Kiwi is here to show you how to make the most of this spring break with this essential guide, including budget planning tips, safety advice, and the places we love the most for this time of year. No matter your vibe, we’ve got you covered.
How to Plan the Ultimate Spring Break
Let me be real with you from the start; traveling during Spring Break is going to be absolute chaos. There’s no way around it. But a solid plan can make all the difference.
Start by figuring out your dates. Now’s the time to sweet-talk your way into those extra days off before someone else on your team gets in there. If you can, try to avoid weekends at all costs since the prices will be slightly higher than the midweek days. And for those taking the kiddos with them, time it so they have a few days to recover from all the traveling.
The most exciting part will be choosing your destination. Save the popular places for another trip; by popular, I mean the hard hitters like Cancun. Try branching out and doing something different. Think of locations that won’t be on the average person’s radar. If you do end up going where the crowds go, expect to pay a ‘Spring Break’ premium.
Try not to be too fussy with your accommodation either. Accept that availability will be scarce unless you’re willing to fork out hundreds of Dollars. That doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself, though; try to stay outside city centers or switch up the comfort level. Camping is a great way of doing this; all you need is the supplies and to pay the park fees, and you’re all set.
Safety Tips for Spring Break
Spring Break is all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. One minute, you’re wolfing down vodka-heavy cocktails masked with a carton of orange juice while dancing to ‘A Bar Song’ by Shaboozy. The next, it’s an unexpected trip to the hospital.
While this is a period to let your hair down and forget about your worries for a few days, things can go wrong if you’re not careful. The opportunists will be out there, waiting for the tourists to let their guard down. Whether it’s muggings or drink spiking, the dangers are real but can easily be avoided.
Follow these essential safety tips so that you return home in one piece with positive memories, not negative ones.
Pack Your SPF
Many of our readers will be heading to the beach over Spring Break. This means full exposure to the sun, so don’t forget your SPF. The higher the factor, the more protection. Sure, everyone wants to catch a tan, but not to the detriment of your skin. The last thing you want is to fall victim to a bad dose of sunstroke and be bedbound for the entire trip.
Make Sure You Have Mobile Connection
Top up your mobile plan before departing for your trip around the US. An E-sim package can be a lifesaver when traveling abroad to somewhere like Mexico or Canada. It spares you the hassle of waiting in a queue in the airport for a physical sim. You can head straight to your hotel upon landing, often at a lower cost, depending on your provider.
Keep an Eye on Your Drinks
We’ve all heard the horrifying drink-spiking stories. But nobody thinks it will happen to them until it does. Use your hands to cover your drinks in the clubs and bars, and never leave them unattended. If anybody offers to buy you a martini, make sure you can trust the person before taking anything from a stranger.
Have a Taxi Number to Hand
Nobody can predict the situations they’ll find themselves in on the road, and it’s no different over Spring Break. Always have a taxi number to hand just in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. You never know when you might need it.
Budget-Friendly Spring Break Ideas
Get To Know Houston, Texas
Houston might be the US’s fourth-largest city, but it doesn’t get that much attention over Spring Break. Most just know Houston for its oil production, but hiding behind the skyscrapers in the Skyline District is a slew of expansive urban spaces such as Hermann Park, trendy areas like Montrose, a creative street art scene, and the world-renowned NASA Johnson Space Center.
Even by US standards, Houston is quite a cheap city to visit. If you’ve got sightseeing on your mind, buy the CityPASS for $76 (€72.56). It gives you admission to the Houston Space Center and a choice of four other attractions from this list: Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Kemah Boardwalk, Children’s Museum Houston, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Cut back on the costs of your meals by eating at one of the famed food trucks. Some popular choices are Tacos Tierra Caliente and the Cuban Spot.
Looking for some fun events while you’re in town? Bayou City Art Festival Spring Downtown takes place between March 23rd and 24th, and the Moon 2 Mars Festival goes on from March 13th to 16th.
Chill Out Along the Pacific Coast in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta brings something fresh to the Spring Break scene. Unlike the usual coastal hotspots down by the Yucatan Peninsula, it’s more chilled out here with less rowdy vibes. The scenery is unbelievably beautiful, too; the views of the Bahía de Banderas and Sierra Madre Mountains are enough to rival those of anywhere down south.
Known as ‘Vallarta’ to those who keep coming back, this part of Mexico is famous for its warm, sunny weather—though let’s be real, the claim of 360 days of sun might be a bit of a stretch. From June to October, the rainy season rolls in, bringing dramatic afternoon downpours that can soak you faster than a misplaced cannonball dive. Plan accordingly!
