Sunshine, stiff drinks and miles of open coastline await travelers looking to escape brisk winds and frozen sidewalks this spring break. Students looking for the best way to battle the lion's roar next month can trek south of the border to thaw out their body, mind and adventurous spirit.
???Cancun, Mexico has been a college favorite for years with its gorgeous Caribbean waters on the country's tropical Yucatan Peninsula. Avid travelers will find familiar territory, but those heading south of the Tropic of Cancer for the first time will receive the most unforgettable experience.
???The Mexican city boasts archaeological sites, scuba diving, fishing tours, colonial sites, golf courses and plenty of beaches. According to www.cancun.com, the area around Cancun is small enough that visitors can conveniently traverse the countryside to visit world-renowned ecological parks and Mayan ruins.
???The key to making spring break in Cancun more than just another beach bash is leaving the resort and experiencing the exclusive treasures of the Yucatan.
???There are three primary Mayan sites within close proximity of Cancun as well as the Xel-Ha ecological park. According to www.cancun.com, Xel-Ha is known worldwide as the largest natural aquarium and includes a massive blue lagoon amid luscious green jungles.
???The city of Cancun has plenty of buses and taxicabs available for visitors to travel in safety from location to location, with the bus being the cheapest form of transportation. Taxi fares are set depending on city zones, while buses can take students pretty much anywhere for 6.5 Mexican Pesos, according to www.cancun.travel.
???Travelers looking for a taste of adventure can swim with dolphins and whale sharks, rent wave runners and take jungle tours, while those with experienced sea legs can take to the high seas.
According to www.cancun.travel, visitors interested in getting the most out of the Caribbean setting can put on their best Jack Sparrow
If sailing off into the sunset sounds intriguing, there are many Cancun dinner cruises that combine the beauty of the tropical seas with high quality cuisine and entertainment.
For the more timid travelers who like to keep things simple, there are plenty of activities to engage in right in the comfort of the resort area, but they center more on relaxation than adventure.
Helping students forget their studies for a week are miles of beaches, resort spas and shopping centers, according to www.cancun.travel.
Visitors can pamper themselves with a Thalassotherapy session, which combines natural seawater, marine algae and mud for the premium therapeutic experience. Following in ancient Mayan traditions, the popular Mayan Massages use essential oils and hot stones to help ease the pains of Buffalo winters.
When it comes to spending money at the shopping centers, students will find souvenirs for friends, as well as themselves, for any budget. According to www.cancun.travel, travelers will find everything from designer stores and famous brand names, to flea markets and handcrafted souvenir shops.
Helping visitors afford not only their travel and hotel, but also their vacation spending habits, is the considerable exchange rate.
According to www.economist.com, the currency rates as of Feb. 17, 2009 are 14.57 Mexican Pesos for every one U.S. dollar. This means hotels, travel and drinks will seem like great values compared to prices in the States; even a McDonald's Big Mac costs a dollar less in Mexico.
Plane tickets from Buffalo to Cancun range anywhere from $300 to $500 round-trip and give students plenty of choices for departure and arrival times, according to www.priceline.com.
Hotel prices range from the budget vacationer $100 per night up to a luxurious and ritzy $700 each night, with well over 100 hotels and resorts to choose from.
???Spring break 2009 is right around the corner and it's never too late to plan an unforgettable experience that includes a bit of history, water sports and lots of drinks with little umbrellas.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
