Top Ten Spring Break Destinations 2010

By Travis Pulver

There are a lot of really important decisions that one is faced with in college- what do I want to do when I grow up, what am I going to major in, what fraternity should I pledge, etc.- the questions go on and on.  We here at COED do not pretend to know all the answers to life’s questions, but we do know the answer to one very important question- where to party on Spring Break.  (And for the dates by school, check out this site)

10. Stay-Cation Spring Break Party
Money’s tight these days, so the “Stay-cation” is becoming a bigger and bigger Spring Break Alternative.  The simple fact is that with the right friends (and liquor) you don’t need to drop four figures to have a good time.  It is not the ultimate or even ideal choice, but you can throw a massive party, have a great time and still buy your text books  next semester by just staying at home. Most of the popular spring break stops take money – some big money – which is something every college kid could use more of these days, so the Stay-cation is a necessity for some. The key here is planning ahead. Check out what services and discounts are available to college kids ahead of time and you can take advantage of some great offers.  For example, Voodoo Tiki Tequila (www.voodootiki.com) has a Free Stay-Cation Party Pack designed to help you turn your backyard, beach, park or dorm room into the ultimate Tiki Tequila Paradise Party. It comes with prizes, some decorations, Tiki Shot Glasses, a Guide to 100 Party Margaritas, and other party items.  It can be yours for the simple promise of some party photos of you and your friends enjoying your event.  Email them at SpringBreak@voodootiki.com and ask for more info – it’s free.

9. Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
A quaint little town south of the more well-known Cancun, Playa Del Carmen is quickly becoming the vacation spot of the future. With a string of all-inclusive resorts within a short bus ride, the opportunities for boozing it up after para-sailing, scuba diving, or shopping are endless. Just be sure to stay away from the water; great excuse to drink beer.  Check out more on Play Del Carmen here.

8. South Padre Island, Texas, USA
This popular spot on the Gulf Coast of Texas has been the scene of many a wild and crazy Spring Break bash. Chances are good you might find your parent’s name written on the bathroom wall somewhere. It just goes to show that some things are timeless (like booze, babes, bikinis, and reduced inhibitions).

7. Adventurati Cruises, Caribbean Cruise
Anyone can book passage on a cruise ship, but if you want to cruise in real style hook up with a sailing adventure through Adventurati. This March Adventurati will be teaming with The Yacht Week to plan the biggest and best sailing adventure in the Caribbean. There is nothing like sailing the clear, blue seas with the wind in your hair. Don’t worry; there will also be plenty of time on the beaches and bars to get your freak on.  This trip look amazing!  You must watch this video!

6. Montego Bay, Jamaica
There are few places around the world that are as beautiful as Montego Bay. The beaches lure in beautiful women from all over the world. The resorts have been in business for sometime and know what they are doing when It comes to pampering their guests. Jamaica may cost you few more pennies than some of the other options, but it will be well worth it. With all the rum you can bring back with you, you can relive your Jamaican holiday over and over again.

5. Escazu, Costa Rica
Coffee and other stimulants tend to be the first thing to come to mind when people think about Costa Rica, however, it is one of the best unknown vacation spots around. A growing collection of embassies give the town an international flavor without the obnoxious tourist feel of other Latin American cities. When you want to do something besides rub elbows and drink there are tons of canoeing, hiking, and other jungle adventures to be had as well, but the real reason this is a huge Spring Break destination is the women!  It’s a little known and closely guarded secret that in many parts of Costa Rica the girls are . . .“Aggressive” when it comes to the visiting guys.  Don’t be surprised to be approached numerous times throughout the night by ladies – (and be less surprised when half of them are “working girls” – but hey, one way or another you’re paying so who cares?)  Professional or amateur aside, it’s a party for any group of guys . . .couples not so much.

4. Panama City, Florida, USA
A stand by for Spring Break for decades, Panama City will likely continue to be one for decades more. There is just something about the comfortable temperatures, the beautiful beaches, and the even more beautiful bikinis that seem to draw Spring Breakers back to this popular spot every year, which was basically handed over from Fort Lauderdale when the city decided they “didn’t want that element any longer.”  Well what do you know, it turns out that “That Element” comes to town pouring gobs of cash all over, and today Fort Lauderdale beach looks as broken down as a 48 year old meth whore short on New Ports, while Panama Beach is flush with fine Spring Break Coeds and all their juicy cash.  WTG – Fort Lauderdale!  So for all intents and purposes, this is the original!  Check out more on Panama City Here .

3. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Last year the Hangover reminded us how cool Vegas can be. However, Vegas has defined cool ever since the days of the Rat Pack, the Mob, and the King of Rock n’ Roll- Elvis Presley. Spend spring break in Vegas and you will have every opportunity to reinvent yourself (for at least a week). And remember- what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!  The club scene in Vegas is off the chart in the last two years with XS, Tryst, anyplace in the Palms, Pure, Tao, LAX, Rain and the list keeps going and going.  Diablo on the strip is mobbed with tequila slurping revelers during the day, as are the numerous pool parties that have sprung up due to the success of Hard Rock Rehab.  For a sexy and seductive semi-audience participation show, check out “BITE” at the Stratosphere.  The best part is that prices this year are the lowest we’ve seen in a decade!  Although consider that some club entrance fees could be as much as $30!  Do your homework and look for passes and deals online – beware blackout dates on passes purchased on Ebay.

2. Cancun, Mexico
A perrenial Spring Break Mainstay on the list, and probably the most consistantly appearing on any SB Top 10 list for the past two decades.  You can make a great case for Fort Lauderdale SB moved to Cancun, but the look and feel is decidely different than what you’ll get in Florida these days which much more resembles the classic 80′s Spring Break . Cancun remains a popular and affordable SB spot,  attracting people young and old to an idea of its pristine beaches, gorgeous resorts, cool waters and hot parties . . .However, the place is pretty beat up and worn down.  Those “Pristine” beaches actually never made that great a comeback after a few massive hurricane seasons.  The high end, “Dress Up to Enter” superclubs (Like KRISTINE) are gone, and what you basically have is a Coco Bongo (It’s basically Baja Beach Club in Mexico), a pale shadow of the Original Dady-O that used to completely rock, and thankfully the stalwart La Boom still holding the torch.  So how is it number two on the list – the people, the attutude and the crowds!  In a wink to the ability to have a good time anywhere, the crowds are massive and come to really let their hair down.  There’s probably no easier place to meet the opposite sex (Save Costa Rica with a pile of $20s) than Cancun.  A few fair warnings, Cancun skews a bit younger than many of the other choices (Especially Vegas and South Beach) and you might have to knock out a smart-ass (and subsequently spend a few years in a Mexican jail for it), but those minor issues aside, it’s the most definitive spot for SB since Fort Lauderdale circa 1984.  Prices are always fairly low for Spring Breakers, so the deals aren’t as juicy as some other destinations, but if you’ve never done Spring Break before it’s a great starting point.

1. South Beach Miami, Florida,USA
People come her for one of two reasons;  because they are hot or because they want to gawk at hot people. One of the premier party destinations in the world, every college kid should enjoy this mecca of booze, babes, and beaches at least once while they are young, and then as often as possible  as you get older (or at least as often as you can afford). Enjoy the bikinis and beaches by day and then party at any of over a hundred hot spots, bars and nightclubs at night.  The ultimate Spring Break if you have wads and wads of cash will be the Week of the 20-27 of March for the Miami Winter Music Conference, when the entire house music party world will descend upon South beach and all fist pump and bop at once.  However, before you pack know that a table at one of the 3-4 major venues on a night with a top highline act (Think David Guetta, Armin Van Buren or Tiesto) could run you $1500 a person! (Last year Tiesto at the nightclub Liv was $6500 a table seating 10 – $650 a person that’s 2 bottles and mixers total for $6500 and 10 admits – but in fairness it’s Tiesto! The only thing comparable is maybe the Rapture – maybe – and like Studio 54 I hear you have to be picked to get into Heaven as well, so I’m screwed. )  Right now the hottest club on the Washington Avenue strip is the Opium Group’s Hot spot Mansion, and they’re sure to have plenty of superstars locked down, but it will be a mob scene.  For a 17 hour party on the beach with one hot shot DJ after another check out Juicy Beach at Nikki Beach featuring Sirius radio star Robbie Rivera.   Before you go make sure to sign up for an INCARD to get a discount at numerous spots on the beach, as well as an Opium group VIP Card at the mansion Website.  You might get blacked out, but having them can’t hurt – ( and mention that you read about them on Coed Magazine!)