Best Spring Break Destinations in 2022
With blizzard conditions blanketing the country in recent weeks, it’s easy to forget that warmer months are, thankfully, right around the corner. As the winter frost begins its slow spring thaw—and with travel restrictions loosening across the nation—there’s no better time than now to start planning your spring break getaway for 2022.
Once synonymous with students letting loose at the mid-term, these days the notion of spring break has evolved into something much more universal than a simple high school or college rite of passage. After all, you don’t need a series of exams to feel in need of a balmy break on some serene stretch of shoreline. For singles, couples, families and friends alike, this annual escape offers the perfect pause between the winter holidays and summer vacation. Here, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite destinations for spring break this year.
Cancun, Mexico
There may be no more iconic spring break location than this lively oceanfront city tucked along the Yucatán Peninsula. With easy air travel from most major U.S. hubs, and a wide range of accommodations—from five-star hotels to smaller guesthouses and inns—Cancun has something for every traveler. Beach bums can’t miss the world-famous white sands and cerulean blue seas of playas Langosta, Tortugas, Caracol and Las Perlas. And those looking for a little fun after dark will have no trouble finding an array of late-night bars and restaurants, along with nightclubs and live music venues.
Miami, Florida
As one of the largest metropolitan cities in Florida, second only to Jacksonville and about four and a half hours to its south, Miami packs a punch for spring breakers of all kinds. From the legendary Art Deco strip of neon nightclubs that line Collins Avenue in South Beach, to the vibrant and graffiti-packed Wynwood Arts District, spilling over with eclectic bars and galleries—night owls will find plenty to do here. But the beaches and intercoastal waterways that line Miami’s Atlantic and Biscayne Bay-facing coasts are the real draw. And with around 250 days of sunshine, you’ll find plenty of reasons to linger longer as spring break draws to a close.
Negril, Jamaica
While many in the cruise ship crowd head to popular Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, the comparatively more serene Negril is an awe-inspiring destination in its own right. Tucked along the silky white shoreline that borders Jamaica’s West End, this year-round beach haven is home to world-famous Seven Mile Beach. Sun-worshippers are drawn to its tranquil shores, while the Long Bay stretch attracts snorkeling enthusiasts with its rocky, sheltered lagoon and relatively shallow reef system. Visitors can even get beginning dive-certification here, before sampling authentic Caribbean fare from a collection of world-class restaurants to cap off the evening.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Situated on the easternmost point of the island, this all-inclusive paradise is wildly popular with vacationers from the U.S. and even farther abroad, drawing visitors all year long. Punta Cana offers a nearly-20-mile stretch of shoreline that combines the best conditions of both the Atlantic Ocean surf and the more docile Caribbean Sea. Try your hand at kayaking or snorkeling one day, then hit the more active coast for windsurfing or sailing. Beyond the beaches, spring breakers can also indulge in a range of outdoor activities like hiking, biking and zip lining.
