With an awesome Spring Break 2012 in Panama City Beach FL behind us, we thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at who spent the most time researching and planning their Spring Break.

As we expected, most of our traffic came from within the US – but there was LOTS of international traffic from all over the World! Check out the top 5 countries…

In the past, we’ve noticed our visitor trends change throughout the year – some states are always the early birds… looking in November / December. Other states are typically the same slackers… who usually start looking last minute (February / March). The statistics below are based on average traffic to springbreakfunplace.com between November 2011 and March 2012.

Top 10 States visiting Springbreakfunplace.com

Top 10 States researching a Panama City Beach vacation on TripSmarter.com

In Spring Break Destinations (Part 1), we covered domestic US destinations, including Panama City Beach, South Padre, Las Vegas, South Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and Daytona Beach.

One common advantage to all those destinations, is that you don’t need a passport, or any expensive flights to get there… But what if you’re looking to spend your Spring Break outside the US?

There are PLENTY of Spring Break destinations for you to choose from, starting with…

Cancun

Cancun is easily one of the most popular Spring Break destinations, and has a strong reputation as a lively hotspot. A Cancun Spring Break may not come cheap – but if your budget can handle it, you’re in for a great experience.

Spanish is the main language, but you’ll find English spoken in most areas (Just in case, here’s your 3 most essential words: Comida, Aqua, and Cerveza – remember those and you’ll be just fine!)

Hold on though… You’ll need to clear the border. For that you will need a valid passport plus some other forms of official photo ID. There is some good news though; in Cancun the legal drinking age is 18… 3 years younger than the US Spring Break destinations!

Acapulco

You won’t hear many people complaining that their Acapulco Spring Break sucked… There’s plenty to do, day and night. If you get bored (yeah, right) of celebs, pool parties, DJs, bikini contests, beach Olympics and beer pong… you can check out a bull fight, swim with dolphins, or watch some cliff divers do their thing.

In the past, A-listers like Ludacris, Pitbull, and Drake have been spotted in Mexico’s Acapulco Bay during Spring Break. Wanna dance with the devil and flirt with the sunrise? You can in Acapulco (at the Palladium.) The party starts at 11.30 and keeps going until as late as noon the next day!

Cover charges at some of the bigger Acapulco (World class) Nightclubs include all-you-can-drink (which sounds pretty good at first, but it’s expensive!) The Spring Break Acapulco clubs go ALL-OUT though, with multi-million dollar sound systems, laser light shows, and fireworks! You can also find plenty of ultra-luxury all-inclusive Spring Break hotels too – not exactly budget-friendly, but if you have enough moolah to cover it, you’ll be partying LIKE A BOSS!

Expensive but epic. Plus you’ll need a passport to travel.

Montego Bay

Montego Bay is exceptionally beautiful… It’s especially warm and sunny during Spring Break season, and you’ll literally be partying in paradise. As you’d probably expect – you’ll find some great live reggae and calypso bands in Montego Bay (but not so much heavy metal if that’s what you’re in to… Sorry)

If you find yourself with the munchies, Montego Bay has plenty of awesome island cuisine to try out, including the famous ‘Groovy Grouper’. As for accommodation, there’s a lot of choices – ranging from the more expensive options in the heart of it all (the Hip Strip), to the more reasonably priced spots in the surrounding areas, like Rosehall.

If your passport is up to date, and you don’t want an all-out Spring Break party experience, a Montego Bay Spring Break might be for you…

Bahamas

The islands of the Bahamas are a beautiful and tropical Spring Break Destination. Located less than 100 miles away from Miami, it’s easy to hop on a cruise ship and ride across. You’ll find the typical range of watersports activities on offer, like parasailing, snorkeling and windsurfing, as well as a good selection of hotel bars. Plus, if you’re feeling lucky, the Bahamas has a great selection of Casinos for you to enjoy!

Still, the Bahamas just hasn’t fully embraced the Spring Break spirit like other Spring break destinations such as Panama City Beach Florida, or Cancun. When someone says “Bahamas”, you don’t automatically associate it with Spring Break like you do with other destinations. MTV has never been here, and you probably won’t be handed any fliers promoting A-list concerts.

