With spring break right around the corner, students from all over are getting ready for their trips down south. Working out for that beach-ready bod, hitting the tanning bed and plotting their strategies to cruise as many parties as they can in their seven days of freedom. Spring Break Cancun is a rite of passage for many, for years Cancun has been THE place to go in March. Great deals for cash-strapped students, exciting nightclubs packed to the gills and sun, sun, sun make it an attractive choice for students from around the world. So, what advice can we offer these exuberant travelers? Here’s the Top Eight Spring Break Tips for college kids looking to have a good time and a safe time.
1. Hotels- Choosing a spring break hotel is the first step in the planning of your escape. There are a few hotels that are known to be “party palaces” during Spring Break, chock full of young people rocking out on the beach and in the pool. A long time favourite of breakers is the Oasis Cancun, not the most luxurious of hotels but they offer a bargain place to stay, all inclusive (read: all the alcohol you can drink), wild entertainment and student bodies everywhere.
2. Nightclubs- Cancun discos and bars are the driving force of spring break, thousands of young people party all night long in “party central”. Most of the discos in Cancun are centrally located at km 8.5 in the hotel zone. The big nightclubs offer “all inclusive” entrance fees (called “barra libre” in Spanish), you’ll pay one price to drink and party the night away. Prices are usually around $40 or $50 USD for open bar and entrance, though they do vary from club to club. Don’t forget that while your drinks are included, tips are not! Tip your bartender or server on your first drink to get their attention, it often helps in getting service throughout the night. Never accept a drink from a stranger, keep your drinks in hand or in sight at all times, stick with your friends all night and try to be moderate in your drinking. (Yes, I know, that defeats the purpose of Spring Break, but you can have a great time without ending up passed out on the sidewalk). The hottest nightclubs in town include the incredible Coco Bongo, The City, Dady’O, Dady Rock, the Bulldog Cafe, Basic and Señor Frogs. One of the best ways to start your nightlife experience is with a party hopper tour like the ¨Sunset to Sunrise Package¨, one price for several clubs, a guide, VIP service and open bar included. Spring Break brings a lot of big time artists to perform in Cancun, ask around for the hot events, rumour is that Pink is performing this year at The City! Drink safe, drink water in between cocktails, tip your waiters and watch out for your friends and you can have a fabulous, safe nightlife experience in Cancun!
3. Food- This is not something breakers usually focus on, students are not looking for the fine dining experiences that Cancun has to offer. Most students will be staying at all inclusive resorts and can enjoy all the food they can eat at the buffets. Others will venture out of their resort and will be easily pleased by the McDonald’s, Domino’s and Subways found in the hotel zone. Students on a budget should also look for small “hole in the wall” places scattered around the party center, Taco Factory is an old fave, Choco y Tere’s and the hidden gem Xtabentun (hidden behind the Coral Negro flea market, it’s a great place to grab a torta and that last beer after hours).
4. Money- The currency of Mexico is pesos and while US dollars are widely accepted, you’ll be better off using the local money. Prices are usually listed in pesos, you won’t have to worry about trying to calculate exchange in your head and you’ll find better deals when using Mexican money. Don’t carry large amounts around with you, there are bank machines everywhere to withdraw what you’ll need for the day. Notify your bank that you will be travelling to Mexico and using your cards, sometimes they’ll put a “hold” on any transactions that are out of your usual pattern so letting them know before you go will save you hassles. Credit cards are widely accepted, though cash is usually easier at the clubs (and you’ll need some tip money on hand!) If you arrive with US dollars, you can exchange your money at the hotel, banks or “casas de cambio” (exchange houses).
5. Transportation- The bus rocks in Cancun! The hotel zone is just one long street so there is no way you’ll get lost. For 7.5 pesos (less than 60 cents US), you can get anywhere you need to go. Using exact change in pesos will make your life easier, no messing around with exchange and change on the often crowded buses. The busses are an entertaining and safe way to travel, you’ll definitely meet some characters! Taxis in the hotel zone can be very expensive, beware, if you are going to be taking a taxi negotiate the price clearly before getting in the taxi or have the bell man at the hotel help you out. The bus is definitely the better option, especially for those travelling on a budget.
6. Safety- Cancun is a very safe destination, tourism is the reason the city exists and everyone does all they can to keep the town safe. That said, you must use common sense like you would in any large metropolis. Always stay with a group, don’t wander off by yourself, especially at night. Don’t flash cash around. Do NOT attempt to buy or use illegal drugs, this will have serious consequences. Do not pick a fight in the bars, just walk away, no need to spend a night (or more) in jail on your fantastic vacation. Do not urinate in public, this may seem like a silly thing to say, but it’s probably the most common reason that breakers get into trouble. Do not use the services of prostitutes. Make copies of your identification and keep it in the hotel safe in case you lose your documents. Register with your home country’s office of foreign affairs so they know where you are in case of emergency. Do not swim in the ocean while drunk, there can be very serious undertows, the ocean is a powerful force and drinking and swimming do not mix. Do not attempt any foolishness on hotel room balconies, many accidents here occur when people try to jump from one balcony to another while drinking. Just bring your common sense, watch out for your friends and use your head!
7. Tours- While most students come here to whoop it up at the resort and party all night long, some might want to take advantage of the amazing adventures available in the area. Always purchase your tours from a reputable agency, beware of time share sales people offering free tours, you’ll need to go to a presentation at their hotels and may lose a whole day. We recommend booking tours in advance (we’re happy to help!) to avoid rip offs and ensure a spot on the tour. Zip line through the jungle, explore underground rivers and cenotes at Aktunchen, or just keep the party going on a “booze cruise” like the Caribbean Funday. For the experience of a liftetime, nothing beats swimming with dolphins on Isla Mujeres and you can combine your dolphin experience with a trip to the incredible Garrafon Park. There is so much to do in Cancun, why spend all your days at the resort, get out and have an adventure!
8. Health safety- Round the clock drinking is often the focus of a spring breakers trip, but there are ways to minimize the hangovers and damage caused by too much alcohol. Alternate your drinks with bottled water, with the heat and alcohol you will become dehydrated and run the risk of becoming seriously ill. Don’t forget to eat, the buffets are always open, be sure to throw some fruits and veggies into your diet with the pizza and nachos, the vitamins and minerals will help you keep your energy up and aid in hangover prevention. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! While getting a great tan is important, you must realize that the Cancun sun is fierce, you can get a burn in no time and that is no fun for anyone. Heat stroke is common, particularly when drinking in the sun, be sure to wear a hat and drink more bottled water while playing tequila volleyball! Do not ever drink and swim, even the strongest of swimmers are no match for the power of the sea. The best way to prevent hangovers is to eat before you drink, take extra vitamins B and C and keep up on the water intake. Have a piece of fruit before passing out for the night, you’ll thank yourself in the morning. Don’t drink tap water, it’s ok for washing and even brushing your teeth, but stick to bottled water for drinking. Some folks warn against ice in drinks, but it’s a myth, all ice in hotels and bars is made from purified water. If you get sick on the trip, the hotels will have in-house doctors and nurses. If you are seriously ill or injured, there are several fine hospitals in the area, but be prepared to pay for treatment, travel health insurance is not a bad idea.
And there you have it, our Top Eight Tips for Spring Break in Cancun. We don’t mean to sound like your mom, we just want you to have a great time while keeping safe. You can let it all hang out, what happens in Cancun stays in Cancun (unless you get caught on “Girls Gone Wild” cameras) but keep your common sense with you at all times, take care of yourself and your friends and treat the locals and your fellow tourists with respect. Have a blast kids!
