With spring break lingering just weeks away for University of Wisconsin students, many are finalizing plans and heading off to exotic hot spots such as the ever popular Cancun, Mexico. But many students may be in for a slight surprise when laws regarding partying become stricter this time around.
A majority of the Caribbean resorts’ hotels, bars and clubs that are often filled with college students come spring break have signed what is called a “civility agreement.” This agreement will be used to enforce laws that many believe have been ignored in past years, such as illegal nudity and underage drinking.
UW freshman Laura Sitzberger is venturing to Cancun for her break this year and said she is skeptical whether an agreement of this sort is really necessary. She also wonders whether it will work.
“They will probably try to enforce these rules, but it’s eventually going to backfire,” Sitzberger said. “It’s crazy down there, but as for drinking, most of the people vacationing there are college-age students who are of legal drinking age in Mexico.”
Cancun is expecting approximately 40,000 college students this spring break, one-third fewer than last year and 100,000 less than the peak of 140,000 students in 1998 and 1999.
“I’m really excited for Cancun,” Sitzberger said. “So many people have gone there and said they had an awesome time. There’s always something to do … always something going on, and the beaches are beautiful. You’re just guaranteed to have a really good time and a wonderful spring break in Cancun.”
Although many students may label Cancun as the most common spring break location, Daytona Beach, Fla., expects approximately 150,000 students during March and April. But this popular travel spot, with an American legal code, is also cracking down on college students’ explicit behavior with new laws banning thong bikinis and other “super revealing” attire in public places.
On-street alcohol consumption will also be banned for anyone with open alcohol within 100 feet of Atlantic Avenue in Daytona. Police say they are extending this restriction to prevent partiers from consuming alcohol in parking lots and other areas near large events.
Fort Lauderdale has taken different measures to ensure a less rowdy crowd this break. Police there are restraining the number of students permitted to party on the beach this March and April. Officials expect just 15,000 students, a number that comforts them after they were forced to cope with the overwhelming number of students who arrived ready to party a number of years ago.
Attendance came to an all-time high in 1985, when 350,000 spring breakers traveled to Fort Lauderdale’s sunny beaches. Soon afterward, the drinking age was raised to 21, the city erected barricades to prevent cruising and the mayor made a TV appearance to officially revoke the welcome of these wild teens.
UW will be sending a total of 340 students to Cancun and Acapulco through UW’s Travel Center. One hundred and seventy students will be allowed to go on each trip. According to Travel Center employees, few spots remain. However, many agencies offer trips to Mexico and other popular spring-break spots.
