That’s right boys and girls; it’s that time of year again… the RecPlex is full of worried looking people and you’re beginning to regret all those chicken turnovers you’ve devoured.
Spring break, baby-a week of not going to class and constant fun. While this may be the norm for some, now you can do it at a real beach, and maybe you’ll find that special someone.
Yet, in getting caught up in the excitement, do you have any real idea about where you or your soon to be ex-girlfriend are going? Here’s a quick outline of the most popular destinations this year.
Cancun
“The perfect place to make a mockery of yourself,” said Gregg Strausser, ’02.
Always a favorite destination, over 200,000 students will flock to Cancun this year. The beaches consist of white sand and warm water, where the average temperature in March is 86 degrees. Assuming you can drag yourself out of bed, popular activities include windsurfing, water-skiing, jet skiing, sailing, and snorkeling and day trips exploring the remaining Mayan culture.
Nightlife is not a problem; there are over 200 bars and clubs in the hotel zone. You’ll want to check out Daddy’O, rated one of the top five dance clubs worldwide; Fat Tuesday’s, with an outdoor beachfront dance floor and largest selection of frozen drinks in Cancun; Senior Frog’s, which has an “anything goes” atmosphere; and La Boom, one of Cancun’s more modern clubs.
The crowd in general is younger here, since the drinking age is 18. However, the highest ratio of women to men is found there. Tip: Remember that the law is quick to arrest there, but even quicker to listen to your friend Ben (as in Franklin).
Jamaica
“It’s cool because you have the choice of doing the spring break scene, or you can just chill out away from it all,” said Ryan Clune, ’03.
It’s one of the more laid back destinations. Hard to imagine why…Jamaica is known as the home of reggae and breathtaking beaches. Activities include exploring ocean caves complete with underground bars, bonfire beach parties, cliff jumping/rope swings, rainforest hikes, parasailing and jet skiing.
When night falls the two best bars tend to be Risky Business and Margueritaville. The atmosphere is open-aired dance floors located right on the beach. Tip: Jamaica has one of the highest crime rates for spring break.
Acapulco
Make sure to pack your club threads. Mexico’s newest Spring Break hot spot is legendary for having the most advanced mega nightclubs in the world. Beaches include golden brown sand and swaying palm trees. There are also fresh water lagoons perfect for the many water sports offered.
You’ll want to check out the famous Acapulco cliff divers; lounge back with a cocktail and watch people hurl themselves into shallow water filled with jagged rocks. At night, the club concepts are unmatched by any other spring break location. You’ll want to check out Palladium’s live firework show and then head over to Andromedas to check out their mermaids. Nickname: the 24-hour city.
Bahamas
There tends to be an older crowd here, and slightly less of a classic spring break atmosphere, mostly because of the price. However the extreme beauty should make you forget that there are more “uncle-type” folks then you would like to see.
The beaches are covered in an unbelievably white sand that feels soft to the touch. The water cannot be matched; nothing buy transparent blue for hundreds of yards out. Activities are the same as the others, however snorkeling here is a notch above the other locations.
One other dangerous activity found here are casinos. Do yourself a favor and attend take a walk on the beach instead, you will be in no state of mind to gamble. Plus, you actually need to pay $15 to get out of the country.
At night, most clubs are found along the beach. Each club seems to have a certain set night, so you can always be sure that you are going to a good party. Must clubs are Bahamas Boom, and The Zoo. The Waterloo is great, because it contains a pool inside the club-amuse yourself by pushing your friends in.
South Padre
“I’m not gonna lie to you, I had an unbelievable time there when I was only 18, so I can’t imagine what it’s gonna be like this year,” said Jeb Brady, ’02, as he frantically packed.
Possibly the most popular destination this year, Padre offers an all day and night party debacle. The scene is equally wild during the day and night, all day parties, contests and concerts rage on the beach- leaving one to wonder when one will sleep.
Activities include day trips to Mexico, deep sea fishing, and an enormous water park, which was just recently built. As the Texas stars come out, you’ll want to head to Louie’s Back Yard, just look for the bungee tower. This is just the thing you want to do after a night of alcohol. Charles Paradise Country Club offers 24 bars and 11 dance floors.
To top it off, Playboy, Girls Gone Wild and the Hawaiian Tropic Pageant will all be in South Padre. Final Facts: Texas law generously allows topless sunbathing and kegs on the beach… what an outstanding combination.
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