March Break is almost here for many North American travelers. Here’s a look at some of my fave Caribbean getaway spots, as well as a glimpse at some of the most affordable places in the U.S. for students on spring break.
JIM’S LAST-MINUTE MARCH BREAK CARIBBEAN SPOTS
St. Vincent and the Grenadines: The island of St. Vincent is home to a fairly new Sandals Resort. It’s a short ferry ride from St. Vincent to the tranquil island of Bequia, where you’ll find stunning beaches, lovely waterfront walking areas and the lovely Bequia Beach Hotel. Further south, check out the posh Palm Island Resort and Spa.
Samana, Dominican Republic: The DR is famous for its Punta Cana and Cap Cana regions, which are great. But I really enjoy the Samana region to the north. To my mind, Playa Rincon in Samana is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. There are a couple of fun, inexpensive restaurants for lunch, as well as a freshwater creek for a cool dip.
The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Grand Cayman. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Nevis: This is a super-chill island that’s easily reached by ferry from St. Kitts. The Four Seasons Resort on Nevis is exquisite, and also offers up a fabulous golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Next door is a casual, fun restaurant and bar called Sunshine’s, home of the powerful Killer Bee cocktail. If you’re not careful, one of the island’s wild monkeys is likely to steal your drink.
Cayman Islands: There are tons of fine resorts on Grand Cayman, including the Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa and the Ritz-Carlton. If you want to save money and enjoy a remarkably relaxed island, check out Little Cayman, which has amazing diving and a series of small, boutique hotels. There’s only one main road on the island, and it cuts through one of the island airport runways.
Jamaica: This Caribbean island has an amazing array of hotels and resorts. On the less expensive side, Jake’s at Treasure Beach is a fun, family-run spot on the south coast. I had a fabulous visit to Sunset at the Palms Resort in Negril last year. Sandals Royal Caribbean has spectacular overwater bungalows in Montego Bay. It’s a bit late for some March break, but the Eclipse at Half Moon wing and villas at Half Moon resort in MoBay will reopen April 2. Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa last fall, but most resorts are open, and you’ll be helping the economy – and helping keep locals employed – if you visit soon.
BEST STUDENT SPRING BREAK SPOTS IN THE U.S.
A March 2026 report on student travel destinations found San Antonio, Texas, to be the cheapest getaway for the upcoming spring break. As colleges and universities prepare for their March breaks, a new study by the digital entertainment platform JB.com shows where young travelers can enjoy warm weather and nightlife on a budget.
Myrtle Beach. JIM BYERS PHOTO
- San Antonio, Texas, is the cheapest spring break destination, with hotels charging under $90 nightly and meals averaging $18. San Antonio has tremendous history, and the River Walk is one of the most unique destinations in the U.S.
- With the highest safety rating, students in Pittsburgh can bar-hop between 2,000 spots without accidentally ending up in sketchy neighborhoods. It’s a very cool, underrated city in my humble opinion.
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, offers one-of-a-kind beachfront nightlife with drinks costing just $5. I quite enjoy Myrtle Beach. It’s a fun, totally unpretentious holiday spot that’s great for students and families alike.