So if it’s a more laid back, less intense Spring Break experience you’re looking for, then the Bahamas might just be the perfect destination. But… if you want the full-on, high octane, all-out Spring Break experience, this destination might not be able to deliver.

Nassau

There’s a few similarities between a Nassau Spring Break experience, and the Bahamas. Nassau is another beautiful location; stunning beaches, beautiful water, great weather all day – and a laid back vibe. You’ll find some bars to party at when the sun goes down too.

BUT… Just like the Bahamas – it’s not a Spring Destination that has fully embraced the party attitude like other places have. Yes, your hotel will be beautiful, comfortable, and tropical – and probably right next to the beach. There are even some great Casinos if that’s your thing…

A Nassau Spring Break experience is definitely on the lower end of the exhilaration scale, and you won’t get the all-out Spring Break action-packed chaos that other destinations guarantee… Then again, that might be exactly what you’re looking for…

You only get one Spring Break… so it’s important you get it right! There’s a seemingly endless list of Spring Break destinations, all of them promising the greatest week of your life, the biggest parties, the best DJ’s, beaches, bikinis and of course, beer!

So how do you decide where to go?

This seems like a pretty good place to start…

Panama City Beach Fl

Panama City Beach, Florida has earned the title of “Spring Break Capital of the World”. That’s a pretty big deal. So what makes Panama City Fl special? Well for starters, it’s stunning… Almost 2 miles of sugar white sandy beaches, sunny, blue skies, and crystal-clear emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Panama City Beach has actually been named “World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”).

But it’s not all about the beach… Panama City Beach also knows how to party! It’s been home to several MTV and MTVU Spring Breaks (2001, 2002, 2005, 2008). With performances from stars like 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Pharrell, Drake, the Ying Yang twins, as well as appearances from reality TV celebs like the Jersey Shore cast.  Not to mention the World famous superclubs like LaVela (the largest nightclub in the US), Spinnaker, and the World Famous Tiki Bar at the Sandpiper Beacon.

The World’s most beautiful beaches, tropical, endless blue skies, warm sunny days, palm trees, watersports, ice cold drinks, Super Clubs, MTV performances, A-listers, celebrity DJs, reality TV stars… Sounds like a Spring Break party to us!

South Padre

They say ‘everything’s bigger in Texas‘… But is that true for Spring Break in South Padre Island?

Home to the “Two Nation Vacation” (because of it’s proximity to Mexico) the beaches of South Padre have been a popular Spring Break destination for some time.

Sharing the same Gulf of Mexico waters as Panama City Beach, Fl. South Padre offers Spring Breakers a sunny, warm climate too… and has even been described as “a little slice of the Caribbean right here at home.” You’ll find plenty of day trips and excursions to check out, including day trips to Mexico, surfing lessons and even cliff diving.

South Padre has also had its fair share of celebrities, reality TV stars, and famous DJs.

Las Vegas

There’s no question that a Las Vegas Spring Break will be one to remember. Hell, it’s called Sin City for a reason… Sounds pretty good right? The question is, will your budget be able to handle it?

If you’re used to only the finest Egyptian cotton sheets and $20 drinks – a Las Vegas Spring Break may be for you! While there’s no question you could very easily find LOTS of ways to entertain yourself for 24 hours straight (daytime pool parties / celeb parties, and after-parties) the Playboy Club, World-class shows, incredible DJs and nightclubs (wow, this is starting to sound pretty good) you could probably spend your Spring Break somewhere (anywhere) else, and still have enough money left over to buy a brand new car!

But maybe that’s not completely fair… It is possible to have a great Vegas Spring Break experience without melting your credit card. Bottomless drinks, and midnight buffets FTW. Plus, booking your hotel in advance can save you some serious money – and there are usually some good mid-week deals to be had if you ask for the cheaper rooms when you call.

