Everybody loves getting away in spring. It’s been a few months since the holidays, and you’re looking forward to a trip away from the cold. Whether you’re planning a trip for the entire family or want to have a solo getaway, many want to avoid popular spring break destinations that come with a huge crowd.
This year, go for destinations that aren’t on everyone’s radar by heading to one of these destinations where you can avoid the spring break crowds.
1. Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is a city in Argentina’s western region, known for its stunning scenery and outdoor activities. Mendoza is near the Andes Mountains, making it a popular destination for hiking and other outdoor activities.
The city is also known for its wine production; many vineyards and wineries in the surrounding region offer tours and tastings. Nestled in the heart of wine country, Mendoza is an ideal destination in Spring due to the long days of sunshine and warmth accompanied by wine and culinary delights.
One of the best places to stay where travelers should rest is the newly opened SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites. The new boutique hotel was designed for wine lovers by the famed Argentine winemaker, the country’s first female winemaker, Susana Balbo, and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo.
2. Malaysia
For travelers looking for a unique beach destination, Pangkor Laut Resort is the place to visit. Set off the West coast of Malaysia on a private island exclusive to guests, the tropical haven sits amid an ancient rainforest, white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters.
The resort gives guests a glimpse into true, laid-back island living. From daily guided walks through a two-million-year-old rainforest to sunset cruises, island hopping, and fishing adventures, guests will be enchanted by all that the paradise the island has to offer.
One of the unique features of the Pangkor Laut Resort is the Spa Village, which offers a range of spa treatments inspired by traditional Asian healing techniques. The Spa Village also features several “healing huts” where guests can receive Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurvedic therapies, and Malay healing rituals.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland is a great destination to visit in the spring, with its beautiful mountain scenery, mild weather, and many outdoor activities. Visitors to Switzerland can enjoy the many hiking trails, bike paths, and scenic drives throughout the country in the spring.
Located in western Switzerland, between Lake Geneva and Lake Neuchâtel, The Canton of Vaud extends from the peaceful Jura Mountains up to the fascinating Vaud Alps and along majestic lakes that blend with the authentic charm of the landscape.
4. Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its stunning natural beauty, wildlife, and unique cultural heritage. The country is home to many national parks and wildlife reserves, including the Okavango Delta, one of the world’s largest inland deltas, and a diverse range of wildlife, such as elephants, lions, hippos, and crocodiles.
Another activity you can enjoy is Cycling ancient elephant highways in Botswana. The first cycling safari of its kind in the Okavango Delta: six nights exploring the ancient elephant highways that have shaped the Botswana landscape for centuries by bike. That works for a family with teenagers, as it’s not for little ones.
Many lodges exist, such as the Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge in the Chobe National Park and the Sanctuary Chief’s Camp in the Okavango Delta.
5. Punta Islita, Costa Rica
Spending spring break in Costa Rica will be a holiday like no other. Known for its national parks, Costa Rica will provide plenty of fun activities for the entire family, like animal spotting, river rafting, and more.
Situated on the Nicoya Peninsula – designated one of the world’s Blue Zones – Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection offers an authentic Costa Rican experience, combining luxury and an eco-resort sensibility. This intimate retreat is nestled in dense tropical forests on a protected Pacific cove featuring two pools, a private beach, two restaurants, a spa, and 54 individually designed rooms and villas with private terraces and hammocks, some with private decks and an outdoor pool.
6. Bastimentos Island, Panama
Do you want to have island vibes without the crowds? Panama is the perfect destination. On the remote Bastimentos Island, in Panama’s Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Red Frog Beach Island Resort showcases nature at its finest. Set on a dense rainforest that meets the white-sand shoreline framed by the placid, crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, the luxury resort is surrounded by tropical rainforests where sloths, monkeys, birds, and red frogs reside.
Accessed via a 15-minute water taxi ride through Caribbean mangroves from Bocas Town, you can swim with sunfish in coral beds, soak in striking Caribbean views, and enjoy a climate that averages 82 degrees year-round in a paradise that sits within a hurricane-free zone. With 300+ nearby islands and islets, most uninhabited, there is a lot to discover on land and in the water.
7. Sint Maarten
Sint Maarten is one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant destinations, with activities for every enthusiast. Its exquisite views, duty-free shops, incredible beaches, and extraordinary local cuisine make it a popular spring break destination.
And as the largest all-inclusive resort on the island, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is at the epicenter of it all. The resort is set on a ten-acre oceanfront property offering a variety of accommodations, first-rate amenities, and stellar personalized service for singles, couples, families, and groups, with a dedicated tour desk inside the lobby.
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is also home to the largest casino on the island, across from the resort. It’s located between two of the most popular beaches, one famous for its plane approaches over Maho Beach – always a good one for Spring Breakers, whether it views from the Sky Loft Suite or taking that Instagram-worthy snap directly on the beach in front of the resort. Proximity to the airport and ferries also makes Sonesta Resorts Sint Maarten the hub for island hopping to neighboring islands Saba, St. Barths, Anguilla, Antigua, and more.
8. Kenya
Known as the world’s best safari destination, Kenya has put itself on the map. One of the unique experiences currently offered is visiting Finch Hattons in Tsavo National Park. You’ll get views of Mount Kilimanjaro and an abundance of elephants, leopards, giraffes, and more.
The ultimate luxury safari experience, Finch Hattons offers a calm alternative for spring breakers looking to enjoy a transformative experience. Guests can enjoy morning and evening game drives, bush walks, full-day hikes, and outings to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Mzima Springs, and Chyulu Hills to learn about the traditions of the local Maasai people.
9. Guatemala
For those looking for a culturally enriching experience this Spring, Guatemala is a destination featuring captivating natural landscapes, picturesque villages, and a culture unlike any other.
Tucked away in the lush hills of Santa Catarina, Casa Palopó is a private home turned boutique hotel offering eccentrically decorated guest rooms adorned with colorful walls, Latin American artwork, and handwoven textiles made in Guatemala – all perfectly complemented with sweeping views of Lake Atitlán, the surrounding volcanoes, and the neighboring indigenous villages across the shore.
10. Iceland
This spring, trade in pink sand beaches for black basalt ones, swimming pools for hot springs, and sunny days for starry nights.
In the springtime, visitors can capture more bucket list moments with lesser crowds and costs. Hotel Rangá is southern Iceland’s elegant and rustic oasis, ideal for travelers looking for a trip that’s as adventurous as it is rejuvenating. As the snow melts and the countryside turns green, guests can easily hop on an Icelandic horse, explore an ice cave, hike through stunning canyons, or stand in awe of majestic waterfalls.
11. Aruba
Aruba is the perfect destination for a spring break getaway. This small Caribbean island boasts beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and plenty of sunshine year-round. With an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and windsurfing, or simply lounging on the beach with a cold drink in hand.
The perfect place to escape this spring break season, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa, & Casino has something to offer for guests of all ages. From the beautiful views of the beachfront hotel, to the onsite spa and casino for adults, to the waterslide and Camp Hyatt for kids, Hyatt Regency Aruba is the perfect family location.
This post is published by Spark Nomad and syndicated by Radical FIRE.
Founder of Spark Nomad, Radical FIRE, Journalist
- Expertise: Personal finance and travel content
- Education: Bachelor of Economics at Radboud University, Master in Finance at Radboud University, Minor in Economics at Chapman University.
- Over 200 articles, essays, and short stories published across the web.
Experience: Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Spark Nomad, a travel platform, and Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform. Marjolein has a finance and economics background with a master’s in Finance. She has quit her job to travel the world, documenting her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their travels. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications like MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News syndicate, and more.