clubs, and try to book at an all-inclusive resort where you won’t have to commute about town for your meals.


Since Fort Lauderdale, the original spring break destination from the 1930s to the 1980s, began passing local ordinances against spring break partying in the late 1980s; Panama City has emerged as the top Florida destination. Panama City also actively markets itself as a spring break destination and has cashed in where Fort Lauderdale left off. Panama City is also a spring breaker-friendly environment. With 27 miles of beaches, there’s room for everyone. Remember that Florida in March can cool down to the 40s at night so remember to have appropriate attire.


Next on our list is a bit more exotic for the average American college student, but is well known to European students: Ibiza. Ibiza is one of the Spanish Balearic islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The locale is famous for its legendary nightlife and is home to Privilege, the largest club in the world with a capacity for 10,000 revelers. Ibiza has all the partying that other spring break destinations are famous for but it also has bragging rights for introducing some of the most famous DJs in electronic music to the world. Plus, there are plenty of beautiful beaches to stretch out on and relax during the day to recuperate from the night before. Tip for Ibiza: know your limits – local papers regularly print a column dedicated to people who are deported for conducta antisocial (drunk and disorderly conduct).


South Padre Island has been a popular spring break choice for decades. Often attracting students from Texas, South Padre is another locale that markets itself as a spring break destination to college students. South Padre Island also has all the qualities spring breakers are looking for: parties, beaches, friendly laws, but is also known for the value it offers to cash-needy college students. Once there, take the local shuttles wherever you need to go – the local cops come down hard on reckless and impaired driving. Another option is to rent a boat and go on a fishing trip. South Padre Island is located in world-class fishing grounds.


Finally on our tour of top spring destinations we end with a mention of Jamaica. Montego Bay and Negril are both excellent choices for spring break. Negril combines its renowned laid-back charm with nightly beach parties, local cliff diving, sunset party cruises, beautiful natural surroundings, and 7 miles of white sandy beaches. If nightlife and clubs are more of a priority choose Montego Bay with its famous “Hip Strip” of clubs that feature non-stop partying. During the day take side trips to Dunn’s River Falls or a snorkeling trip to the reefs in Montego Bay.