by FOMO Girl
American college students have participated in a travel vacation away during the spring break vacation period since the late 1800s, but it was not until the late 1950s that college students from all over the country were flocking to the beaches of Florida in March and Fort Lauderdale became the first Spring Break destination.

A student interviewed by Time Magazine at the time said that she had come to Fort Lauderdale because "this is where the boys are." This simple comment set the scene for the 1960 movie - Where the Boys Are, which premiered at Fort Lauderdale's Gateway Theatre on Sunrise Boulevard on 21 December 1960. The movie was a massive success and promoted across the country the annual mass migration of college students to the beaches of Fort Lauderdale. The "invasion" in March of 1961 saw over 50,000 college students arriving in Fort Lauderdale, overwhelming the 80,000 local residents.

In the early 1980s, Fort Lauderdale residents became upset at the damage done by Spring Breakers and in 1985 the local government passed laws restricting parties. As well, this was around the time that the National Minimum Drinking Age Act was enacted in the United States, which meant that Florida raised its minimum drinking age to 21. This encouraged many 18 to 20 year old spring breakers to travel outside the United States for Spring Break. By 1989, the number of spring breakers heading to Fort Lauderdale fell from 350,000 at its peak, to just 20,000.

However, a new hot spot was emerging just up the Florida coast in Daytona Beach. This was mostly because of MTV's first Spring Break from Daytona Beach in 1986. In the following few years up to 200,000 students headed to Daytona Beach for Spring Break. Daytona's local government undertook similar measures to Fort Lauderdale and the crowds of the mid-1990's and early 2000's had fallen away.

These days Panama City Beach is the destination of choice for Spring Breakers, making Spring Break a major factor in the city's economy. Panama City Beach in Florida has become the most popular Spring Break destination due to its relative proximity to many southern colleges, as well as the fact that the locals welcome Spring Breakers.

Other major Spring Break destinations in the USA are South Padre Island in Texas, Las Vegas, Miami's South Beach and Daytona Beach has reamerged as a Spring Break destination.

Spring Break international destinations, with their lower minimum drinking ages, are a major factor for the increase in Spring Breakers heading overseas for their vacation.

Internationally popular Spring Break destinations include Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatln, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco in Mexico, as well as the Bahamas, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.

For the must-do event on any college students calendar do not forget Spring Break.

by FOMO Girl
So your an 18-20 years old College Spring Breaker, you want to party like there is no tomorrow and they have underage drinking laws across the entire United States.  Well it's a pretty simple answer that there is no point going to a USA destination for your Spring Break adventures.

Below are the best places for you to head for your International Spring Break experience.

The movie, The Real Cancun, showed the world just how wild Spring Break is in Cancun. Most of the time, especially during the day, Cancun Spring Break Headquarters is around Fat Tuesday, which was featured in the movie.  Like Las Vegas, whatever happens in Cancun, stays in Cancun, so I don't have to tell you how crazy it can get.  Cancun is a gorgeous paradise that has grown in popularity to become the top international Spring Break destination.

If you would like to do so something different this Spring Break and do something like check out a bull fight, then Acapulco boasts the second largest arena in Mexico.  As well as this you can check out the world-famous divers of La Quebrada dive 136 feet from the rocky cliffs into crashing surf below.  You may have seen them on TV or in the movies.  The city is also home to clubs that are among the most impressive in the world.  The beaches here are endless. You just can't beat a lazy day on the beach enjoying the breeze, the surf and the sun while keeping your cool with a tall tropical drink.  

Mo-Bay, as the locals call it, or Montego Bay in Jamaica is famous for its crystal clear water and constant temperature of between 78 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 to 28 Celsius.  Montego Bay is considered the capital of Spring Break in Jamaica.

In the quest of an endless summer and awesome sunsets, Negril in Jamaica is the once sleepy little fishing village discovered by hippies during the 1960's.  Negril offers an unspoiled 7 mile stretch of white sand beaches crowned by low lying cliffs.

An island paradise conveniently located less than 100 miles from Miami is Grand Bahama. It is this close proximity to the United States that has stimulated the development of the island's many resorts and casinos. The island is well known for its reef-protected shoreline with its many cays and white-sand beaches.

If your attracted by a pirate's life, then Nassau in the Bahamas is the place for you. Once inhabited by such notables as Blackbeard, Calico Jack and Mary Reed, the island still provides a safe haven for those seeking to escape from despotic academics.

If there is one must-do event on any college students calendar it is the Spring Break vacation.