Even if you’ve never been to Cancun before, hopefully you are aware that Cancun has been a mecca for spring breakers for quite some time. Beautiful azure ocean vistas, soft white sand beaches, warm and sunny days perfect for tanning, and nearby bars and clubs for nighttime fun attract many vacationers during spring months, not just college students. If you are not into wild and crazy partying and still want to vacation in Cancun during the spring, it’s important to know where college spring breakers tend to stay so you can avoid experiencing a potentially disastrous vacation experience. If you like this kind of party ambiance, more power to you; read on and find out where to stay instead!
When is spring break exactly? According to Cancun resorts, spring break occurs anytime from mid-February through the end of April, with spring break peaks occurring during the month of March (I have found that starting the second weekend of March, resorts offer special live events with big name performers).
Companies offering spring break groups to college students tend to list the same resort choices year after year:
- Grand Oasis Cancun, or Grand Oasis Lite Cancun. This is party central every year for college students. This resort also consists of The Pyramid at Grand Oasis which is touted as a luxury all-inclusive, but college spring breakers generally cannot afford this price point so they stay at the cheaper part of this mega-resort in the Grand Oasis Cancun section. So, if you don’t want to expose yourself to wild partying, do not stay at The Pyramid section either since all amenities are shared. Since evening and late night partying/live music often happens at Grand Oasis Cancun, you might want to avoid staying at the resorts located next to this mega-resort–Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun to the north and Wyndham Grand Cancun to the south (this one used to be the Omni).
- Krystal Cancun. This is second choice for party central during spring break. Lots of students like this location since it is easy walking distance to all the popular bars and clubs for which Cancun is known (re. Coco Bongos, The City, Mandala, Dady’O, etc.). Avoid staying at Krystal Grand Cancun which is immediately adjoining Krystal Cancun.
- Occidental Tucancun. This is another popular option for spring breakers and is included in most spring break company’s resort choices. Hotel Casa Turquesa and Riu Palace Kukulkan are located on either side of this resort, so you may want to avoid those. Spring breakers have to take transportation to get to popular bars and clubs, but it is a cheaper alternative to the resorts closer to nighttime hot spots.
These three properties are spring break central locations, so decide for yourself if that is what you want on your vacation.
Spring breakers have also been known to stay at other Cancun resorts with cheaper price points like Riu Cancun. Actually, you can find college spring breakers at pretty much any all-inclusive resort, it’s just that companies do not sell travel packages including other resorts in the area. Many resorts state they do not accept spring breakers by enforcing age restrictions for check-in or by mandating large money deposits in case of breakages. Also, very rowdy guests may be asked to leave if they are completely out of control or disturbing other guests which is definitely not the case at popular spring break resorts.
Below is a documentary about the experience of several college spring breakers at the Oasis Grand Cancun done by Best Documentary. While I have never stayed at resorts known to be college spring break resort locations during this time of the year I have read some accounts of sights you might experience at these locations at this time of year including (besides public drunkenness) public urination and defecation, sex acts in pools and Jacuzzis, and of course everyone’s favorite–vomiting pretty much anywhere, even in pools. If you see a wheelchair being pushed around by resort staff know that someone is almost comatose from alcohol consumption (I’ve seen this at various resorts over the years, not just spring breakers or only at the above mentioned properties).
On that note, have fun while vacationing during spring break in Cancun!! What do you think, would you visit Cancun during this time of the year?