Fun Spring Break Destinations That Won't Break The Bank

Cheap flights to Cancun are easy to find and Playa del Carmen is just 40 minutes away from the airport. This coastal city is one of the fastest growing on the continent which means you're guaranteed a variety of spectacular beaches, bustling nightlife with bars, restaurants, clubs (you'll find them on 12th Street), and lots of deals to save money. Many areas, especially downtown, are 100 percent walkable, so you won't have to pay extra for cabs or a rented car.

This is a family-friendly Spring Break destination. It gets busy because of the resort's welcoming atmosphere, clean beaches, great food and specific deals resorts offer targeting couples with kids. They get a lot of free perks all over the island. This lively location is only growing in popularity and so is the competition for clients, making you the winner with plenty of options for cheap hotels with children's programs and fun daycare services.

Adventurers will love Negril. Sunbathing is a given but you can also go cliff jumping, waterfall climbing and sunset sailing. Live entertainment at night is thriving with reggae concerts and beach parties with bonfires and more music. Get a party pass and you won't have to buy tickets for every theme bash you want to hit. The historians among you will appreciate the opportunities to see the archeological treasures of the ancient Mayans along the Yucatán Peninsula.

Barbados isn't as popular this time of year as Aruba or Puerto Rico, probably because the island is further away. You definitely won't see big crowds of Spring Breakers. You'll notice families with little kids more than drunken college students. You'll enjoy miles of pristine beaches, many bars and nightclubs, authentic cuisine and duty-free shopping. Now may be the time to buy some jewelry...

St. Lucia is the perfect place for a nice and relaxing vacation. You should consider going there if your ultimate goal is to soak up sun and stay outdoors for as long as you can. There is nothing wrong with lazing in a hammock with a cool drink in your hand. Zip-lining through forests is a favorite adventure there. The nightlife is fairly quiet during the week, but the bars and clubs totally transform into hot night spots on the weekends.

Spending your Spring Break on the Indian Ocean sounds very exotic. Arugam Bay is a delightful beach town that surfers will probably appreciate more than anyone else. This is the best place in the country to ride awesome waves. Many other watersports are also available. The beachfront guesthouses and oceanside restaurants will totally fit your budget because they are far from the popular beach resorts. The low season lasts until end of April.

It doesn't take long to find cheap tickets to Santa Marta in March and April because this is not the tourist season. Santa Marta is one the oldest cities in South America with much of its colonial architecture still preserved. The beaches are amazing but so are the neighboring mountain towns, hiking treks and a lost city. Visit the Tayrona Gold Museum to see extraordinary gold works from the pre-Columbian era.

You won't miss the beach because you are only a short drive away from five beach towns. People go to Charleston for the food, golf courses, and historic sites. You can get an all-inclusive "ticket" to a few restaurants, and drink and eat as much as you can for one price. Kids love the dolphin sightings and pirate quests on the Palmetto Breeze Catamaran. You may happen to be in the city during Charleston Fashion Week (March 15-18) to see the latest trends, because who needs Paris, right?

Denver may be more popular right now as the home of the reigning Super Bowl champions, but it has a lot more to offer. Visiting can be an educational and cultural experience. Take the opportunity to learn about the myths and legends of the world at the Museum of Nature and Science, a must-see. Visit the Performing Arts Center to see amazing Broadway-style shows. The Denver Art Museum has a themed Spring Break every year where people can create art pieces alongside artists in the galleries, and admission is free for anyone 18 and younger. In case the weather is not perfect some days, check out the Apex Center. It has two ice rinks, a gigantic indoor aquatic play area, climbing wall, indoor track, and themed indoor playground.

Don't miss your chance to visit Cuba while the flights are still cheap and before the island becomes inundated with tourists. Varadero Beach is one of the best in the Caribbean and the longest in the country – more than 13 miles. Many also call it "the most beautiful." All-inclusive packages are offered by nearly every resort.

Head to The Netherlands in time for the Spring Break Amsterdam Festival from April 3-6, "the world's most infamous event, in Europe's sickest city," as they like to call it. Take advantage of the dollar-euro exchange rates, usually around $100 for €89, before it's too late. Consider staying in a former industrial monument where you can free fall from the top with a bungee cord – it's only 164 feet. This is an astonishing and unique experience, far removed from the bland standard hotels all over the place.

Austin has options for any spring breaker – teen, college student, adult, or parent. The divine food alone is a reason to go there for a week. But you can engage in certain recreational activities as well. Canoe on Lady Bird Lake or hike and camp in the McKinney Falls, a 635-acre park with many trails. The nightlife doesn't take a break until 6 a.m. Authentic and contemporary honky tonks offer live entertainment and innovative music. Don't be surprised if you end up in a bachelor(ette) party on a given night...

Punta Cana is popular year-round but that doesn't mean you can't find good deals. Most resorts are all-inclusive and have everything you can possibly need on your Spring Break vacation. Visitors like to say that you don't even have to leave the resort. You get pristine beaches, clean pools of all sizes, Jacuzzis, various restaurants, and live entertainment shows day and night.

Nosara is the ideal Spring Break destination for people looking for something offbeat with opportunities for watersports. Surfers love Nosara and its huge waves. Buena Vista Nosara was awarded Tripadvisor's 2013 Traveler's Choice award for value and customer satisfaction. When you're not busy riding breathtaking waves, visit the Foundation Jaguar Rescue Center. You'll get up close and personal with wildlife animals ranging from birds to reptiles. Go zip lining and horseback riding through ranches and landmarks for a complete adventurous experience.

Panama's Bocas del Toro is home to several resorts with overwater villas, but Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge is the best. At this jungle-covered-eco-resort set off the country's Caribbean coast, the overwater villas are the only way to go. They are solar powered, which means serious stargazing. In the off season, the overwater bungalows start at just $350 per night. Bocas del Toro has a relaxed, laid-back feel. People love going there for scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and bustling nightlife.

Dubrovnik may very well be one of Europe's hidden gems. The coastline is stunning, rugged mountains are nearby, certain tourist sites have been there since the 13^th century, and the wine is divine. Just a half hour away from the city you'll find a hidden oasis. A secluded cove sits far beneath the main road that heads north from the city. Walk 15 minutes down a centuries-old path and stone staircase with beautiful views of neighboring islands. The cove is occupied by a few private residents, but the crystal-clear water, small rounded stones and views of the Elafiti Islands are pristine and public.