{"id":4553,"date":"2016-03-21T07:46:14","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T11:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/?p=4553"},"modified":"2026-04-14T16:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:22:18","slug":"spring-break-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/spring-break-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Break 2016: 9 Amazing Last Minute Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>No Spring Break plans? Don&#8217;t spend it on the couch watching TV as life passes you by!\u00a0<strong>These\u00a09 destinations guarantee an amazing Spring Break, even at the last minute.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You can either go join the party at one of 2016&#8217;s most popular destinations, or you can go off the beaten path for a more laid-back atmosphere. The choice is yours. Read on to discover\u00a05 of the most popular Spring Break destinations plus 4 &#8220;hidden gems.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>The Top Destinations for Spring Break 2016<\/h2>\n<p>Looking for a traditional Spring Break experience? Does partying with thousands of your new closest friends sound like your cup of tea? Here are the top five Spring Break destinations for US travelers:<\/p>\n<h2>South Padre Island, Texas<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/beach-coastline-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Spring Break in South Padre, Texas\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/beach-coastline.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/beach-coastline-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/beach-coastline-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>Every year, tens of thousands of college students flock to this sandy Texas island in the Gulf of Mexico. If you&#8217;re looking for the typical sun-and-beer fueled Spring Break experience, South Padre is virtually guaranteed to deliver.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Go?<\/h3>\n<p>South Padre knows how to party, and the island is not shy about catering to the college party crowd. There are ten huge nightclubs, miles and miles of sandy beaches, and drinking on the beach is allowed. But don&#8217;t party TOO hard- this \u00a0year, the police will be using drones to keep an eye on things.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>You do not need a passport to go to South Padre. If you planned to cross into nearby Mexico, you would need a passport or a passport card. However, the epidemic of drug violence across the border makes that idea unwise at best.<!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>Florida<br \/>\n<img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/daytona-beach-bandshell-and-the-nearby-beachfront-in-daytona-beach-florida-usa-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Historic area and beach in Florida\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/daytona-beach-bandshell-and-the-nearby-beachfront-in-daytona-beach-florida-usa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/daytona-beach-bandshell-and-the-nearby-beachfront-in-daytona-beach-florida-usa-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/daytona-beach-bandshell-and-the-nearby-beachfront-in-daytona-beach-florida-usa-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>Florida is where Spring Break in America was born. College students have flocked to Florida beach towns like Fort Lauderdale since the late 30&#8217;s. Archetypical &#8220;spring break&#8221; films like\u00a0<em>Where the Boys Are<\/em>\u00a0(1961) and\u00a0<em>Spring Break\u00a0<\/em>(1985) were set here, and MTV&#8217;s first Spring Break special was filmed in Daytona Beach.<\/h2>\n<h3>Why go?<\/h3>\n<p>Florida has some of the best beaches in the country. Florida cities and towns like Miami, Daytona Beach, Panama City and Cocoa Beach routinely make lists of the most popular Spring Break destinations in the country. However, some Florida beach towns have become weary of crowds of rowdy young adults. New rules in some cities aim to reign in excessive drinking and make the beaches friendlier to families and people of all ages. Stay on the right side of the law by researching ahead of time.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>None needed.<\/p>\n<h2>Cancun, Mexico<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4569\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/yucatan-peninsula-in-quintana-roo-mexico-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Cancun Mexico hotels and condos on the beach\" width=\"700\" height=\"393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/yucatan-peninsula-in-quintana-roo-mexico-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/yucatan-peninsula-in-quintana-roo-mexico-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/yucatan-peninsula-in-quintana-roo-mexico-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/yucatan-peninsula-in-quintana-roo-mexico.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking for a beach party with a more international flavor? Cancun&#8217;s Spring Break events attract students from around the world.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Go?<\/h3>\n<p>The beaches are stunning, and the nightlife is spectacular. Opportunities for interesting day trips abound. Possibilities include: snorkeling, visiting Mayan ruins, or swimming in a cenote. \u00a0As a major tourist city, Cancun is generally considered safe. That said, you should take all the usual precautions you would take when traveling outside of the country.