Cancun Spring Break Destination Advice

Located on the Yucatan Peninsula & on the beautiful Caribbean, Cancun is absolutely the biggest, wildest, and overall best college spring break destination in the World. Cancun Spring Break Travel is not only amazing, it is absolutely first class in all ways.

Join over 100,000 college spring breakers basking in the Caribbean sun on Cancun's white sand beaches with crystal clear blue water - the stuff movies are made of. MTV Spring Break films in Cancun every year for a reason - the best of the best!

The greatest thing about Cancun is that there is more action, stuff to do, and clubs there than any other college spring break destination. From MTV casting events, to Paris Hilton cameos, this place is celebrity party central for college spring breakers.

If you didn't catch Nick Cannon's live tapings at The City nightclub for MTV's Spring Break, you might have missed Three 6 Mafia, Akon, Mims, & more performing live on the main stage.

In Cancun, even the hotels are just that much nicer than you'd expect, the transportation system is dialed in 24 hours per day (just $.50 cents to go anywhere, per person, anytime), and the incredible 3000+ student open bar parties each night make all other destinations feel boring for spring break. Cancun, Mexico is the place to party for spring break.

Cancun was also specifically developed for tourism. It wasn't a city that had a nice beach, the beach WAS the destination. The water clarity is incredible: 125 feet of depth, you can see the ocean floor. The water temperature you can expect to be around 85 degrees, with white sandy beaches. The Travel Channel consistently ranks Cancun as the world's finest beach.

Cancun has several shopping centers that are continually being added onto and expanded. La Isla is lagoon side and the newest mall featuring exclusive restaurants & world-class shopping. The Forum mall is located at the party center and offers lots of dining options, and is home to Hard Rock Cafe, as well as Rain Forest Cafe, Coco Bongos, and Johnny Rockets. The Flamingo Plaza mall offers Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, Pat O'briens, and Bubba Gump Shrimp to name a few. Kulkulkan Plaza Mall is the largest mall in Cancun with over 100 retail clothing stores.

Cancun is an astonishingly gorgeous paradise created specifically as a playground of indulgence. Whatever happens in Cancun, stays in Cancun, so we don't have to tell you how crazy it can get. Cancun is undoubtedly going to be better than ever due to all the hotel upgrades after the hurricane two years past.

Some people are happy to do nothing more during the day than enjoy the phenomenal beaches and water, soaking up the sun after a long winter, frequenting beach bars and poolside parties when they have the inclination or energy. Others choose to take a day trip to the ancient Mayan ruins at Tulum or the Temple of Kukulcan at Chichen Itza, or a cruise through the lagoon mangrove jungle. Take a cruise from Cancun to the waters off of Cozumel, home to the second largest coral reef in the world. Go snorkeling or scuba diving and explore the largest dive site in the Western Hemisphere, or do the Swim with Dolphins at Isla Mujeres.

No matter how lazy or active you are during the day, nighttime is when Cancun comes to life. The clubs, like The City, Bulldogs, Senor Frogs, Basic, Dady'O and Coco Bongo, can entertain thousands with incredible light shows and energetic dance floors. The clubs will offer contests and stage shows to keep the party going all night. The party doesn't stop until the last person leaves! The major tour operators will have featured nights - these are the best parties, where the crowds will be huge and the dancing intense.

Cancun is a Spring Break paradise that offers everything you can imagine. You'll go home laughing with a tan, a Dos Equis mug, tons of memories, and probably a few fun secrets too!

1. Inquire whether they are members of the Better Business Bureau. You can check them out by going to their website, figuring out what state they are incorporated in (their mailing address) and then going to the Better Business Bureau's website and doing a search on them. You're looking for a clean or satisfactory report. By the way: it doesn't mean all that much... but it's far better than traveling with a tour company or travel agent that has an unsatisfactory report, right?
2. Avoid or beware of any claims of "Zero Complaints" with the BBB. The BBB doesn't rate companies as having "Zero Complaints". Businesses get either a satisfactory or unsatisfactory rating.
3. Another key accreditation (there are about 20 you can look at) is the ASTA, or American Society of Travel Agents. They have a code of ethics that their members must follow.
4. Watch the accreditations. There are about 20 that a company can obtain. Really, you just pay a fee, and you're in. That's not really the best way to determine if they are good or not.
5. If you are booking with a travel agent, check ASTA, but also: ask them whom they are using for their tour company. Check BOTH out.
6. Don't let anyone push you into a hotel property too hard. Someone pushing too expensive of a hotel property? Call Inertia - we are Cancun experts, that' s the bottom line. We know all the hotels in and out to best suite your individual group needs. We don't try to book everyone into "one" hotel property, as that is inappropriate.

