Rethinking Mexico spring break? Here are domestic…
Every 12 months, hundreds of Americans head to Mexico for their spring break journey plans, but this 12 months would possibly look a little different.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an advisory for Americans touring to Mexico last week, noting that while the widespread violence has subsided, “risks of crime and kidnapping remain.”
“Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations. This includes homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery,” the advisory said, also mentioning inappropriate assault, extortion and scams.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a spring break advisory for Americans touring to Mexico following widespread violence. REUTERS
After cartel violence enveloped Puerto Vallarta due to the killing of “El Mencho,” the nation’s most brutal drug lord, journey security specialists suggested Americans to contemplate altering their spring break plans.
For those who are assessing choices, a lot of domestic trip spots can act as a Plan B.
“With some travelers reconsidering trips this spring break, it’s a good reminder that you don’t actually need to leave the country to find adventure or a real sense of escape,” RVshare journey knowledgeable Maddi Bourgerie told The Post.
“The U.S. is home to incredible national and state parks, scenic coastlines, and outdoor destinations that can feel worlds away without the hassle of international travel.”
Cartel violence enveloped Puerto Vallarta after the killing of the nation’s most brutal drug lord, main Americans to change spring break plans. Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images
Turo, the world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing market, discovered that the top in-state spring break locations are Los Angeles, Hawaii, Orlando, Miami, Phoenix, Dallas, Las Vegas, Houston, Denver and Atlanta, according to data shared with The Post.
Meanwhile, Enterprise rental car reserving trends point out that Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada continue to rise to the top for U.S. vacationers.
Here are some of the most well-liked vacation spot choices for anybody switching up their Mexico spring break plans.
Florida
Those who booked a seaside trip in Mexico and still need to lounge by the ocean would possibly need to head to the Sunshine State.
Florida continues to be one of the most well-liked spring break locations. Romain Maurice for NY Post
Florida appears to be the most well liked spot for a spring break trip, with almost every survey mentioning at least one location there. In fact, one in 4 Gen Zers and millennials plan to go to Florida for spring break, according to a latest survey carried out by Enterprise shared with The Post.
Florida’s west coast dominated the Google Flights top 10 trending U.S. locations for spring break 2026, with 5 beachside locations making the listing: Sarasota, Panama City, Punta Gorda, Tampa and Fort Myers, with the latter also ranked No. 4 on Spirit Airlines’ top 10 searched 2026 spring break seaside spots.
Sanibel Island, dubbed the seashell capital of the world, is a well-liked spot close to Fort Myers, situated off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Just north of Sanibel is Captiva Island, recognized for its white-sand seashores and turquoise waters, where households are doubtless to spot wild dolphins and manatees.
But the west coast isn’t the only Florida draw for spring break. Spirit named Fort Lauderdale as the top spot, and Miami was ranked No. 3. Pensacola, a metropolis in the Florida panhandle, was No. 10 on the airline’s listing.
According to Turo, Florida continues to be among the company’s most well-liked locations for spring break, naming Miami and Orlando as some of the top scorching spots. Orlando particularly noticed the biggest year-over-year share increase in searches for domestic spring break journeys on Turo.
When it comes to seashores, a new analysis by Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort revealed the most well-liked spring break seashores in Florida, with the top 5, in order: Clearwater Beach, Fort Myers Beach, Cocoa Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach and Daytona Beach.
“Florida offers incredible variety for spring break travelers,” a spokesperson from Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort said, including that vacationers “should research what type of experience they want before choosing a destination.”
Hawaii
Expedia’s Spring Travel Outlook named Hawaii as the second-most trending U.S. vacation spot for spring, with a sizable 70% increase in searches.
Hawaii is a trending vacation spot for spring break, significantly Hilo on Hawaii’s Big Island. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Hilo, Hawaii, was named the top trending spring break vacation spot by Google Flights domestically and by Kayak total, with the latter’s data revealing that flight searches are up 60% in contrast to last spring break.
Travelers are flocking to the island to witness lava flows from the continuing eruption of Kīlauea and to have a good time the Merrie Monarch Festival, held from April 5-11, that includes the world’s premier hula competitors, an invitational arts truthful and a grand parade.