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>You will need a passport book with at least six months validity and one full blank page. \u00a0If you&#8217;re visiting Cancun as part of a cruise that starts and ends at the same US port, you can get by with a state ID and birth certificate or with a passport card <strong>BUT<\/strong> you really should have a passport book in case you need to fly back home.<\/p>\n<h2>Punta Cana, Dominican Republic<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4571\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/woman-jumping-on-beach.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in white coverup and hat jumping on the beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/woman-jumping-on-beach.jpg 960w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/woman-jumping-on-beach-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/woman-jumping-on-beach-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Punta Cana is one of the hottest up-and-coming destinations for Spring Break 2016.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Go?<\/h3>\n<p>White sand beaches, luxurious all-inclusive resorts AND \u00a0a tropical rainforest to explore? Where do we sign up? Additionally, should you desire to mingle with the locals, the Punta Cana area as a whole is fairly safe.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>You need a passport book if you are flying. \u00a0Your passport must be valid to enter the country, and you&#8217;ll need one blank page in the back.<\/p>\n<p>Again, if you&#8217;re on a closed-loop cruise you can use a state ID and a birth certificate or a passport card, but a passport book is recommended.<\/p>\n<h2>Las Vegas, Nevada<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/las-vegas-strip-in-las-vegas-nevada-usa-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"The Strip in Las Vegas\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/las-vegas-strip-in-las-vegas-nevada-usa.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/las-vegas-strip-in-las-vegas-nevada-usa-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/las-vegas-strip-in-las-vegas-nevada-usa-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Las Vegas may not fit the stereotypical spring break beach vacation stereotype, but it&#8217;s actually the most popular destination for US college students according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/news-release\/2015\/02\/02\/701955\/10117983\/en\/Over-Half-of-College-Students-Hitting-the-Road-for-Spring-Break-According-to-CheapTickets-com-Survey-Las-Vegas-Cancun-and-Punta-Cana-Top-List-of-Hot-Destinations.html\">CheapTickets.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Go?<\/h3>\n<p>Provided you don&#8217;t spend too much time in the casinos, Las Vegas is one of the cheapest Spring Break destinations this year. Hotels and casinos in the area know how to throw a party, and they cater to Spring Break crowds.<\/p>\n<h3><del><\/del>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>None needed.<\/p>\n<h2>Spring Break Destinations 2016: Off the Beaten Path<\/h2>\n<h2>Tulum, Mexico<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tulum-ruins-tulum-quintana-roo-mexico-1024x685.jpg\" alt=\"Tulum Mexico beach and ancient ruins\" width=\"700\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tulum-ruins-tulum-quintana-roo-mexico.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tulum-ruins-tulum-quintana-roo-mexico-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/tulum-ruins-tulum-quintana-roo-mexico-768x514.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking for a calmer, quieter alternative to chaotic Cancun? Tulum is a more laid-back (and more expensive) alternative.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Go?<\/h3>\n<p>The beaches are perfect, the food is amazing, and the nearby Mayan ruins are definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>A passport book with 6 months validity and one blank page.<\/p>\n<h2>Punta Mita, Mexico<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/sunset-view-of-an-infinity-pool-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Infinity pool in Punta Mita, Mexico overlooking the ocean during sunset\" width=\"700\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/sunset-view-of-an-infinity-pool.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/sunset-view-of-an-infinity-pool-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/sunset-view-of-an-infinity-pool-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Described \u00a0by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbestravelguide\/2012\/03\/09\/how-to-spring-break-like-an-adult\/#e6f92b46ba1d\">Forbes<\/a> as &#8220;one of the top places to Spring Break like an adult,&#8221; Punta Mita has managed what many Mexican resort towns have not: growth without the growing pains.<\/p>\n<h3>Why go?<\/h3>\n<p>This artsy beachside town is popular enough to merit visits from celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, but quiet enough to satisfy travelers looking for rest and renewal.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>Passport requirements for Punta Mita are the same as for other Mexican destinations.<\/p>\n<h2>Mexico City, Mexico<\/h2>\n<p><img wpfc-lazyload-disable=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/zocalo-plaza-de-la-constitucion-the-main-square-mexico-city-mexico-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Mexico City, Mexico\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/zocalo-plaza-de-la-constitucion-the-main-square-mexico-city-mexico.