Spring Break may very well turn out to be the best time of your life, and chances are you won't have any trouble. Nonetheless we felt it important to offer some safety and travel advice to Breakers. Following these tips can help save you from having your dream vacation turned into a nightmare, so listen up!

Going by Plane?

If you're flying make sure you know how to get to your hotel from the airport. Make sure you have the phone number to your hotel or resort. In many cases they can arrange to have a taxi come and get you and bring you to the hotel. Some resorts and hotels offer a shuttle service that can help you out. This is good advice for anytime you become lost, or need a lift back.

Talk to other Spring Breakers online who have been before and know their way around. These are good folks to know and hang out with on break.

Your Papers Please?

Whenever traveling abroad make sure you have all necessary documentation for identification. A raised-seal birth certificate, and/or better yet, a passport will ensure you can get back on to U.S. soil. It's a good idea to check things out with the U.S. consulate of the country you're visiting. Check out www.state.gov/travel

Check the Legal Drinking Age

Drinking is definitely an important Spring Break activity but consider this: If you're 18 or younger do not assume that the county you're visiting will allow you entry to clubs and bars just because you're not in America. Make sure you know the legal drinking age of the country your in, or you're gonna spend a lot of time flicking paper footballs in your hotel room.

Drugs

Drugs? Bad idea. Most countries outside the U.S. consider anyone 16 or older to be an adult. Penalties for drug possession can be extremely severe. Unless you're prepared to spend a night in the Mexican pokey, which I gather is not any fun at all, just lay off the drugs.

Let Someone Know

Before you leave let everyone know (yes, even mom and dad), where you'll be staying and when you can be expected to return. It'd be nice to know somebody's looking for you if you end up in a bad way and don't show up.

It also might be a good idea to check with your insurance company to see what coverage if any you can expect to get while traveling abroad. Call 'em up and ask.

Pack Your Things

What to pack? First off, make sure you have your drivers license and passport. Make copies of them as well. Do not lose these. You might even check and see if the hotel or resort you're staying in will let you keep copies of them in their safe.

Money? You'll definitely need money(duh?), but don't carry around a lot of large bills. Smaller bills are better for tipping, food, and souvenirs anyway. Don't go flashing large amounts of cash! Major credit cards are handy, but don't bring any cards that you won't be using. It's just more to keep track of.

In Case of Emergency

Need help? Remember that in Mexico dial 080 for emergencies. Dialing 911 just won't work. Find out if and what the emergency number for the country and locality you're visiting is and memorize it, or better yet write it down and keep it handy. As a matter of fact carry with you a list of all important numbers. Call back home to the States from time to time to check in, and make sure you have the number to your hotel and a reliable taxi service on hand. It's also a good idea to have the number for the U.S. Consulate when traveling abroad. Check out www.911dispatch.com/911/ for a list of emergency numbers world wide.

Also heed this reminder about cell phones from one of our members. Cell phones will not work outside the country, so calling cards are a must have item.

Fun in the sun?

Don't forget to bring some sun screen, and a long sleeved shirt in case it gets to be too much. Don't necessarily assume that you can get what you need when you get there. Pack some aloe lotion too for burns. Remember to bring the shades, and make sure they're UV rated. The darker the better.

Medication

Do you take any meds? Make sure you bring them with you in the prescription bottle they came in and not in some little baggy. This will help you past the customs official who will want to know what they are. Also, don't forget to bring some pepto and aspirin. You and your friends might want some after a long night out.

Sex

Birth Control and Condoms? Definitely bring these along no matter what your intentions before you leave. Can you say "STD"? That would really suck. Remember that birth control pills can increase your sensitivity to the sun!

Drinking

And now..Drinking. First off, try to remember that alcohol is not a thirst quencher. Dehydration sickness will certainly spoil the party for you. Make sure to drink plenty of cold water in addition to the boos. If you're getting dizzy, weak, or feel like you might pass out, think if you've had enough water. Always drink plenty of water or non-caffinated beverages before you go out to party, and alternate the boos with non-alchoholic drinks while you're partying. This will also save you from a nasty hangover. Don't mix your drinks. Whatever you're drinking it's better to stick with that, and don't forget to eat something. Know you limits and stick to them. It's easy to go overboard when there's liquor everywhere, and it only takes a few drinks too many to turn a great time into a sickening evening. Tragically, Breakers die every year from alcohol poisoning. So take it easy. Don't spend your Spring Break dead. Keep an eye on your drink too. It's easy for someone to slip something into your glass when your back's turned. Don't share open drinks with people you don't know.

Be Cool

Lastly, remember that you're a guest in a foreign country, and to show the proper respect to locals and others you meet. No matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are, it's a universal truth - nobody likes an asshole. If you're in trouble you need people on your side. So, I know it's a cliché, but try to treat other people the way you'd like to be treated.

Have a safe and fun trip!

Got more Safe Trip ideas? Send them to us. You'll be helping your fellow Breakers to have a better, safer trip.