by Laura Lee Winger

Created on: March 13, 2009

Two words: mosquito repellent. Standard travel advice applies when planning a trip to Cancun, an incredibly popular spring break destination. But hang out on the beach during sunset (or sunrise), and the memories of your trip will have you reacting the same way I do when I hear the name Cancun:

Flashbacks of running along the beach to the hotel, barely making progress forward as each step sunk back into the sand, whipping hands around wildly trying to break free of the plague of mosquitoes swarming on and around my body, haunt me to this day. We were breathing them in, sucking them in and swallowing them, the air was so dense with the tiny, itch-inducing demons. When we got back to the hotel, we counted, 25, 37, 49 mosquito bites on each of us. Not the best way to start our exciting spring break adventure, but we learned our lesson, don't be outside without mosquito repellent during sunrise or sunset.

Beyond bringing mosquito repellent, you'll need anti-itch cream for when you do get bit, sunscreen to prevent burning, aloe vera for when you burn anyways, and bottled water. You can buy most of this (especially the bottled water) at local gift shops, convenience stores, or at Wal-mart (which is merely a very convenient and inexpensive bus ride away). You'll also want to have cash on you pretty much all the time, and it's best to hide various amounts of cash in different places on your person, like your sock or shoe.

As I said, standard travel advice applies, so stick together, scope out the area, decide on a small handful of activities you want to do, and in general, make smart decisions about your personal safety.

If you plan to drink until you announce that you love everyone you are with and claim that you are "sotally tober", I would also suggest that you purchase alcohol from Wal-mart when you get your bottled water, and do some pre-drinking before going to the bars and clubs. Better yet, figure out which bars and clubs you plan to hit that evening, and determine whether or not the cover charge includes drinks. Some clubs in Cancun had a cover over $40, but had unlimited drinks, in which case, you may not want to pre-drink. Be advised, also, that some hotels in Cancun do not allow food or drinks to be stored in the rooms, so be aware when bringing food and drinks back to the hotel.

The great thing about party places like Cancun is that you can go with friends and have no plan, and have a great time. Having said that, a little planning can make for an even more enjoyable trip. Look into all-inclusive packages, booze cruises, and tours. Chichen Itza is a popular tourist attraction, but it will cost you pretty much an entire day, so plan on it only if you have the time. Party scene must-see's include Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Senor Frog's, and Coco Bongo (the bar/club/show with Beetlejuice and Michael Jackson impersonators). There are also plenty of recognizable chain restaurants (Outback, T.G.I. Friday's, etc.) to eat at. For an example of the activities available, the booze cruise we took from our hotel boasted unlimited alcohol on board, a boat trip to the beautiful shores of Isla Mujeres, where we took photos holding a shark, ate a "traditional" Mexican buffet and could tour the little town and buy souvenirs, then got back on the boat for some parasailing on the way back to the hotel, all for a reasonable price (about $30 40 per person).

Be safe, have fun, and don't forget to catch your flight back home (whoops, yes my trip ended with a minor disaster too missing our plane). With a little bit of preparation and planning, and consciously safe decisions, you and your friends will have a blast during Spring Break in Cancun.

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