1. Travel

Spring Break 2012

By , About.com Guide

All the information you need about spring break 2012, including the 2012 spring break hot spots, what to do, where to stay, how to get there -- like spring break deals -- and the rest of the dope. Ideas on gay spring break and on volunteering for an alternative spring break, too.
  1. Spring Break 101
  2. Where to Go for Spring Break 2012
  3. Volunteering: Alternative Spring Break Ideas
  4. Getting There
  1. Spring Break and Passports
  2. Spring Break Packages and Tour Operators
  3. Spring Break in Mexico
  4. Spring Break Safety

Spring Break 101

MTV Spring Break in Cancun

The mothership: Spring Break 101 is a hub of info pointing you toward figuring it all out. Get started with spring break planning here.

Where to Go for Spring Break 2012

Parasailing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Photo © Kathleen Crislip

Where's the action for spring break 2012? Want to volunteer, party hearty, hit the slopes? Learn all about the best opportunities for any of it with a list of top spring break 2012 hot spots, a list of great spring break volunteer opportunities, gay spring break idea, the best ski resorts in North America for spring break, and more. Enjoy the planning!

Volunteering: Alternative Spring Break Ideas

Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Volunteers in Mississippi

Students can seek alternative spring break sun and sand with i-to-i, United Way is working in urban America, and non-profit housebuilder Habitat for Humanity is again seeing a swell of students turning up to pound nails in storm-slammed Gulf Coast communities. You can build your own alternative spring break ideas, too, like rebuilding national park trails or finding the perfect volunteer match near you.

Getting There

Qantas plane on the Sydney runway - c Kathleen Crislip

Wherever you're headed for spring break 2012, you can find deals, discounts and packages -- an entire industry is devoted to spring break travel, in fact. Avoid spending all of those precious spring break bucks on the travel alone!

Spring Break and Passports

Have passport, will travel - (c) Kathleen Crislip

Passport rules requiring 'em for air travel back from Mexico and the Caribbean (excepting US territories) may seem limiting to spring break plans, and it takes up to two months to get a passport (though you can rush a passport quicker). If you don't have one, know that lots o' other students don't, either -- meaning there'll be action aplenty happening in spring break destinations not requiring passports (some very cool options, too).

Spring Break Packages and Tour Operators

MTV Spring Break in Cancun

Companies offering spring break travel through spring break packages and, sometimes, spring break tours, are largely capitalizing on airfare buys -- though the company may seem like an escorted tour service, it probably isn't. What they are, though, are easy -- and often good deals (though you may be able to do better by finding your own spring break deal): find out what spring break packages, spring break travel and spring break tours are all about and compare the deals!

Spring Break in Mexico

Palapas on the Puerto Vallarta Beach - c Kathleen Crislip

Ahhh, Mexico. That sunny land just south of the border is home to some of the sweetest beaches and most majestic mountains in North America, and it's a great place to get started on a life of travel. It's not especially spendy to hit the sugary sands of Mexico for spring break, and you can drive into Mexico without a passport if need be. Get the whole skinny on Mexico travel for student travelers, backpackers and spring breakers.

Spring Break Safety

Girl in Spring Break Tshirt

Don't let safety concerns keep you from traveling where and when you want to -- spring break is a great time to get a taste of what the whole travel thing is all about. Be prepared and savvy, and be ready to enjoy.

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