1. Sniff 'em out. Get a friend and call the company's office at the same time. Find out what happens when you do. Are they using call waiting (might be a home office), or do they have a professional phone system, where they can put you on hold? This matters, because it indicates financial stability and is good sign that they can provide you a good trip.
2. Ask questions. Ask a lot. Ask about clubs, parties, is your hotel guaranteed, etc. If your questions are answered fluidly without problem, that's a good thing... but if they are stumbling around, they might be rookies.
3. Ask for all prices in writing before you book. Do NOT book with a Company that cannot guarantee you no last minute "fuel or security surcharges" of upwards of $40-$65 per person --- it will piss your friends off, and companies that do that are both unacceptable, and unethical (in fact this is also fraudulent in most cases, but it doesn't stop a heck of a lot of businesses from doing it.)
4. Do not book based strictly on "low price." Yes, we know you are a student, and want a great price - but a super low price will equate to super low service, and lots of disappointments. As you've probably heard before, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. Pay attention to the Free included meals & food. You need to get the restaurants and meal selections guaranteed in writing prior to travel. Inertia only uses marquee, first class student friendly venues for our food like Carlos' n' Charlies, Senor Frogs, Outback Steakhouse, Pat O'briens, and other name brand chains. Having to eat a disgusting nightclub buffet isn't much of a deal, so pay attention to the food if you think it represents a value like we do.
6. Finally, ask for an email address of a hotel or property manager at the place you are looking to book, so you can independently check out & verify if this company actually has rooms/condos booked to accommodate your group. If they cannot, or will not, they might be falsely advertising something that they cannot deliver.

Cancun rocks cuz:

• Any week, there are students there. If your spring break isn't peak week, this is the place to go.
• It's still the #1 spring break destination in the world
• The water and the beach, stupid! The water is clear over 125 feet deep, and bath water warm.
• The weather simply rocks. 85-90 degrees year round.
• American restaurants & food with their familiarity.
• Open bar, all you can drink parties during spring break
• Student friendly, they're ready for you & cater to Spring Breakers.
• MTV Spring Break always shows up
• The clubs are some of the absolute best in the entire world in both size, & quality of experience from good DJ's to huge light shows.

Cancun "ain't all that" cuz':

• The price -- it's not the lowest cost destination for spring break in terms of spending money.
• The clubs are open bar, but require a minimum tip of $1 USD per drink. It's not bad if you know about it up front, but not if you do know. Bring a $20 out each night and you're straight
• That's it. Don't be fooled, Cancun is #1 for a reason.

Girl to Guy Ratio:

Girls: 40%
Guys: 60%

Ladies & Gentleman, it DOES matter in Cancun. Why? Cancun is huge fool, that's why! If you want the Oasis, sweet, the pool & beach rock. But....it's about a 45 minutes bus ride to the party center where all the clubs are....so that's not cool. The places to really stay are up by the "party center" which is the area up by Dady O', Coco Bongo, BullDogs, and The City nightclubs.

Sure, most of those hotels in good locations cost more...but if you can walk everywhere, think of the time & aggravation that will save you. People forget how much they've paid once they get there, so try to talk your group into spending more than they really wanted....you'll be glad you talked them into it once you arrive in Cancun.

Please, don't buy into the "we won't be in the hotel much anyway." You will. If you don't have hot water, if it takes forever to get someplace, or the staff seems shady, your friends will complain to you. Everyone forgets what they've paid once they arrive. Almost all of the hotels have significantly upgraded post-hurricane damage, so if you haven't been there for awhile, expect the white sand beach to be nearly 10x's as wide as it once was.

In Cancun, everyone chills by their pool during the day...while the beach is busy, it's not like US destinations where the beach party IS the party.

Really quick, we'll recommend a few. This list is NOT exhaustive, but based on location and being on spring or summer break, these are where to stay: (if you're not a spring breaker, avoid these!)

Have your birth certificate OR your passport ready. This process to get through customs will take about 30 minutes, so be mentally prepared for this. Bags take forever to come out as well, allow about another 30 minutes for that, then tack on another 30 minutes for everyone to load the bus. Finally, it will take about 30 minutes to get to your hotel, and another 30 minutes for check in.

