Top international spring break destinations: 2026 guide

Spring break travel isn’t just crowded beaches and all-night parties. Savvy travelers know that March and April offer that perfect sweet spot when prices drop and crowds thin in some of the most popular spring break destinations worldwide.

Whether you're taking a family trip or going abroad to make memories with your friends, here are the best international spring break destinations, from Puerto Rico to Bali.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

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Table of contents
Best international spring break destinations for families Best international spring break destinations for adults Best international spring break destinations for college students Going abroad? Make sure to take a Wise Multi-Currency Card with you Tips for a successful spring break trip

Best international spring break destinations for families

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1. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the perfect spring break destination for adventurous families that love nature.

The Arenal region offers volcano views with ziplines, and many of them accommodate young children. Manuel Antonio National Park is a great kid-friendly spot for hiking, and the country's "pura vida" attitude extends to family dining, with most restaurants welcoming children and offering simple options that even picky eaters will love.

2. Turks and Caicos

One of the best international spring break destinations for families, these islands offer the Caribbean's clearest waters without the spring break party scene.

Grace Bay's shallow, waveless beach stretches for miles with soft sand perfect for building sandcastles. Snorkeling spots like Bight Reef sit just offshore, which is convenient for young swimmers. Many resorts have kids' clubs, or you can rent a villa for more space and privacy.

3. Italy

Spring is a lovely time in Italy before summer crowds arrive. You can visit Rome for its art and history, go on a traffic-free gondola tour in Venice, or lounge on the Amalfi Coast. Wherever you are, you'll likely find family cooking classes that'll teach your children to make pasta from scratch or pizza with local ingredients.

Speaking of food, very few kids (or adults) don't love Italian cuisine! If your family is not into art, making the trip to try authentic Italian dishes and lounge on cobblestone streets while eating gelato might still be well worth it.

4. United Kingdom

London and Oxford are wonderful spring break destinations for families who enjoy learning and intellectual activities. Many of London's museums have interactive experiences that children will love, including the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.

Just an hour from London, Christ Church College is the real-life inspiration for Harry Potter's Hogwarts with themed stays that children (and their parents!) will remember for years to come.

5. Greece

Greek islands have the perfect temperatures for exploration in spring before the summer heat arrives. Rhodes offers medieval streets and warm beaches, Crete has Minoan ruins, and Athens's Acropolis is pleasant to visit without the scorching sun.

Plus, island-hopping becomes manageable with reduced ferry crowds and accommodating locals not yet exhausted by peak season.

Best international spring break destinations for adults

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1. Japan

Japan's cherry blossom season is in full swing during spring break, and Tokyo's Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden turn into the perfect spots for picnics (with some sake involved, of course!). Spring also means comfortable temperatures for exploring ancient Kyoto temples without summer's humidity or winter's chill.

Don't leave without trying authentic udon, soba, tempura, and other Japanese dishes!

2. Portugal

Portugal delivers European sophistication without the French prices or Italian crowds, especially during spring. One of the best spring break destinations for adults, Lisbon's hilly streets offer incredible views, and the Algarve coast warms enough for beach days by late March. You can also take surfing lessons at beaches like Cascais or Ericeira.

3. Bali

Bali in spring is the sweet spot between the rainy season and the peak tourist influx. You can enjoy morning yoga sessions in open-air pavilions overlooking the jungle, luxurious spa treatments, beach clubs, and delicious food.

Bali is one of the cheapest international spring break destinations, and even luxury villas with private pools are surprisingly affordable. If you've been craving a slow-paced vacation in nature, this might be just the spot for you.

4. Spain

Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, and it's the perfect place to visit in spring, whether you're traveling solo or with friends.

Gaudí's masterpieces, including Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló, will impress architecture and art lovers. Barceloneta shores host volleyball games, and you'll find many beach bars serving delicious fresh seafood and strong drinks.

Just an hour north, the Costa Brava coastline offers charming small towns to visit, such as Cadaqués, Salvador Dali's longtime inspiration.

5. Thailand

Bangkok is an affordable and fun destination in Thailand, famous for its street food and big city energy. Explore the Grand Palace and nearby Wat Pho to see the massive reclining Buddha. After dark, rooftop bars are great for panoramic city views, and food markets hit the spot with the perfect pad thai and mango sticky rice for dessert.

If you're more interested in the beach scene, visit Phuket, Thailand's largest island. You'll find nightlife in Patong and seafood shacks in Nai Harn serving fresh catches. You can also visit ethical elephant sanctuaries and jungle ziplines.

Best international spring break destinations for college students

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1. Dominican Republic

Punta Cana is a famous international spring break destination that gives college students exactly what they want: affordable all-inclusive resorts along miles of white sand beaches. If you're going as a group, you'll save money with packages that cover rooms, food, and drinks at one predictable price.

You'll also find nightlife within walking distance, with clubs like Coco Bongo and Imagine featuring good DJs. During the day, you can take a boat trip to go snorkeling and visit the Saona Island Natural Pool.

2. Mexico

Cancún fills up every spring as its Hotel Zone welcomes thousands of college students looking for sun and parties. The strip's all-inclusive resorts are perfect for spring breakers with pool parties that start at noon and run until sunset.

Big clubs like Coco Bongo fit hundreds of people with shows and DJs, and Cancún's beaches have soft white sand and bright blue water perfect for volleyball games or hanging under umbrellas.

3. Bahamas

Nassau hits the right mix of structure and freedom for college spring breakers with its Paradise Island hub just minutes from downtown. Atlantis Resort is the main attraction with its huge pool complex and casino access.

Downtown Nassau has parties at waterfront bars, and the drinking age of 18 draws American students who are not yet 21.

4. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn't technically an international spring break destination, but it feels like one. At the same time, you don't need a passport, all places accept USD (so you won't lose money on currency exchange), and you'll get domestic flight pricing from most cities.

Beachfront locations offer easy walks to restaurants and nightlife, ranging from casual beach bars to nicer clubs. You can also explore Old San Juan's colorful old buildings for a change of scenery.

5. Guatemala

Antigua gives budget-minded college travelers a different kind of spring break, mixing culture with adventure at prices far below Caribbean costs. You can hike nearby volcanoes or even do overnight camping, which arguably can make for better stories than standard beach parties.

Affordable hostels sit within walking distance of bars for when you want to party. The real-world experience and much lower prices appeal to students wanting something more unique than just enjoying the beach.

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Tips for a successful spring break trip

Successfully planning an international spring break requires more work than domestic travel, but experiencing new cultures is worth it for most people. Here are a few tips for a smooth overseas adventure:

• Book flights and accommodations 2 to 3 months in advance for the best availability and pricing
• Check your passport expiration date; many countries require your ID to be valid for at least 6 months
• Purchase travel insurance covering medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage
• Let your bank know that you'll be traveling so that they don't freeze your cards
• Bring a mix of payment methods, such as a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card and local currency in cash
• Skip airport currency exchanges; you can order foreign currency from your bank before you go, or use Wise for better rates

Spring break is the perfect window to explore international destinations with better value and fewer crowds than peak travel seasons. Whether you're traveling with family, a group of friends, or solo, there are options for all kinds of budgets and interests.

One of the biggest expenses that spring break travelers overlook is currency exchange rate markups. Banks and currency exchange booths often charge 3% or more above the mid-market rate, plus transaction fees. These hidden expenses can quickly eat into your travel budget.

Wise is an easy way to spend money in 150+ countries with low fees and no exchange rate markups. With the Wise Mulit-Currency Card, you can also pay and withdraw cash worldwide without any foreign transaction fees.

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