Surviving Spring Break
A few dos and don’ts to make your experience worthwhile

By Candice Grieco

During an eight-week spring break period in 2005, U.S. students accounted for two deaths, 360 arrests, four injuries that required medical evacuations out of the area, one rape and 495 reports of lost or stolen property, according to the U.S. Consulate in Merida, Mexico.

Despite how startling that sounds, more than 170,000 college and high school students go on spring break every year and are placed in these situations. So, how does one trade in perilous circumstances for envious fun? How does one come back to his or her hometown with nothing but great memories that will make all stay-at-home friends jealous? How does one survive spring break?

Most spring-break-goers rarely have safety on their minds while preparing for their trips; in fact, it’s probably the least of their worries. However, safety, as far down on the list of concerns as it may be, should be a number one priority. According to Jen Grimes, a sales associate at STS Travel, most problems that occur deal with the consumption of alcohol. Grimes said a lot of situations that people get into are a result of getting “too drunk and hurting themselves.”

“To ensure maximum safety, don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in the U.S.,” said Grimes. “It’s different in [third world countries], and people need to realize that.”

The travel Web site StudentSpringBreak.com states that a student’s “yearly intake of alcohol could happen in one small week” on spring break. With information like that in mind, it’s no wonder that students are putting themselves in dangerous situations.

Times may have changed, but over the years, spring break has not. Sue Lodge, who went to Acapulco, Mexico in February 1982, said that staying with a group is the best bet in staying safe and that it is most important to “travel with a group.”

“Never go anywhere alone, stay with a group,” said Lodge. “Also, don’t go anywhere with a stranger. Be sure to provide your own transportation.”

Money is another issue that often comes up. How does one come back to the U.S. with money to spare? Since the scene that most look for involves bars and clubs, Grimes suggests buying party packages, which usually range from $100 to $200. Such packages come with various wristbands that allow students free admission to bars and clubs with all-you-can-drink specials. Grimes said it will save money in the long run to buy VIP party packages.

“The best way to save money is to figure out how much money to spend a day and make a daily budget for yourself,” said Lodge. “Also, have a little bit of emergency money hidden in your wallet in case of emergency.”

Another money saver is purchasing meal plans. Grimes said that not only does this save money, but it also keeps students aware of the safer places to eat. Often with meal packages, the places students can eat are well-known restaurants where most of the representatives have eaten before. Lodge said that while on her trip, she did not purchase a meal plan and she never had a problem with the food, but her friend did have stomach issues.

Grimes said she has “never heard of anyone having a problem with the food” when they bought the meal plan.

“[You should] buy the meal plan through the company you are traveling with,” said Grimes. “If we allow our representatives to eat that food, then you know it is good and it is safe to eat.”

Grimes said with the party packages and meal plan, the only money a student will need when on spring break is money for souvenirs, taxis and tipping. When it comes to buying souvenirs, students should bargain. According to Grimes, people should not give the original price that sellers are asking for.

“Usually if you turn down the offer, they lower the prices,” said Grimes. “They’ll also take anything; they love American money. It’s not a bad idea to bring just American money when you have a party pack and a meal plan already.”

Even if students know how to keep themselves protected and save money, how do they have fun? Grimes, who was a spring-breaker herself, said it was the people she went with that made her spring break memorable.

“The weather was beautiful, and I was with very good friends,” she said. “The clubs were great and I didn’t feel like I was in any harm, but at that age, you really don’t [notice danger], but nowadays the world has changed.”

On the flip side, problems do arise that if looked at beforehand, could have been prevented. The most common complaints that Grimes receives are about the hotels.

“What people need to remember is that it is not a five-star hotel,” she said. “People do not realize they are in a third-world country and that [hotels] are not as nice as in the U.S.”

Knowing the area to which one plans to travel benefits the vacationer as well. Not only does it provide students with knowledge of where to eat and party, but also where the safest places to travel are located.

“What could have made my experience better is that I probably should have had more information about Acapulco before we went,” said Lodge. “Then, I would have known beforehand where to eat and where was safe; plan ahead and know the area.”

What it comes down to is what the students make of it, said Grimes. There will be good points and bad points on spring break, but how one handles certain situations and how prepared one is can make or break the trip.

“The most common misconception of spring break is how much [students] think they should drink,” said Grimes. “You don’t have to get ridiculously drunk to have a good time. You don’t have to do the contests that are there either. If you just do what you normally do at home, you’ll have a great spring break.”