Home
Where To Go
Make Travel Affordable
Risks & Recommendtions
Before You Go
1.5 million

An estimated 1.5 million college students travel annually both nationally and internationally for spring break.

70%

7 out of top 10 hot spots for spring break are international locales including Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica. View all 10 locations here.

Gas Buddy gas price watch Map Quest gas prices

Use the tools above to save on gas on your road trip this spring break.

Concierge

If you are staying at a hotel check the front desk of your hotel for brochures and flyers from local businesses to find coupons and special offers.

Bump flight to save money

Be willing to consider being bumped to save money on your flight.

Privacy Settings

Adjust your privacy settings and use your best judgment when checking in on Facebook and Foursquare. Be cautious about revealing personal information and location through status updates or tweets with Twitter trends such as #SpringBreak and #SB2013.

Limit contacts United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team

Limit the number of people who can contact you.

Limit personal informtion United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team

Limit the amount of personal info you post and only allow friends to see it.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish stings: if you get a jellyfish sting, don't rub it. That'll only make it worse. Wash the wound with rubbing alcohol. Put some meat tenderizer on it, or go to a walk-in clinic.

rip tide

Watch out for rip currents. They're narrow sections of current too strong to swim against and will take you quickly offshore. Swim parallel to shore until you are out of the rip current, then swim toward the beach. Or drown.

NOAA national oceanic and atmospheric administration

Where there’s thunder, there’s lightning. Get out of the water.

Sunburn

Don’t get burned. Look for the words “broad spectrum” and “water-resistant” or “waterproof” on the sunscreen you buy. Apply liberally 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours.

Drink Lots of water

Keep your cool. To avoid sunstroke, wear loose, light-colored clothes. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid alcohol. Go easy on the exercise/physical activity.

Alcohol.png

Watch your drinks and your person and personal belongings. In some areas, tourists are targeted because they’re unfamiliar with the area.

Groups

Travel in groups. Don't let your friends wander off with strangers. Just because it's spring break doesn't mean the predators take the week off.

Alone

Never go anywhere alone. Have a code word to use with friends in case you feel uncomfortable in a situation. Check in regularly with one another.

Alone

Avoid theft. Leave expensive electronics and bling at home. Keep an eye on your purse/backpack/beach bag at all times. Book a room in a hotel that has a safe. Place values in the safe when you leave your room.

Vaccines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Update vaccines before you go on vacation in a foreign country before you go on vacation.

temporary health insurance

Make sure your insurance is up to date, and purchase temporary health insurance for travel out of the country.

Prescription

Keep any medications in their original containers to prevent difficulty in Customs.

Prescription

Get a copy of all of your prescriptions from your physicians in case you lose your medications or customs questions the bottles’ contents.

Danger

Check the State Department for travel warnings before selection your destination. Some popular spring break destinations may be considered high risk for travel.

weather forecast

Check the local weather forecast before you go and while there to pack appropriately.

Natural Disaster

Find out what natural disasters are likely in that area. Know how to respond.

Avoid theft

Keep a copy of your passport separate from your passport in the event of it being lost or stolen.

Passport

Fill out the emergency contact information in your passport.

Smart Traveler

Before leaving the country, enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). The government will be better able to assist you if you lose your passport.

World Map

Locate the nearest U.S. Consular office in your destination country, which assists Americans with legal, medical or financial difficulties when they’re outside the United States.

Where To Go

Make Travel Affordable

Risks & Recommendations

Water Dangers
Predators
Health & Wellness

Before You Go

Surviving 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.

Stay Healthy

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.

Stay Busy (or Don’t)

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.

Stay Safe

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.

Stay on Budget

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.