The accommodation is spread across Puerto Vallarta’s different ‘zonas.’ To keep costs down, Centro is the way to go; there are a bunch of cheap hotels and guesthouses down here that start from around MXN 491.86 (€23) a night.
And while Vallarta might not be as wild as some of its other Spring Break rivals, things start heating up on March 10th. Expect electric nights at venues like Mandala Nightclub, Chickball Sunset Club, and La Santa Nightclub.
Spring Break for Families
Get Your Adrenaline Fix in Orlando, Florida’s Theme Parks
Orlando, Florida, might just be the most family-friendly place in all of America. Think of all the theme parks: Universal Studios, Disney World, and Sea World. Oh, and that’s before we even get to all the waterparks like Aquatica.
A trip to Orlando with the family can be pricey, especially when there are so many theme parks. It’s better to focus your attention on a select few rather than trying to do them all. Luckily, some parks have combo passes that allow you to visit a handful of them over a select number of days instead of paying for them one by one. For example, up until March 25th, Disney World is offering a 4-park ticket for 4 days for $475.00 (€453.35).
On the days you’re not screaming your heart out on the rollercoasters, get out and see what else is going on around Orlando. Take the crew to see Orlando City play against D.C. United in the MLS (tickets start from $17 (€16.23)), or check out the Crayola Spring Break Experience, which is open late until (8 pm) March 22nd; entry costs $27.99 (€26.71) if purchased online beforehand.
Unearth America’s History in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., maybe America’s center for politics, but that’s only one side of the capital. Many are unaware of the many free attractions visitors can take advantage of here. Where do I even begin? You don’t have to spend a penny to get into the Smithsonian Museums. Monuments like the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and the White House can seen from afar without buying tickets. And, if you want some running commentary about some of the sights, you can join one of the free walking tours hosted by D.C. By Foot.
Around Spring Break, D.C., is a hive of activity. The National Cherry Blossom Festival starts on March 20th; if you’re lucky, you might catch some blooming before taking your flight back home. Get your tickets to the Sister Act Musical (prices start from $41 (€39.13) for a little chuckle. Anyone who’s still in town on March 27th should go and watch the home opener for the Washington Nationals (tickets start from $54 (€51.54); it’s their 20th anniversary, so it promises to be a big one.
Adventure and Outdoor Spring Break Activities
Spend a Few Nights Camping in Yosemite National Park, California
No national park is as iconic as Yosemite: days hiking the Yosemite Valley, pictures in front of El Capitan, and road trips on the Tioga Road Drive. It won’t be your typical Spring Break, but it could be your most memorable yet.
In total, there are 13 main campgrounds scattered around Yosemite National Park. Some of these require bookings, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Since it will be Spring Break, I wouldn’t risk taking a gamble on just showing up; it’s better to book a place ahead of time. A night camping here should set you back between $30 (€28.63) and $40 (€38.18), which far beats the hundreds you’d spend on a hotel.
You won’t find many Spring Break events happening around Yosemite; it will just be you and Mother Nature, as well as your other campmates. Big parties are overrated anyway; something as simple as a campfire with a few smores beats that tenfold, in my opinion.
Cruise From Village to Village on Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán is the star of Guatemala for me. This 49.3 square mile lake sits in the country’s central highlands, surrounded by a handful of unique Mayan villages. San Pedro is the best place to base yourself; it’s a little hippy kind of backpacker settlement loaded with cute cafes (Cafecristalinas serves some of the best coffee I’ve ever had), funky bars, and many schools where you can learn Spanish. San Juan La Laguna is great for picking up souvenirs, and San Marcos is for the Eat, Pray, Love type.
Don’t sleep on the idea of spending a few hours in Panajachel. Yes, it’s more built up than the others, but the streets here are just so adorable, and it’s a great location to head out on a day trip to the famous Chichicastenango Market.
Getting around Lake Atitlán is very easy, thanks to the lanchas (boats). Don’t fall into the trap of spending all your money on private journeys; instead, use the public ones. Prices only start from GTQ 25 (€3.09) per ride, and they show up roughly every 15-20 minutes. Just make sure you don’t leave it until too late to get back to your village; the last one departs at 6:30 pm.
You can’t leave Lake Atitlán without doing the Indian Nose sunrise hike. Trade late Spring Break nights for a 30-minute early morning hike to watch the sun come up over Lake Atitlán; it’s well worth the 4 am wake up. For only around GTQ 100 (€12.37), a guide will pick you up and take you to the top just in time for the big spectacle, and they serve you coffee up there.
Have a Blast This Spring Break
Prepare for an epic Spring Break in 2025. This big vacation period isn’t just about the wild nights anymore; people are spending it out in nature, and others are discovering new cities that were never on their radar only up until recently. However you roll, make it one to remember by visiting one of these incredible places.