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/zocalo-plaza-de-la-constitucion-the-main-square-mexico-city-mexico-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/d2qea59vi8or.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/zocalo-plaza-de-la-constitucion-the-main-square-mexico-city-mexico-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>If you&#8217;d rather soak up culture than sunshine, Mexico City is an excellent (and relatively inexpensive) Spring Break alternative.<\/p>\n<h3>Why Go?<\/h3>\n<p>Why not? Whether you&#8217;re into art, shopping, or nightlife, you&#8217;re bound to find something that appeals to you in Mexico City.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>You&#8217;ll need a passport book with at least one blank page and an expiration at least six months away from your arrival date.<\/p>\n<h2>Sri Lanka<\/h2>\n<p>Want to go somewhere more exotic? Sri Lanka is this year&#8217;s top-secret beach destination for those in the know.<\/p>\n<h3>Why go?<\/h3>\n<p>Often mentioned as an undiscovered alternative to Thailand and Costa Rica, Sri Lanka offers a similarly tropical, close-to-nature feeling without the crowds of tourists. Arugam Bay on the Indian Ocean is a surfer&#8217;s paradise.<\/p>\n<h3>Passport Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>You need:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A passport book valid for 6 months from the date you plan to leave the country and with at least one blank page in the back.<\/li>\n<li>Approval from Sri Lanka\u2019s\u00a0<a id=\"anch_108\" class=\"ext_link\" href=\"http:\/\/www.eta.gov.lk\/slvisa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Electronic Travel Authorization System<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Proof of departure (a ticket home or just out of the country).<\/li>\n<li>Proof of &#8220;sufficient funds&#8221; to pay for your stay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How to Get a Passport for Spring Break 2016<\/h2>\n<p>If you&#8217;re traveling to a destination that requires a passport, you need to apply ASAP. \u00a0And you&#8217;ll need to expedite it, one way or another.<\/p>\n<p>If you have at least three weeks before you depart, you can request expedited service at the post office for an additional $60.00<\/p>\n<p>If you have less than three weeks, make an appointment at the nearest passport agency or use an expediting service like RushMyPassport. \u00a0RushMyPassport will hand-deliver your application to the Department of State for processing in as little as 24 hours, with no need to make an appointment or wait in line at an agency.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about both options here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/how-to-order-a-passport-at-the-last-minute\/\">How to Apply for a Passport at the Last Minute<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Or, <a href=\"https:\/\/checkout.rushmypassport.com\/\">start your passport application now<\/a> with RushMyPassport&#8217;s easy order process.<\/p>\n<p>Happy Spring Break!<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credits:License <a title=\"Attribution-NoDerivs License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/travelingfoolsofamerica\/\">PhotoFox5000<\/a>, \u00a0 <a title=\"Attribution-ShareAlike License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/inazakira\/\">inazakira<\/a>,\u00a0\u00a0By <a class=\"new\" title=\"User:Dronepicr (page does not exist)\" href=\"\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=User:Dronepicr&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1\">Dronepicr<\/a> &#8211; <span class=\"int-own-work\" lang=\"en\">Own work<\/span>, <a title=\"Creative Commons Attribution 3.0\" href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\">CC BY 3.0<\/a>, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=44317253 ; <a title=\"Attribution License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tripandtravelblog\/\">tripandtravelblog<\/a>,\u00a0 <a title=\"Attribution License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/davidstanleytravel\/\">D-Stanley<\/a>, \u00a0 <a title=\"Attribution License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/bosstweed\/\">Boss Tweed<\/a>,\u00a0 <a title=\"Attribution-ShareAlike License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/antonystanley\/\">gripso_banana_prune<\/a>,\u00a0 <a title=\"Attribution License\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">Some rights reserved<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/indi\/\">indi.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No Spring Break plans? Don&#8217;t spend it on the couch watching TV as life passes you by!\u00a0These\u00a09 destinations guarantee an amazing Spring Break, even at the last minute.\u00a0 You can either go join the party at one of 2016&#8217;s most popular destinations, or you can go off the beaten path for a more laid-back atmosphere. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":49969,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[68,109,396,104],"class_list":["post-4553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-last-minute-travel","tag-spring-break","tag-spring-break-destinations","tag-spring-break-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4553"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76791,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4553\/revisions\/76791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49969"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rushmypassport.com\/newlp\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}