Cancun is a top destination for college students on spring break. Between premiere access to the sea, ancient ruins and booming nightlife, it’s no wonder this area attracts so many 20-somethings every year. Here’s what you should know for your Cancun spring break.

Vibrant Nightlife


With more than 200 bars and clubs in the most populated part of Cancun, you won’t have to travel far from your vacation rentals to find a party. A Cancun spring break wouldn’t be complete without a night at Senior Frogs or Coco Bongo, or one of the many other famous clubs in the area. Since cover charges tend to be low, you’ll want to bar-hop all night long, or you can hop on a booze cruise. A bonus is that the drinking age here is only 18.

Daytime To-Dos


There’s a lot to do during the day, assuming you’re not going to sleep it away after a night of partying. Fat Tuesdays, which was popularized by MTV, is a daytime party spot with loud, popular music blaring. Several hotels and vacation rentals here have poolside bars, too, so you won’t have to venture far to party.

Cancun also allows you to drink on the beach, so pack a cooler and head out for a day in the sun. While you’re lounging, you may want to get in on a volleyball tournament or beach contest.

If you want to explore everything the area has to offer, book a day trip to Talum to see the Mayan ruins, or to the Temple of Kulucan. Or, explore Cancun’s coral reef, the second largest in the world, by snorkeling or scuba diving. There are also opportunities to swim with the dolphins.

Travel Tips


The currency in Mexico is the peso, and since your dollar goes a long way here, you’ll want to exchange your money upon arrival. Also note that the exchange rate will fluctuate daily, but it’s almost always in your favor.

Don’t forget your passport! You’ll be traveling to Mexico, which is a separate country from the U.S. You’ll be given a tourist card to fill out at the airport, and it’s important to have this card on you at all times during your trip. At the end of your trip, the card will be terminated.

Even though a lot of people here speak English, since it’s such a popular tourist destination, it’s a good idea to know a few conversational sentences in Spanish, or to have an app on your phone that will help you out in a pinch. This is especially important if you’re going to sign up for a tour outside of the city.