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Global destinations for a spring break group getaway

Grab your besties and take the trip of a lifetime to one of these spring break destinations around the world.

By Cassandra Brooklyn | December 6, 2023 (Updated Januray 16, 2025)

Cassandra Brooklyn

Cassandra Brooklyn is a freelance writer and guidebook author specializing in travel, accessibility, sustainability, and all things outdoors. She resides in New York City but escapes to adventures around the world as often as possible. She's the author of the cycling guidebook, Cuba By Bike, has contributed to multiple guidebooks, and has bylines in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Forbes, The Daily Beast, and Lonely Planet, among others.

Headshot of author Cassandra Brooklyn

The snow is melting, the flowers will soon bloom, and you're likely itching to get away and take a break from it all. With these expert travel recommendations and hotels in prime locations with amenities to enhance your stay, taking an epic spring break vacation may be just what the doctor ordered. Here are five fun-filled global destinations that are perfect for your next group getaway this spring.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Make your way to Dubai this spring, when cooler temperatures make it an ideal time to explore the futuristic desert metropolis. Art and culture aficionados will love The Third Line, a trendy warehouse space showcasing emerging Middle Eastern talent, and the Opera District, where entertainment spans from theater and opera to ballet and touring musical performances. While the astounding local architecture and fabulous fine dining often get all the attention, Dubai is filled with plenty of opportunities for adventure, too. Your concierge at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeriah can arrange a private sailing, surfing, kite-surfing, or windsurfing session. Prefer to stay on land? Book a day on the golf course or a desert safari, complete with sandboarding, quad biking, and camel rides.

Tulum, Mexico

Mexico may conjure up images of wild spring break blowouts, but this hugely diverse country also offers endless opportunities for more elevated experiences. Discover the perfect mixture of wellness, relaxation, and exploration at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, where the concierge can prepare a tailored trip for you and your friends, including visits to the impressive Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or Gran Cenote, one of Mexico’s largest natural sinkholes. If serenity is what your group seeks, you can spend time lounging by any of the resort’s five pools with a cooling cocktail or fresh smoothie in hand. For extra pampering, make an appointment at Conrad Tulum Spa, where an in-house shaman can guide you through purification and gratitude ceremonies prior to your treatment — think hot stone or herbal massages, nourishing mud therapy sessions, or cocoa and cactus skin treatments.

Madrid

Spain’s largest and most populous city is popular with travelers for a reason. From world-class gastronomy and awe-inspiring art museums to a thriving nightlife scene that attracts colossal crowds in the summer, Madrid can be explored at a more relaxed pace in spring. Head to the Mirador Madrid observation deck for a panoramic view of the city and catch a dance performance at Teatro Flamenco Madrid. Come evening, join locals in their national pastime of tapas-hopping, where you enjoy satisfying small plates (usually paired with wine) before heading to dinner. Discover this authentic taste of the neighborhood at Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana with a vibrant blend of tapas and local products at Escándalo’s daily “Evening Tasting.”

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Jamaica is an adventure-lovers’ paradise, where you'll find superb hiking, snorkeling, and bird-watching. Hike to the top of the spectacular 180-foot-high (54.8 meters) Dunn's River Falls waterfall or tackle the uphill challenge of Mount Zion Trail, where you’ll traverse a variety of landscapes and end in a quaint village. The team at Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa can also arrange a trip to the Green Grotto Caves, just a 50-minute drive away. Here, you’ll find stalactites, stalagmites, and several species of bats in caves that housed Jamaica’s early inhabitants before being used as a pirate’s hangout and eventually rum barrel storeroom. Back at the resort, take advantage of the secluded white-sand beach or venture into the warm Caribbean waters for kayaking, paddle boarding, or snorkeling.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

If a stateside getaway is more feasible for your crew, Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to stretch out in the sand and soak up the sun. At Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton, you can enjoy oceanfront views from the fifth-floor pool deck. You and your pals will also be within a five-minute walk of shops and restaurants, and complimentary bike rentals are available and make for a fun afternoon of cruising down the beachside sidewalk. Active travelers can get an even earlier start to their day with a sunrise yoga class. For a slightly faster pace, consider doing a Jet Ski tour or head slightly southwest for an airboat tour near Everglades National Park.

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