Head2Head - 12 Best Spring Break destinations of 2012

Written by: Kaylee Heinz '12

Grab you swimsuit, tanning lotion and sunglasses because we’re going to get ready to kick off the best spring break of your life! Spring break is one of the most looked forward to times of the year, besides summer that is. Who want to stay in boring ole’ Michigan? Not me, and I’m sure you don’t either! Why stay at home with nothing to do when you could go on an awesome adventure with your friend and family out of the state. Here are some great locations to visit for your 2012 spring break. So go out and enjoy your vacation and get away!

12 Best spring break destinations in 2012:

Cancun - Writers have consistently ranked Cancun as one of the top party destinations in North America. The Mexican city features cheap overnight accommodations, stretches of nice beaches and plenty of nightlife.

Miami Beach - Although Miami Beach can be pricey and has a reputation for being super exclusive, writers say that the Florida city is surprisingly accessible. Nightclubs and bars pack the colorful streets and encourage you to stay out all night. By day, the long stretches of beautiful sand and clear waters are nice places to work on your tan and to recover from the previous evening's festivities.

South Padre Island - Throughout the rest of the year, South Padre Island welcomes mostly families to its resort hotels and beautiful beaches. But when Spring Break hits, the quiet Texan island becomes overrun with students.

Puerto Rico - There’s a reason that Puerto Rico is known as the "Island of Enchantment." During the day, the pristine waters host plenty of activities for active students; in the evenings, the city comes to life.

Puerto Vallarta - By day, Puerto Vallarta is for exploring, with serene beaches, mountains and hidden coves. At night, happy hours kick off the night and visiting students stay out until the wee hours of the morning in dance clubs and partying on the beaches.

Bahamas - Bahamas features crystal clear blue waters and are guaranteed to bring out crowds of crazy teenagers every year. There is plenty to do during the daytime and casinos, nightclubs and bars take care of activities for after sundown.

Cabo San Lucas - Although the hotels are relatively expensive here, Cabo San Lucas is the party capital of the southern Baja. The beaches are pristine, and there are plenty of activities for the daytime hours.

Jamaica - Jamaica has remained a popular Spring Break destination for years. The resort heavy Caribbean island has water activities during the day and plenty of places for night life activity.

Playa Del Carmen - Writers compare Playa del Carmen to Cancun since also has cheap hotels and is popular with the students. However, it's far more relaxed and laidback.

Punta Cana - Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic has plenty to do at all points of the day. The beach waters glitter, and nightclubs and bars abound for the younger set at night, both within your resort and outside of it. However, Punta Cana tends to be better known for its hot golf scene than its Spring Break scene.

Puerto Plata - There are plenty of vacation package deals, which make Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and extremely accessible city; all-inclusive resorts tend to be popular options among raging teenagers. The city is known for its cheap accommodations and laidback atmosphere.

Daytona - With beaches you can drive on, Daytona makes for an excellent road trip. And when not living out of your car, there are budget priced hotels and or motels just a few minutes from the beach.