Rethinking Mexico for spring break? Here are some domestic options well worth checking out
Every year, thousands of Americans head to Mexico for their spring break travel plans, but this year might look a little different.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an advisory for Americans traveling 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 sexual assault, extortion and scams.
After cartel violence enveloped Puerto Vallarta due to the killing of “El Mencho,” the country’s most brutal drug lord, travel security experts advised Americans to consider changing their spring break plans.
For those who are assessing options, plenty of domestic vacation 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 travel expert 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.”
Turo, the world’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, found that the top in-state spring break destinations 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 booking trends indicate that Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada continue to rise to the top for U.S. travelers.
Here are some of the most popular destination options for anyone switching up their Mexico spring break plans.
Florida
Those who booked a beach vacation in Mexico and still want to lounge by the ocean might want to head to the Sunshine State.
Florida seems to be the hottest spot for a spring break vacation, with nearly every survey mentioning at least one location there. In fact, one in four Gen Zers and millennials plan to visit Florida for spring break, according to a recent survey conducted by Enterprise shared with The Post.
Florida’s west coast dominated the Google Flights top 10 trending U.S. destinations for spring break 2026, with five beachside destinations making the list: 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 beach spots.
Sanibel Island, dubbed the seashell capital of the world, is a popular spot near Fort Myers, located off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Just north of Sanibel is Captiva Island, known for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, where families are likely 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 city in the Florida panhandle, was No. 10 on the airline’s list.
According to Turo, Florida continues to be among the company’s most popular destinations for spring break, naming Miami and Orlando as some of the top hot spots. Orlando specifically saw the largest year-over-year percentage increase in searches for domestic spring break trips on Turo.
When it comes to beaches, a new analysis by Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort revealed the most popular spring break beaches in Florida, with the top five, 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, adding that travelers “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. destination for spring, with a sizable 70% increase in searches.
Hilo, Hawaii, was named the top trending spring break destination by Google Flights domestically and by Kayak overall, with the latter’s data revealing that flight searches are up 60% compared to last spring break.
Travelers are flocking to the island to witness lava flows from the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea and to celebrate the Merrie Monarch Festival, held from April 5-11, featuring the world’s premier hula competition, an invitational arts fair and a grand parade.
Kayak noted that Hilo was highlighted as an emerging destination that has not yet gone viral on social media, so this is the time to visit before it goes mainstream.
North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina, ranked No. 2 on Google Flights’ list, is known for its famed “Beer City” craft brewery scene and the galleries of the River Arts District.
Turo echoed Asheville as a popular destination, with tourists hoping to “rediscover” the gem, though they also mentioned that Raleigh is becoming increasingly popular, with travelers looking to explore the Smoky Mountains.
BoatBooker, a boat rental platform, named Beaufort, North Carolina, as one of the top 10 underrated U.S. water towns for spring break. Though Beaufort is often overshadowed by the touristy stretches of the Outer Banks, it’s surrounded by water on every side and offers a “charming” spring break destination.
South Carolina
Across the border, Spirit named Myrtle Beach, a vacation city along the Atlantic, as one of the top destinations for spring break this year.
Edisto Beach, South Carolina — a family-oriented coastal town about 50 miles south of Charleston — is another great water town highlighted by BoatBooker that offers outdoor experiences such as swimming, fishing, boating, birdwatching, seven hiking, biking trails and two oceanfront campgrounds.
California
Those looking for an alternative SoCal experience can head to Long Beach or Santa Ana, California, which are on the rise this year for trending U.S. spring break destinations, according to Google Flights. Turo noted that Los Angeles was another popular spring break destination this year.
About 160 miles northwest of LA and 200 miles south of San Francisco, Avila Beach, California, was ranked the third-most underrated water town by BoatBooker.
According to the platform, Avila Beach’s most well-kept secret is that it has its own micro-climate, so it’s consistently warmer and sunnier than the surrounding towns, with calmer waters that allow for swimming and paddling when the rest of the coast is too rough. 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 hot spots this year.
Colorado
Vail is a perfect destination for spring breakers who want to hang on to winter a little longer and hope to get some late-season ski runs in. Vail rounded out Google Flights’ list, taking the 10th spot.
Montrose, Grand Junction and Aspen were among the top spring destinations with domestic deals, according to Kayak, serving places to get outdoors with hiking trails, mountain air and national park views.
Also in Colorado, the “Mile High City” known as Denver was named a top spring break destination by Turo.
Road trips
An option for those who don’t want to spend money on a last-minute flight could be hitting the open road. According to Enterprise Mobility. 45% of Gen Z and Millennials are planning to take a road trip for spring break.
According to RVshare’s 2026 Travel Trend Report, mobile travel is gaining popularity due to the flexibility it allows. Travelers can avoid flight disruptions, change plans easily, and travel on their own timeline.
Road trips are a good choice for anyone looking for a nature-forward spring break, allowing for escapes to national parks, rural destinations and lesser-known outdoor regions.
“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 outdoor experiences, including high-end RV resorts that 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.”