Plus – If you meet the love of your life, you can have that Star Trek themed wedding you always wanted, and Elvis can marry you! (But don’t worry if you sober up and realize you made a mistake – it’s just as easy to get a divorce!)

Miami – South Beach

South Beach Miami is one of the newest Spring Break spots to be seen in. When the sun drops, the neon starts glowing and the city heats up! With clubs that stay open until dawn, and beautiful beaches / weather – it sounds like a pretty strong Spring Break hot spot…

Still, South Beach is still the new kid on the block, and doesn’t have an established reputation yet for being a must-experience Spring Break destination.

One of the best things about a South Beach Spring Break, is that there are plenty of places to stay. Whether your wallet looks like a bible, or you’re a baller on a budget. South Beach has some excellent clubs, and enough choice that you could party all week, and never go to the same spot twice. Watch out though, it can get pricey with expensive drinks, high cover charges, and taxi charges.

South Beach is probably best known for its historic Art Deco district, lined with trendy cafes and restaurants – making South Beach a great place to see and be seen. Plus, if you’re lucky enough that your Spring Break falls during the right time in March, it might coincide with the world famous Winter Music Festival, which attracts internationally known DJs, artists, and record labels.

Ft. Lauderdale

Arguably the birthplace of the Spring Break tradition back in 1936, Ft. Lauderdale has a bit of a checkered relationship with Spring Break. In 1989, the town that became known as “Fort Liquordale” started enforcing stricter laws against public drinking. The mayor even went on ABC’s Good Morning America to tell students they are no longer welcome!

A Ft. Lauderdale Spring Break is great for those looking for a nostalgic taste of the past. While Ft Lauderdale seems to offer the same spring break benefits of destinations like Panama City Beach or Miami, it literally IS like going on your grandparent’s Spring Break… since this is probably where they went back the 30’s! (Kinda creepy, right?)

Daytona Beach

A Daytona Spring Break is great for those looking for a more laid back, beach Spring Break experience. There are usually a few concerts and live performances during the middle of March at the larger bars and hotels on the beach. Plus you can expect the typical contests, giveaways, and corporate sponsored events during the daytime.

Daytona Beach is also close enough to Disney World, Seaworld, and Universal Studios if there’s not enough action happening during the day to keep you entertained. Plus, there’s the Daytona International Speedway, and the Kennedy Space Center nearby.

So… if you want your Spring Break to be a series of day trips to other places (because there’s not much happening where you are) then Daytona should be high on your list!

Daytona Beach was actually home to the very first MTV Spring Break back in 1986… But they’ve never been back… ever.

So that pretty much covers the most popular domestic US Spring Break destinations… but we can’t forget about other hot spots like Cancun, Acapulco, the Bahamas, Negril etc. Stay tuned… we’ll cover that in our Spring Break Destinations (Part 2).

You know you’re gonna have an EPIC Spring Break in Panama City Beach, Florida. After all, it’s the “Spring Break Capital of the World“, plus Panama City Beach is known as having the “World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”… So what EXACTLY makes Panama City Beach such an awesome place to spend your Spring Break…

Well, here’s 10 reasons…

Beach!

One of the most appealing things about a Panama City Beach Spring Break is the endless sugar white sandy beaches. If you don’t have a drink your hand and your ass in the sand – you’re not doing it right!

Sunshine!

Another reason the Panama City Beach Spring Break experience is so popular – is the long days full of endless sunshine… Clear blue skies, not a cloud in sight – and a warm. tropical breeze

Flip Flops!

Beach – check. Sunshine – check. Now you just need your flip flops and you’re almost all set for an awesome Spring Break. (If you need snow boots – you’re definitely in the wrong place!)

Bikinis!

Definitely a Panama City Beach Spring Break essential. Ladies, you probably spent months working on getting those killer abs – so show them off! Plus, what Spring Break would be complete without the daily bikini contests on the beach?!

Awesome DJs!

Spring Break in Panama City Beach isn’t just about going to the best parties and clubs on the beach, and having the time of your life… Wait, that’s EXACTLY what it’s all about – and that means World class DJs spinning all day and night!

Beer Pong!

