The Best And Worst Spring Break Destinations In The U.S.

The Best and Worst Spring Break Destinations in the U.S.

Spring breakers, now is the time to start planning your trip and researching travel deals. The first thing that you need to consider is the company you are traveling with. Will you be arriving solo, with your family, friends or with your significant other? This will play a huge role in the destination that you choose.

Best: Cancun, Mexico

Known as one of the most exciting spring break destinations, Cancun is for anyone looking to vacation in a tropical paradise. Its crystal waters, warm sand, and incredible hotels will astonish you. Spring breakers and tourists alike love to visit for the vast amount of wildlife, incredible snorkeling and diving sites, and luxurious resorts. Tourists also enjoy visiting the Chichen Itza, the El Rey ruins, and Playa Delfines.

See: The Hottest Places You Need to Check Out in Mexico 2017

 

Best: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Take your pick from the 10 different beaches in Punta Cana. Famous for its 62 miles of breezy oceanfront and clear, warm, turquoise water, this is the perfect spring break destination. Punta Cana is also home to some of the most beautiful tropical golf courses in the world. While you are there, go zip-lining and check out the lagoons of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park.

Best: Panama City Beach, Florida

Yes, Panama City is one of the most exciting spring break destinations in America, but contrary to what many people believe, it is not just a destination for college kids. Panama City Beach is also a great relaxation destination, perfect for adults looking for a much-needed getaway. Soak up the sun on their white sand beaches, hit the waves in their clear water, and take out a boat for some incredible fishing opportunities.

Best: Anguilla

Anguilla is the perfect spring break destination for adults looking to escape the college crowds. Its main island is approximately 16 miles long. Overall, it consists of 7 miles of beaches that are sure to keep you at a distance from the crazy spring break chaos. Spend the day dolphin and whale watching or go on a glass-bottom boat tour. At night, grab a drink at Elvis's Beach Bar in the village of Sandy Ground or get dressed up and enjoy a formal night eating sushi and drinking cocktails at Viceroy's Sunset Lounge.

Best: Haleiwa, Hawaii

Haleiwa is a North Shore town in Oahu. It's the prefect spring break getaway for families. Take your family gliding if you're a fan of flying or turn your spring break into a surfing retreat. Explore Oahu's famous surfing beaches and see Hawaiian green sea turtles up close. Take a break from surfing and go snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming in waterfalls. Visit the Dole Plantation and bring the kids for the fun Pineapple Express train ride.

Worst: Key West, Florida

Key West is one of America's best destinations for winter travel. But Spring Break tends to fill the region with wild college kids, who want to take advantage of the loosely enforced open container laws. Some of the popular active adventures include snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, primitive camping, and flyboarding. The warm temperatures and thrilling activities also come with a huge price tag, mostly because of hotel rates. A 6-night stay can easily pass $700. Add plane tickets, as well as food and lots of drinks, and you're looking at a vacation worth about $1,800.

Worst: Breckenridge, Colorado

Spring Break is a very popular time to go because this is one of the best resorts for spring skiing. Colorado itself is getting more visitors these days, partly due to the legalization of recreational marijuana. Breckenridge is not the most famous slope in the state, but it is popular among avid skiers. Its 150 runs and the highest chairlift in the country are just part of the long list of attractions until the end of April. Many people go there for the nightlife, clubs, and fine dining.  It's also quite pricey – getting a "cheap" hotel will cost around $200 per night. Your whole trip can easily be around $1,500.

Worst: Disneyland

Unless you have hundreds of dollars to waste, plan a trip there a year in advance for any time but spring break (or any other holiday when the kids are off from school). Consider a smaller but cheaper and less crowded theme park that also has roller coasters and waterslides. Check out the crowd charts before you start planning a trip. Non-peak times at resort hotels are usually around 20 percent cheaper. If you absolutely must go during spring break, there are a few ways you can enjoy yourself and save money at the same time.

Worst: Harbor Island, Bahamas

This is a beautiful destination that is known for its pink sand beaches. But many other tropical islands have gorgeous beaches and offer the same water adventures for a lot less money. The high-end location is accessible directly from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Nassau in the Bahamas, which means you'll likely be paying a bit more in airfare. Also, a 3-star hotel in the area costs an average of $550 per night. Much better alternatives are Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Bocas del Toro in Panama, and even Cuba.

Worst: Puerto Rico

This is a real heaven for party people who want to go to a warm location that is "outside" U.S., but where everybody speaks English and you don't need a passport. But the best time to visit is from mid-April to June, right after the busy winter season and just before the rainy summer. While you may find good discounts around spring break time, the island is still overpriced this time of year and the overwhelming crowds can be a deal-breaker. Also, forget about Condado Beach in San Juan; it's one of the world's most dangerous places for swimming