Just because you're trying to save up for college doesn't mean you can't have some fun on break. But watch out: Here are ways to stay safe and avoid getting ripped off as you head south for some time off.
1. Not-so-friendly police officers
Lauren Hughes remembers her first Spring Break with her friends. It was a year ago, and she was still in high school. They had gone to an 18-and-older club in Panama, Fla. When her friend went to the bathroom, a cop immediately started banging on the door, telling her friend to leave. He thought she had been drinking underage and was getting sick.
Pretty soon, Hughes and her friend were in a manager's office trying to explain why they deserved to stay at the club where minutes before they had just spent $20 at the door.
Another hang-up with her trip was price gouging, said the Ball State magazine journalism major.
"I lost a lot of spending money," she said, referring to the $40 all-access pass that actually didn't work at all the clubs. Her friend was able to buy the same pass down the street for $25.
2. "All-inclusive" rip-offs
Be wary of the hidden costs, said Sean Connor, a junior accounting major at Ball State. Last Spring Break, he spent almost $600 more than he planned, tipping waiters at the hotel bar, buying food and other necessities.
"With alcohol, it was all-inclusive, but you have to tip pretty well or they won't serve you," he said.
3. Hotel headaches
A spokeswoman from the attorney general's office in Florida mentioned two topics that are of issue all year round: shady lodging and synthetic drug use.
Jerry Lockwood, a financial investigator in the state, said students are better off staying at a hotel or resort than renting a person's home for the week. It's easier to file a complaint and get some type of compensation when you work with a known company.
"And don't make a deposit until you know what you're getting into," Lockwood said.
If you've already put money down, don't expect to get out of it if you find a better deal.
"There is no buyer's remorse in Florida," he said.
The brighter side of trip planning
Of course, sometimes it's OK to take a chance. A little more than a year ago, Kait Bindner welcomed an Inertia Tours travel rep into her Muncie apartment to get more information about planning a trip through the company. She ended up taking their offer, and the junior travel and tourism major even became a campus rep herself.
This year, she's helped about 75 people book vacations in South Padre, Fla., and the surrounding area. As a point of reference, trips for Ball State students are $350 for a week and $250 for four days, and they include offers like VIP club access and day trips for dolphin watching and deep sea fishing. Prices vary based on how many colleges are having Spring Break that week.
Seriously, it's not too late to book a trip, she said.
"With Inertia, you can book today if you wanted to. You can book up until the day you're supposed to leave, and you can also add people to your group up until the day you leave."
4. From K2 to knock out
An annual problem in Florida, and especially vacation spots, is K2 and other drugs. Spokeswoman Jenn Meale with Attorney General Pam Bundi's office said a law was passed making the drug illegal. But a new recipe was created, and now it's back on the shelves.
"It's deadly," Meale said. "You could buy these over the counter."
But the fight isn't over. In mid-February, Bundi joined Sen. Greg Evers and Rep. Clay Ingram to advocate for a bill that would ban additional substances found in K2, which is also called Spice. The proposed legislation would make it a third-degree felony to sell, manufacture, deliver or possess the drug.
Despite the warnings and imperfections, Lockwood said he hopes students enjoy their Florida vacation.
"All the beaches are nice and clean — no more oil issues," he said. "It's 80 degrees here. You'll have a great time."
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