Hopefully this goes without saying…

Party!

It’s kinda what makes Panama City Beach Spring Break so phenomenal… from the largest nightclub in the USA, to amazing hotels with awesome bars & clubs on the property (like the Sandpiper Beacon & Tiki Bar) we know how to party (responsibly)!

Palm Trees!

They go hand-in-hand with the white sandy beach, endless warm sunshine, clear blue skies, tropical cool breeze, and ice cold drinks to somehow make the experience complete… Welcome to paradise!

Beer!

You didn’t come to Panama City Beach to drink juice all week (well, maybe as a mixer) but as long as you drink responsibly – there are plenty of drink specials to be found, plus it’s kind of a requirement for Beer Pong after all!

Watersports!

One of the benefits of coming to Panama City Beach for your Spring Break is that you get to play in the stunning emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. From Jet Ski rides to Parasailing, Weenie rides, to stand up paddle boarding – it’s one more advantage to Spring Break on the World’s most beautiful beaches!

Country singer Luke Bryan will be returning to Panama City Beach, Fl during Spring Break 2012 to perform two FREE Concerts!

Panama City Beach seems to be a big part of Luke Bryan history: Spring Break With All My Friends was released during 2009. Then, Spring Break 2: Hangover Edition was released in 2010 – Both shot and filmed right here on the “World’s Most Beautiful Beaches”.

Luke Bryan first performed free Panama City Beach concerts during Spring Break in 2010, when he also filmed the music video for his smash hit single “It’s a Shore Thing” right here in Panama City Beach.

He had so much fun making his video, and his performances were so successful, he returned the following year, and left his mark on Spring Break 2011. After a huge performance in front of nearly 4,000 fans, event promoters were eager to plan a 4^th year – for Spring Break 2012.

Well apparently he’s hooked – and Spring Break 2012 in Panama City Beach will definitely be rocking again! The FREE Luke Bryan Spring Break 2012 Concerts will be held at Spinnaker Beach Club on March 13^th and 14^th.

“All my spring breaks were right here, so it’s fun to have a reason to come back, to have a good excuse,” said Bryan.

We’ve made this point before – but it’s SOOO true: You only get ONE Spring Break – so it’s important to GET IT RIGHT!

There’s a science to making sure all the elements of a perfect Panama City Beach Spring Break come together to make an AWESOME week, to keep you going until the next one comes around….

Did we miss something? Tell us below!

Spring Break History: Once Upon a Time…

Don’t worry; this isn’t a boring Spring Break history lesson. We know you have enough classes, lectures and assignments already – this is nowhere near as lame. To appreciate the party fully, it’s important you know where it all began…

600 AD 

Depending how far you want to go back, you could argue that Spring Break all started with the ancient Greeks and Romans. Those guys knew how to party! Let’s face it… what’s more comfortable than wearing togas all day? Historically, the arrival of Spring (the season of fertility) was celebrated by honoring the gods of wine; Dionysus and Bacchus. So you know there were some EPIC ancient hangovers!

But it might be more appropriate show your appreciation by raising your shot glass to a swimming coach from Colgate University, NY.

1936

Sam Ingram takes his swimming team to Fort Lauderdale Florida for a training session.

1938 – mid 60’s

Ft. Lauderdale recognizes a marketing opportunity to encourage swimmers to return each year. The tradition of the ‘College Coaches’ Swim Forum’ is born.

1959

TIME Magazine releases an article titled “Beer & the Beach” (“It’s not that we drink so much,” noted one attendee, “it’s that we drink all the time.”).

1961

The first Spring Break themed movie is released called “Where the Boys Are” starring George Hamilton.

1970’s

Thanks to a shift in people’s attitudes during the seventies, the Spring Break you’d recognize today begins to form; it’s all about drinking, and getting your groove on…

1985

Hollywood’s second Spring-Break-themed movie is released, and is ingeniously named “Spring Break”.

1986

MTV launches its very first Spring Break special from Daytona Beach, Florida.

