Spring Break Travel Mistakes to Avoid

Spring Break is the perfect time to escape the cold for some sun and fun, but that doesn't mean there aren't any pitfalls to watch out for. This list of Spring Break travel blunders to avoid can help maximize your time while ensuring your trip goes off without a hitch.

If you haven't booked your spring travel plans quite yet, you should start the planning process now-or yesterday! Booking at the last minute is the best way to wind up paying more than you should, not to mention that most of the best hotels and resorts will be fully booked by now.

School breaks are some of the busiest travel times of the year, which means you should get to the airport early if you can. If you try to arrive at the last minute, you could face long security lines that could force you to miss your flight. Arrive at the airport early, or you could live to regret it!

If you booked a hotel or resort for your Spring break trip, make sure you check whether you'll have to pay a resort fee. Many properties charge this fee (usually between $15 and $80 per night) in addition to their advertised room rate. Some even bury the details in their fine print, so be sure to check!

While not everyone who goes on Spring break plans an epic party, plenty of destinations are well known for hosting countless hordes of drunk partygoers. Cancun, Mexico comes to mind, along with Panama City and Daytona Beach in Florida. If you book a party destination and don't realize it, you could be in for a rude awakening (and some sleepless nights).

If you hope to save money on your spring getaway, shopping around is the best way to do it. Remember that prices can vary for the same hotel and resort depending on where you book-and the same is true for flights. If you're angling for a rental condo, pricing will also be all over the place depending on your dates and chosen rental rate.

A few bad hotel reviews may not spell disaster, but a property with more bad reviews than good probably earned their stripes. If a hotel you're considering has countless poor reviews due to dirty rooms, bad customer service or fraud, take heed and plan accordingly.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for qualified travel expenses if your flight, hotel and other accommodations need to be canceled for a qualified reason such as inclement weather, a resort closing or a health scare. Without travel insurance, on the other hand, you could wind up losing your money if your trip is canceled for reasons beyond your control.

You're probably dreaming of a tropical escape from the cold, but that doesn't mean the temperatures will line up with your fantasy. Spring break in warm weather destinations like Florida is often chillier than one might think. In Panama City, Florida, for example, the average high temperature in March is only 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

Whether you're planning a Spring break cruise, a stay at a resort or a restful week in a condo, it's easy to assume you'll have access to the internet. However, you may wind up having to pay a surcharge for internet access depending on where you stay. Many cruise lines and resorts don't include internet for guests-unless you pay extra, of course.

Spring break is known as a time to party the night away, but you could live to regret it if you forget about your limits. According to statistics from the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, as many as 1,825 college students die each year from alcohol-related injuries or drinking too much.

No matter where you're traveling for Spring break, don't forget the sunscreen! Burning your skin can put you on the fast track to getting skin cancer, not to mention burns can be extremely painful. Pack some sunscreen in your bag and make sure it's waterproof if you plan to swim!

If you don't want to arrive home from vacation to a giant credit card bill, it's crucial to create a travel budget for your trip-and to stick to it. Make sure to plan out the costs for flights, hotels, dining and entertainment, then make sure you can afford it before you book.

No trip is perfect, and that includes any travel you have planned for Spring Break. With that in mind, it's crucial to keep an open mind and avoid letting any small problems ruin your vacation. Don't sweat the small stuff and you're bound to have a lot more fun!