Spring Break Travel Tips

Spring Break is right around the corner, and The Bridge would like to offer students some helpful tips for making the most of the break.

When it comes to choosing where to go, students have almost unlimited travel possibilities. Most prefer tropical or beach vacation areas where the sun's hot and the water's cold.

A popular Spring Break spot for college students all over the country is South Padre Island. For one week, thousands crowd the beach for some fun in the sun.

The popularity of spots like these lead to a problem. The hotels and resorts in the area fill up quickly. For those that don't, prices get higher and higher.

Whether vacationing at South Padre Island or elsewhere, a good idea is for students to book their stay early to avoid full rooms or overpaying.

When booking, students should look for package or group deals. Many hotels will have better rates for groups or for an extended stay.  

Traveling in a group not only gives students the chance of a group rate, but it has the added benefits of safety and shared costs.

If students are not particular about where they stay, travel sites like hotwire.com, expedia.com, and kayak.com may have better deals than simply booking straight from a hotel's website.

Once there, students should be careful to monitor their money. One way for students to handle their finances is by creating a budget. It might seem boring for students to create a budget during Spring Break, but this guarantees enough money for the entire vacation.

A good way to handle a budget without many difficulties is by assigning a certain amount of money for the day and only carrying that amount. If students leave money back in the hotel room, they should remember to store it in a safe, which most hotels provide free of charge.

Another way to save money is for students to find hotels that provide free breakfast, making that one less expense during the break.

It may seem ridiculous for students to worry about sunscreen after purposely vacationing in a hot and sunny area during Spring Break; however, it is important to remember that sunscreen helps protect against skin cancers. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are also common during the hot temperatures, so students are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids.

Students should monitor their surroundings and stay with friends to avoid dangerous situations. Most importantly, students should remember to stay safe and protected in any situation and at all times.