1989

The town that had become known as “Fort Liquordale” started to enforce stricter laws against public drinking. The mayor goes on ABC’s Good Morning America to tell students they are no longer welcome.

1991

“Break Away” forms out of a program at Vanderbilt University offering students alternative Spring Break experiences – including volunteer works based around varying social issues. Perfect for anyone who hates to party and have a good time

1990’s

New destinations begin to reach out to the Spring Break crowd, including South Padre Island in Texas and Palm Springs in California. Even international destinations, such as Cancun, Acapulco, and the Bahamas begin to promote themselves as Spring Break destinations.

2000

MTV makes Panama City Beach FL the official home to Spring Break for the first time.

2001

MTV returns to the home of the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches following a hugely successful 2000.

2005

The third time MTV makes Panama City Beach home – adding its reputation of being the “Spring Break capital of the World”.

2008

MTV returns to Panama City Fl for the third time. Complete with live performances from 50 Cent, LL Cool J, DJ Skribble, Paramore, and more.

2011

Panama City Beach Fl continues to build on its reputation as the undisputed Spring Break capital of the World by hosting the largest volume of Spring Breakers to date, with the Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort continuing to lead the way.

The popularity of Panama City Beach as a Spring Break destination is expected to grow in 2012.

Is it Better to Book Your Spring Break Direct With a Hotel or use an Online Travel Company?

There’s no question about it… your Spring Break is a big deal.

Actually, it’s kinda HUGE. You know, like, Arnold in the 80s big…

So you want to make sure you get it right, and have a LEGENDARY Spring Break experience you can tell your kids all about (when they’re old enough of course).

So what’s the BEST way to book your Spring Break vacation, and make sure it lives up to (heck, exceeds) your expectations?

Well that’s a little trickier – since it depends on YOUR personal preferences about cost/convenience/value for money etc.

Reading this article will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of booking with online travel companies, and help you get a better understanding of your own priorities.

Spring Break Travel Companies – Pros & Cons

There’s no shortage of online booking sites out there who package everything up for you in a nice neat bundle, and for a little extra cost– they will probably even put a pretty little bow on top.

Convenience

OK, if you’re just looking for a ‘quick-fix” and don’t really have a lot of time to do your own research, then this is a check-one-and-done solution. Or, if your group is kinda lazy, and somehow (although you’re not quite sure how it happened) you ended up in charge of planning everyone’s Spring Break, then this might seem like a pretty tempting solution.

Package Deals

It’s not uncommon for online booking agents to partner with a small selection bars / restaurants / clubs / stores and other places you might not otherwise hear about. By booking with one of these Travel Companies, you might get offered “exclusive” discounts/free entry into some these places, and end up trying something you might not have otherwise done.

Expensive

Let’s say you finally found a package that looks good, AND fits your budget – you’re all set, right? Kind of… Remember that a Spring Break Travel Company is ultimately a middle-man. Not only is the hotel/bar/attraction making money – the tour operator isn’t doing it out of the goodness of their heart. You need to accept that they are taking a cut too. (It is worth mentioning that they may get cheaper rates by booking in bulk – but are you sure those cheaper rates being passed on to you?) Double-check by contacting businesses directly and asking for their prices for the same dates / group size etc. (Most will have a website and/or free-phone number).

TIP: Make sure you watch out for any sneaky hidden fees, booking fees, cleaning fees, nonrefundable deposits, etc. If you EVER see an asterisk (*) be sure to see what it’s all about! Hidden fees like these can add up quick, and when it’s all over with wind up costing you more than if you had just booked direct.

Limited Selection

Spring Break Travel Companies typically only have access to a limited number of partners in destinations they work with. It’s worth taking a little time to do some research about those places before you book. After all, they might not be the best options at that destination. For example, imaginary tour operator ‘Super-Star-Tours’ offers free entry all week into ‘Club-Super-Duper’ for everyone that books their Spring Break package through them… Sounds great right? Yeah, so long as ‘Club-Super-Duper’ isn’t actually super crappy.

Experts? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Experts

Hello, my name is Peggy...

