
An estimated 1.5 million college students travel annually both nationally and internationally for spring break.
Bright neon swimsuits dot store landscapes like sugarplums. Swarms of startlingly pale people raid the sunless tanning aisle at Walmart. All signs point to the coming of that sunny slice of respite called Spring Break! The formerly pale and now orange masses will soon converge on beaches across the U.S. and you want to be there too. But the question is, can you survive? Are you ready to avoid sunburn, NOT pay crazy amounts of money for a crappy hotel and dodge dangerous sea creatures? This helpful infographic from HCC offers pro tips for surviving spring break like a boss. But before you can survive it, you have to plan it. Use these tools to plot your strategy.
While rest and relaxation should certainly be the focus of your getaway, there are other considerations to mull over before you pick a spot. For example, when you’re thinking about paradise, disease and illness may not be a natural consideration. But as you prepare for your trip it’s a good idea to think about the hazards that may be lurking behind that beachy façade. Visit government tourism sites to look at region-specific health information before you take off. Health risks and other health and wellness stats may help you make a decision. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling internationally for spring break and may prompt you to consider temporary health insurance for added travel security.
Another consideration is what to do. Are you going with a group that enjoys water sports? Maybe your spring break entourage is more about sleeping and reading on the beach. Or perhaps you want a spot that offers great pubs and other local hot spots to mingle with the natives. Travel blogs are a great place to look as you think about what each destination has to offer the unique tastes of your crew.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) makes it easy to keep your spring break travels safe. A free service provided by the U.S. government, STEP offers safety updates for international travels. You simply enter the information of your trip and then receive updates on travel warnings and other travel alerts. For domestic spring break safety, check out state websites for any travel or weather alerts that may affect your trip.
Finally, make sure you have a well-planned travel budget prepared before you leave. Then, stick to it! You might have lots of options for fun, but choose wisely so that you can have fun AND stay on budget.