In other words, from the moment you step off of the plane, to the moment that you set your bags on your bed in your room at your hotel, it will take 2 1/2 to 3 hours, give or take a few. Being prepared to be patient will make you and your group have a much better start to their vacation. Cancun is not in the States, and depending on your hotel choice, their level of service might not be what you'd expect.

Buy one. Buy the best one offered. While lying out $200-$250 right away sucks, these packages are time-tested, and offer a good value. We don't care if you're traveling with us or not, you should buy one no matter what. Of you're smart, you'll pre-purchase one to get the best pricing.

This package will include a ticket for a different club each night (Inertia's package there is straight up kick-ass good, only the best clubs are used) for an open bar, all you can drink party from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. each night. You'll also get a party yacht "booze" cruise on a 100 foot catamaran over to an island 20 minutes off the coast of Cancun called Isla Mujeres. This side trip includes an all you can eat buffet, as well as an open bar, all you can drink party for almost 4 hours.

In Cancun, club cover charges typically run $40 to as a high as $60 per night, per person, for entrance to these all inclusive parties. With the booze cruise costing alone, it doesn't take a mathematician to know that this represents a good value.

The small downside of having a pre-set club every night is largely overcome with the party package by the huge upside of it ending disagreements within your group where to go each night, as well as knowing that you'll be going to a set, amazing club packed with college students. Party packages are so popular because they make sense. Coupling this option with our Free ta' Eat! Diner Program means less money you'll need to spend while onsite in Cancun.

Also, once you do, don't think that "you're done spending money" because this is Cancun, and tipping rules service there.

Guys: Bring a minimum of $600 USD or don't go.
Girls: Bring a minimum of $400 USD or don't go.

Why more for the Guys? You gotta tip the bartenders like a rock star, EVEN IF it is open bar, just to get a drink. Then, you have a lady friend in tow, and you are spending $5 per two drinks. Sorry, this is Cancun, and everything is expensive here!

Hopefully, your vacation package includes this. If it does not, do NOT buy it from the Mexicans hawking (selling) it inside the airport by baggage claim. Buy it outside from Best Day Tours, VI Travel, or MagnaCharters..you can find a rep outside....pay no more than $30 roundtrip.

All Inertia Tours packages to Cancun include round trip transfers through our travel affiliate partners - so don't buy one. If you're confused where to go, ask ANY American staff member from any spring break tour company where you need to be going, and they can assist you. The staff from spring break tour companies will have on bright shirts, with staff badges on.

Some properties need a credit card open, or a cash deposit to insure against any damages. It's important to just keep all of your receipts, this is Mexico after all.

Remember, tipping the bell captain/boy is a must here. Not doing so can result in later theft from your room! $1 USD per day per room PER PERSON for the maid is fine, and you'll get those extra towels you need so badly once you start tipping.

Also, be patient...these hotels are super busy. Immediately be friendly to the hotel front desk clerk & security at the hotel.

Want to be a rockstar at your hotel?

INERTIA TIP: Want to have less problems bringing back girls/guys at night that aren't staying at your hotel? At about 9 p.m, go downstairs, and (you are of course super prepared) get all the front security and front desk hotel staff gifts you've brought them. Tell them you appreciate them, that this is amazing, and you want to show them how excited you are to be in Cancun. Bringing about 8 t shirts from you school that are brand new with the tags on, Large in size...you'll be a VIP right away.

Remember, these people make less than $15 USD per day. You are "tipping them" a full days pay. Imagine yourself in their shoes when you show up asking them to bend the hotel rules & let you bring an unregistered guest back in when you have been so kind right away? This works. Bribing people at the front door can work, but it can also get you blacklisted into a full on blockage. If you are gonna try that, MAKE THE TIP COUNT...a $50 USD tip is to be expected to bend the rules, and you need to have it folded up inside of a newspaper so it is not to be noticed. Be alert! Our idea is much more effective!!!

Inquire at check in about safety deposit boxes. You'll probably be required to put down a cash deposit for the key to the box, but use it for your passports/birth certificates/drivers licenses AND TOURIST VISAS (you won't need these again until you leave...as well as any cash or travelers checks you have.

Carry no more than $80 USD at a time. You can change your money at any Casas de Cambio (change houses) located up and down the strip - avoid changing money at the hotel. Funny thing is, you can get the BEST exchange rate by using your ATM card - there is no fee to do so either, REGARDLESS of where you bank! Also, Senor Frogs & Carlos n' Charlies give kick ass exchange rates too, but you have to buy something.