Kayak famous that Hilo was highlighted as an rising vacation spot that has not yet gone viral on social media, so this is the time to go to before it goes mainstream.
North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina, ranked No. 2 on Google Flights’ listing, is understood for its famed “Beer City” craft brewery scene and the galleries of the River Arts District.
North Carolina has seaside cities that spring breakers can flock to. Allison Joyce/Getty Images
Turo echoed Asheville as a well-liked vacation spot, with vacationers hoping to “rediscover” the gem, though they also talked about that Raleigh is changing into more and more well-liked, with vacationers wanting to explore the Smoky Mountains.
BoatBooker, a boat rental platform, named Beaufort, North Carolina, as one of the top 10 underrated U.S. water cities for spring break. Though Beaufort is often overshadowed by the touristy stretches of the Outer Banks, it’s surrounded by water on every aspect and gives a “charming” spring break vacation spot.
South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of the top locations for spring break this 12 months. Getty Images
Across the border, Spirit named Myrtle Beach, a trip metropolis along the Atlantic, as one of the top locations for spring break this 12 months.
Edisto Beach, South Carolina — a family-oriented coastal city about 50 miles south of Charleston — is another great water city highlighted by BoatBooker that gives out of doors experiences such as swimming, fishing, boating, birdwatching, seven mountain climbing, biking trails and two oceanfront campgrounds.
California
Those wanting for an different SoCal expertise can head to Long Beach or Santa Ana, California, which are on the rise this 12 months for trending U.S. spring break locations, according to Google Flights. Turo famous that Los Angeles was another well-liked spring break vacation spot this 12 months.
ACE.com ranked San Diego as the ninth top domestic vacation spot for spring break in 2026. Kevin Carter/Getty Images
About 160 miles northwest of LA and 200 miles south of San Francisco, Avila Beach, California, was ranked the third-most underrated water city by BoatBooker.
According to the platform, Avila Beach’s most well-kept secret is that it has its own micro-climate, so it’s constantly hotter and sunnier than the encompassing cities, with calmer waters that permit for swimming and paddling when the remainder of the coast is just too tough. Plus, it’s one of the best spots on the Central Coast for whale watching.
ACE.com’s Spring Break Index 2026 also listed San Diego, Palm Springs and Los Angeles as some of the top 20 domestic scorching spots this 12 months.
Colorado
In Grand Junction, Colorado, vacationers can get pleasure from a rafting journey on the Colorado River. VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Vail is a excellent vacation spot for spring breakers who need to hold on to winter a little longer and hope to get some late-season ski runs in. Vail rounded out Google Flights’ listing, taking the tenth spot.
Montrose, Grand Junction and Aspen have been among the top spring locations with domestic offers, according to Kayak, serving locations to get outdoor with mountain climbing trails, mountain air and national park views.
Also in Colorado, the “Mile High City” recognized as Denver was named a top spring break vacation spot by Turo.
Road journeys
An option for those who don’t need to spend money on a last-minute flight could possibly be hitting the open highway. According to Enterprise Mobility. 45% of Gen Z and Millennials are planning to take a highway journey for spring break.
According to RVshare’s 2026 Travel Trend Report, cellular journey is gaining reputation due to the flexibility it permits. Travelers can keep away from flight disruptions, change plans simply, and journey on their own timeline.
Road journeys are a sensible choice for anybody wanting for a nature-forward spring break, permitting for escapes to national parks, rural locations and lesser-known out of doors areas.
“Road trips, especially in an RV, make it easy to turn the journey into part of the vacation. You can skip long TSA lines, avoid buying multiple airline tickets, and travel on your own schedule while exploring places many travelers overlook,” Bourgerie shared. “RVing also opens the door to some surprisingly luxurious out of doors experiences, including high-end RV resorts that really feel more like an all-inclusive getaway.
“It’s a reminder that travelers looking for relaxation, adventure or even a little luxury don’t have to go far from home to find it — often, it’s just a road trip away.”
Stay in the loop with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest lifestyle news and content, thoughtfully curated to inspire and inform you.
