Best College Spring Break Destinations and Vacations 2013

Spring break is as much a college ritual as final exams for students ready to make a break for sand and surf or even a hammer and nails.

Here are some great locations to spend your Spring break, whether you are in for some endless days of partying and sunning or eager for ways to help improve your community.

What's a Spring break without bikinis and suntan lotion. Here are some fabulous spots to donn your suit and hit the beach. Be prepared for lots of company, but, hey . . . that's why you're going!

Jamaica, Punta Cana and Cancun, Mexico are popular party spots. Some organizations, such as Sunsplash tours, offers thrifty students the opportunity to earn free travel by selling trips to their fellow students. See www.sunsplashtours.com/salesreps/TravelFree.cgi for more information.

Here's a couple of other destinations:

Marco Island, Florida

If your break is in April, Marco Island is a great place to pitch a beach umbrella with an average April high of 79 degrees F and only 2" of rain. If you want to add adventure to your vacation, you can take in some water sports at Marco Island Water Sports or Off the Hook Day Adventures. Captain Ron's Awesome Everglades Adventure is a fun way to spend an afternoon.

South Padre Island, Texas

Join thousands of cerebral students on this Texas hot spot for a wild and wonderful Spring Break. South Padre Island, on the southern Texas tip, is home to gorgeous beaches and warm waters and plenty of hot bods. This Island, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguana Madre Bay will host several Spring Break parties including the huge Coca-Cola Beach bash at the Grand Beach Resort.

Volunteer Spring Breaks are a great alternative to a traditional vacation and are an increasingly popular way for college students to give back to the community for helping out. There are dozens of organizations sponsoring trips or soliciting much needed muscle and brain power for needed projects. Here's a few below.

Moab's Skinny Tire Event

March 2013

Moab, Utah

This cycling events winds through the awe-inspiring read rock arches, canyons and mountains in Moab, Utah. This event covers the Slickrock Trail, goes through the Arches National Park and oversees the Colorado River. This event is fund raiser for cancer research and survivors. The event is designed to "uplifts, reward and rejuvenate on many levels - physically with the cycling challenges, emotionally and mentally with shared stores from others about their cancer situations, losses, etc. and spiritually . . . "

Canyonlands Half Marathan

March 2013

Moab, Utah

Runners have an opportunity to give back to the community by participating in this half marathan. The proceeds benefit races to charities and non-profits and a scholarship fund. This marathan also strives to reduce the environmental impact by participating in various green initiatives.

Habitat for Humanity

This organization sponsors building projects across the Unitied States as well as Global Village trips where volunteers are encouraged to join with people of different cultures to help build a global village to help upraise a deserving community.

A Broader View Volunteers Corp

This organization offers global volunteer opportunities including sites in Cameroon, Costa Rica, Nepal, Peru and the Philippines.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

March - April 2013

Washington DC

Bring your family along for this fun Spring Break location with plenty to keep Mom, Dad and the siblings busy. Washington is awash in delightful shades of delicate and fragrant pink blossoms for this event. Take part in the Pink Tie Party Fund Raiser gala where 25 top chefs cook up custom cherry-inspired dishes. There will be a silient auction. Additional events including the National Cherry Bloosom Festival Family Day, Arboetum Tour, Bike Tours, Cultural Performances and Cherry Blossom River Teas featuring English tea service during a yacht cruise.

There are a number of party cruises. You can cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to several ports including the Bahamas or Puerto Rico. Spring Break Cruises offes a 6 day cruise to Freeport, Bahamas on their 500 ft cruise ship with over 1,200 fellow partiers. Note, if you want to dish the college crowd for your break, you probably want to look elsewhere. Over 90% of your fellow ship mates will be college age folks.

Seems like there are more Spring break deals out than there are colleges.  Consider what you want to do during your break -- relax, party, hike, etc. Check around and compare prices to make sure you are getting the best deal. If you book over the internet, make sure you review the pictures of the property.