If you are a student travelers like myself, and faced with the pressing issue of choosing where to go for spring break well look no further. I can relate to having to choose between your friends and the location. If you’re like me you don’t want to miss out on the fun by ditching the group for an exotic drive down the baja coast, but at the same time you don’t want to be smothered by the over-populated tourist destination that is trashed-out and teeming with drunken college students. Two very conflicting problems, with few good solutions. With amazing nightlife, and a variety of options for the travel savvy student, Cancun is a welcomed exception to the cliché spring break experience.

I recommend staying in an all inclusive resort. While the bill may be originally hard to swallow, the payoff is well worth it. If you want to get any sleep at all I would stay out of the main hotel strip. The beaches are nicer, and the few swimming beaches are located on the north end. If you are planning on traveling here over spring break I recommend hitting up The City. The City is MTV’s club in the area, and while it can cost around 50 dollars for a cover charge, it is all you can drink, and defiantly the place to be on the right night. If you go on a night with a big headliner it will be more expensive and very crowded, but if you go on an off night you run a high chance of it being half empty (which takes away from the atmosphere).

I know that Cancun is famous for its clubs and fun, but there are many other hidden charms the city has to offer. Isal Mujeres (the woman’s island) for example, is a great day trip when you get sick of the crowded beaches. The island is a marine park, and offers good snorkeling and scuba trips. While much of the diving around Cancun was damaged by the hurricanes a few years back, it is still a worthy trip to take.

For those who are avid divers, I would recommend taking the trip to travel to Cozumel. This trip will take a whole day, but the diving is much better, and the reefs are in better condition. The other major tourist draws are the Mayan ruins. Both Tulum and Chitzen Itza are great areas to visit. While Chitzen Itza is much farther away, it has much more to see. It is a full day trip, the bus ride averaging about 3 hours each way, and on a warm day the ruins can reach sweltering heats, so take a hat and plenty of water, as the water in the area is not drinkable. On my first visit, visitors were allowed to climb the steps of the big pyramid, but after a tragic accident, people are no longer allowed to climb it. You can also find the normal activities, such as parasailing and jet skiing off of your beach for an additional price.

My advice to anyone traveling to this area is to make friends with the locals, especially if you are going to be visiting the clubs. They can often find you cheaper admission costs. Take the buses, they are fast and affordable. Also, tip, tip, tip! It does not have to be a lot, five bucks to the bartender (more if you are at your hotel), and they will take care of you. It is often cheaper to go to the bar in a small group, and let the bartender know that the tip is for the whole group, and afterward always go back to the same person. Most importantly however, is travel in groups, especially the girls. And watch where you’re walking, every year someone gets hit by a car, either by trying to cross traffic, of simply stumbling off the side walk, and trust me there is only one place worst than a Mexican hospital, and that’s a Mexican jail, so don’t mess with the police.