Spring break—a staple for students across the world, especially those attending institutions for higher education. Yeah, I’m talking about you college girl. In my experience planning for spring break can be incredibly tedious. You not only have to get your group of friends together to agree to go to one place, but you also have to decide on a trip that’s equal parts fun, relaxing, and affordable. Just in case you’ve been putting this planning off until the very last minute, I’ve decided to lend a helping hand and give you my list of 2020 must-go spring break destinations.
Nassau, The Bahamas
A beautiful international destination with white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water for miles. The capital is regularly visited by tourists for its culture and history, which means it may be crowded but also safe to explore. However, the biggest attraction has to be the beach. From snorkeling to scuba diving, you can do it all here. It’s also fairly easy to travel from island to island and explore.
Flights to the Bahamas are going to depend on your location, but they’re going to be fairly expensive considering spring break in the United States is only a month away. I traveled to Nassau on a four-day cruise a couple of years back. Many cruise lines have options for longer stays. Typical prices usually range from $300–$400 per person, depending on the type of package you choose to book. Some cruise lines have certain age requirements—such as requiring all passengers be 21-years or older—so make sure to read that fine print before booking your trip.
Here’s where I would start:
Royal Caribbean International ranked highly in cost-benefit analysis for 2020 cruise lines. They have several Caribbean destinations aside from the Bahamas, dates, and ports.
Carnival Cruises are both affordable and entertaining, which makes them very popular among spring breakers.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Like Nassau, Punta Cana is known for endless fun on its beautiful beaches. Swimming with sharks and zip-lining are just two popular activities most tourists engage in while visiting.
I’ve never actually been to Punta Cana, so I can’t give a full recommendation on what this location is like for spring break travelers. However, March is a great time to visit the city—it’s not in hurricane season and the weather is warm enough to walk around yet not sweat-drenching.
Here’s where I would start:
Flying is probably your best bet as it’s quite difficult to find inexpensive cruises in March and April that are traveling to and returning from Punta Cana in a timely manner. Most 6-7 day roundtrip flights cost anywhere between $400-$700. This covers flights out of places like Oklahoma City, Oklahoma all the way to Boston, Massachusetts—it really just depends on where you want to fly out of. Search for flights not only in your hometown, but surrounding cities you’d be willing to drive to. Make good use of coupon and discount deals, and make sure to check several travel sites so you get the full scope of options.
Breckenridge, Colorado & Colorado Springs, Colorado
This is the destination for those of you who are looking for a colder retreat, and for those of you who more intrigued by nature and being outdoors. Breckenridge is a mountain town known best for its skiing culture. Colorado Springs is the perfect place for the outdoor hiker. There are several trails with stunning red rock and other geological formations to gape at.
While I’ve never been to Breckenridge, I’ve heard this is one of the best ski towns in Colorado. While it can get a little busy during breaks and weekends, it isn’t incredibly upscale or expensive like many others can be.
Colorado Springs is seriously one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. You’re surrounded by mountains and trails and so much fresh air. The other upside is that hiking is FREE. Which is good news for every college student on a budget.
Here’s where I would start:
Drive if you’re close enough to. A road trip can bring out many great stories and bonding moments with your friends. Plus if you’re looking to drive through multiple cities in Colorado, having a car makes that much easier. It’s also cheaper than flying. Flights typically cost anywhere from $300-$600 depending on where you’re flying out of, so it’s not completely out of the question. Talk with your friends and figure out what’s best for your group.
Paris, France
If you’re looking for a new cultural experience, consider traveling to the artistic City of Lights. There’s a lot to see and do in 6-7 days if you’re willing to hit the ground running. Plus traveling to other European countries is pretty easy once you’re inside the continent. If you need some inspiration, check out this post I made about some Europe’s must-do’s.
Here’s where I would start:
Flights are going to be fairly expensive since spring break is right around the corner. A quick search showed that March and April flights to Paris out of most major cities in the United States is typical for this time of year and the duration of the stay. Which means there’s still time to plan a trip here. Book your flight first. There are plenty of lodging opportunities in a city like Paris—hotels, Airbnbs, and even hostels (book through sites like Hostelling International)—so you shouldn’t have a problem finding something while we’re still a few weeks out. Everything else will fall into place after you’ve taken care of the big necessities.
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What are some things you look for when trying to decide where to go for spring break? Share your tips and tricks in the comments section below! This post wouldn’t exist without all the research and links I’ve included per destination above.
Next week’s post is different from anything I’ve ever done on the blog, so make sure to check it out! As always, I’m so so so grateful for all of your reads, comments, and shares—especially as samanthasabio celebrates over 100 posts uploaded to the site! Keep spreading the word and sharing the love!
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