It’s inevitable… Someone in your group will probably have a specific question about your hotel, or even a general question about the destination. Chances are, when you contact your online Travel Company, you’re talking to someone in a call center (likely out of state, and possibly even out of the country) who simply doesn’t have the answers to your questions (a ‘Peggy’). Booking direct with a hotel on the other hand, guarantees you will speak to someone who works there, lives there, and will be able to give you some helpful, local insight.

Uh Oh! Problems…

Hopefully the only ‘problems’ you have on Spring Break are deciding who to flirt with, and how cold your beer is. BUT as we all know, life-happens and you might run into a problem with your room size / type / view etc. There’s any number of things that could potentially go wrong. If you booked with an online Travel Company then good luck in having your concerns heard by the hotel. You will have to contact the company you made the booking through, and hope they can resolve the issue for you. Which could be more frustrating than realizing the chick you’ve been talking to for the past half hour has been sat next to her boyfriend the entire time.

The Alternative

Luckily for you, the alternative is just as simple, and only requires one skill… One, which you’re probably an expert at already… Google.

Yep, it’s really that simple! All you need to do is search for whatever you’re looking for, kinda like…

Spring Break Hotels on the beach with a Bar

Or whatever – and check it out for yourself. It won’t take you long – and it’s not hard. It’s gonna be SOOOO much more fun spending an hour or so planning the Spring Break trip of a lifetime, than an hour sat in a boring lecture.

So, What Did We Learn?

The choice between booking your Spring Break with an online Travel Company, and doing some research yourself really boils down to your priorities. If you want a quick-fix, simple solution, and have a little extra money to throw around and not worry too much about getting the biggest bang for your buck – Online Travel Agents can seem like an attractive option.

If you have a little more time to plan your Spring Break, then you might prefer doing some research to find out where the best places to stay, eat, party, shop etc. are. Plus, if you think getting value for money is cool, and enjoy having extra cash in your pockets (so you can do more fun stuff), as well as avoiding any hassles when you arrive, then booking direct with a hotel is the way to go.

Something To Think About…

Spring Break is about so much more than just shopping around for the cheapest price.  Spring Break is, by its very nature, an EPIC experience. With so many things that could go wrong with a booking, you might want to stick with the “tried and true” (booking direct) and make sure you get what you bargained for.

Spring Break Tip: Don’t Forget the Sunscreen!

Spring Break means a break from a lot of things… boring classes, looming deadlines, difficult assignments, double-shifts at work, nagging bosses, cold weather and a bunch of other equally dull stuff. But it’s not a break from common sense – or at least it shouldn’t be.

The most popular Spring Break destinations are almost exclusively all on beaches, in warmer climates… Like Panama City Beach Fl, Daytona Beach, Miami, South Padre, Acapulco etc.

Apart from bikinis, 6 packs and palm trees, what do these places all have in common? You guessed it… sunshine – and LOTS of it.

For the most part, that’s a GREAT thing… and the more sunshine, the better! And with so much going on all day, like Bikini Contests, Booty Shakin’ Contests, endless watersports, and beach volleyball tournaments it can be easy to forget where you are. Still, it’s well worth taking 5 minutes every so often to reapply some sunscreen, and there’s plenty of good reasons:

The Lobster Boy Look

This just doesn’t work… on anyone. It looks painful, and if you’ve ever been there before, then you KNOW it hurts. Guys – no girl goes home bragging about how they hooked up with Lobster Boy during Spring Break. Luckily for you it’s easy to avoid… just wear some sunscreen!

Oompa Loompa Chick

Girls, neon orange isn’t a good look. 5 minutes watching Jersey Shore, or The real Housewives of Orange County should be enough to convince you of that. Unless you just finished an internship at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, there’s really no excuse.

The Big ‘C’

Sorry to get all serious on you for a second, but it’s a simple fact. Applying sunscreen throughout the day prevents your skin from prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause skin cancer. It’s so simple to avoid any problems though… Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

And finally, just in case those reasons weren’t enough to convince you – here’s something to think about:

She looks like she was having a good time…