QUICK TIP: Write down on a small piece of paper PROPINA and put it under clear ash tray by the phone. Propina means "Tip" in Mexico, you might as well get used to this fast. $1 USD per day per room PER PERSON is an ABSOLUTE MUST, it will a.) make your room super clean b.) facilitate you getting extra towels, called Toyas (spelled here incorrectly as you would speak it) - it means towels. and c.) the maids not railing (swiping) all of your stuff in your room while you are away! People who don't tip can get robbed!

Think about it...if you guys are tipping, and the other rooms are not, who's shit are going to get railed, yours, or theirs? That's an easy one. Mexicans are generally very honest, but theft is problematic at the lower, non-American hotel chains. The maid don't make crap for money.

While we understand your need for a "romantic" spring break walk at night, "just say no" because...if you happened to be boinking on the beach at night, the locals can a.) rob you b.) rape you or c.) the damn hotel security will threaten to take you to jail (they can't by the way, the beach IS federal property, not the hotels, but anyway)...so...you're naked, the locals take your clothes (which might have your money in it) and off they go. So, stay off of it at night :-) If you have to walk back to your hotel room naked we'd guess you might be quite embarrassed.

Also, be aware that there are strong rip tides & currents that can carry you out to sea if you are staying beachfront with a eastern facing room on the vertical leg of the infamous number 7 island of Cancun, since your beach is on the open Caribbean sea with no barriers.

If you are staying on the north facing, or horizontal leg of the number 7 of the island, the beach for swimming is simply spectacular since Isla Mujeres (Island) serves as a barrier...you'll have gentle waves, literally no current. Go for a dip in front of the Fiesta Americana Grand, ranked by the Travel Channel as the world's best swimming beach. They even have a floating dock / raft you can swim out to that's in front of the hotel.

The water is clear to about 100 feet deep, and is crystal clear bright blue.

Stay in groups. Be realistic...people hook up on spring break, it happens (wow, are you surprised)...just have one person you are with as a buddy that knows where you are going. We know people lie because they don't want others to know that they are hooking up, but seriously....just have one person that you trust to tell. If you ARE the buddy, don't make moral judgments that might cause your hooking up friend to lie to you. However, if someone is so intoxicated that they don't know what's up...help them please.

Guys too, guys can get wasted and rolled for their money at night. ALWAYS KEEP 6 PESOS IN YOUR POCKET...that's your money home. The bus, or Ruta in Spanish, only costs 6 Pesos, or $.60 cents to go anywhere.

Check out the Inertia Tours! Blog on Myspace for more details...

http://www.myspace.com/inertiatours

Ride it in groups, particularly the ladies. You can drink on the bus, which is cool. It costs 6 PESOS or $.60 cents to go anywhere. You can hop on the Ruta or bus about every 200 yards, which is a big benefit to going to Cancun. They run 24 hours per day, but at night it can take forever to wait for a bus.

Are expensive...expect about 20 Pesos or $2.00 USD per person per way. Girls, DO NOT TAKE CABS ALONE under any circumstances.

Geography: Mexico is the third largest nation in Latin America (after Brazil and Argentina) covering 1,972,550 square kilometers. The country has a wide variety of terrain, from high rugged mountains and low coastal plains, to rainforests, high plateaus and desert. Various massive mountain ranges include the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west, the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east, the Cordillera Neovolcanica in the center and the Sierra Madre del Sur in the south. Lowlands are largely along the coasts and the Yucatan Peninsula. The interior country is high plateau. There are many rivers in Mexico, though few are navigable. Most are short and run from the mountain ranges to the coast. Cancun is located on the northeast point of the Yucatan Peninsula, 350 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.

Money: The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso. The rate of exchange against the US dollar fluctuates daily. Most hotels have a currency exchange desk, but you will get the best rates at banks and exchange houses. Mexican banks are generally open from 9am to 2:30pm weekdays. Exchange houses are open longer and provide faster service. Banks will give cash advances in pesos, for a fee, if you have a major credit card. Most restaurants, bars and shops accept major credit cards. You may want to notify your credit card company in advance to be sure you are set up to access your card outside the country. ATM machines are available and most bank cards with Cirrus or Visa/Mastercard status can be used; check with your bank before you leave to be sure. Keep in mind the machines will dispense Mexican Pesos, not U.S. Dollars.

Language: Spanish is the official language of Mexico, spoken by nearly all. About 8% of the population speaks an indigenous language; most of these people speak Spanish as a second language. Knowledge of the English language is increasing rapidly, especially among business people, the middle class, returned emigrants, and the young. In major travel destinations, such as Cancun, English is spoken in most shops, restaurants, and public places.

Documents: U.S. Citizens may use one of the following for entry into Mexico:

• Valid Passport: This is the most recommended document - secure and convenient.
• Certified Birth Certificate: (hospital certificate is not acceptable). A birth certificate must include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, date the birth record was filed, and seal or other certification of the official custodian of such records (usually the Department of Health Services in the city where you were born) along with a valid, state-issued photo ID.
• Very strict regulations govern international travel by minors into Mexico. Every minor must have a tourist card, proof of citizenship and sometimes other documents listed below.
• Minors traveling with both legal parents or guardians: nothing else is needed.
• Minors traveling unaccompanied or with anyone other than their legal parents or guardians: they must obtain an original notarized letter of permission signed by both parents.
• Minors traveling with only one parent: must have notarized written permission from the other parent.
• (Airlines will also require the name, address and phone of the person meeting the unaccompanied minor upon arrival in Mexico.)

In the case of deceased or divorced parents: legal proof must be carried to accept just one signature on the letter. This proof (death certificate, proof of sole custody etc.) can also be shown to a notary who can then notarize an Affidavit of Sole Custody form.

Non-US citizens should contact a Mexico Tourist office for more information.

Time Zone: Cancun is on Central Standard Time year round.

Transportation: Government certified taxis have a license with a photo of the driver and a taxi number prominently displayed. Most of them have a meter, although, more often than not, it is broken. Always choose your taxi, don't let the taxi choose you. Never share a taxi with strangers nor allow the driver to pick up additional passengers. Agree upon a price before you get into the taxi. Many drivers will ask you what you want to pay to get a sense of how street-smart you are. The doorman or front desk personnel at your hotel can help you with acceptable fares. The local bus system is the cheapest way to get around; it only costs 5 pesos (50 cents US) Buses come along every so many minutes so there is never too long of a wait and during spring break, the bus is an excellent way to meet new people! Getting off the bus can be a bit confusing. Stop buttons are usually located at different intervals on the side of the buses, and once you press the button, the bus driver will let you off at the next available stop. You can also ask the bus driver to let you off at a certain place if you are not sure of the location or call out "ALTO"! (this means STOP in Spanish!) when you are close to your destination.

Weather: Some like it HOT! During the day, temperatures range from the mid to high 80s, but the light ocean breeze makes the climate quite enjoyable. A message to those who worship the sun - WEAR THAT SUNSCREEN! The evening weather is a bit cool; it's nature's way of keeping the hot clubs from catching fire! Rain is very rare for the spring break season!

Dress Code: Technically, there isn't one in Cancun, but guys must wear a shirt into the clubs.

Electrical System: No worries, your blow dryers and clothes irons will work without adapters.

Tipping: Every dollar counts when you are a college student, but please don't forget to tip the people who are good to you: bartenders, waitresses, maids, bellboys.

Phone Calls: Collect phone calls to home are very expensive. The best way to call home is to purchase a Telmex calling card when you arrive. These cards are available at any convenience store or hotel shop; 30 pesos for 3 minutes; 50 pesos for 5 minutes; 100 pesos for 10 minutes. The cards can be used at the white Telmex pay phones by inserting the card. There is a language button on the phone that will allow you to receive instructions in English. If you are going to place a collect call, it is wise to check with the hotel operator before you call to verify what the charges will be. Calls made from the hotel can cost around $40 US for just a few minutes, so it is best to call people in the states from a pay phone and five them your number in Mexico. It is less expensive to call Mexico from the US. It's also best to have the hotel turn off your long distance privileges so that you know that your hotel phone bill will not incur an unexpected charge at the end of the week. The cheapest and easiest way to contact home is by email. Ask your Inertia representative on location for the closest CyberCafe or Internet service provider.

Prescription Drugs: Keep all medication with you at all times. Do not put it in with your checked luggage and keep it in the prescription bottle.

Vendors/Locals: Most stores are open from 10am to 10pm Monday thru Saturday. Some stores may close between 2pm and 4pm for the traditional siesta. Many convenience stores, including Wal-Mart stay open 24 hours as well. If you are bargain shopping, and you don't mind "haggling" for the best price, you will want to visit the Mexican Flea Markets. Be prepared to be bombarded, the locals will try to persuade you to look and buy their wares. Don't ever pay the first price they give you - They will try to rip you off! Bargain with the salesperson to get your best price.

Government: Mexico has a chief executive (president), a bicameral legislature, a judicial system with a Supreme Court, local and federal courts, and an administrative subdivision of 31 states and one federal district.