If you haven't already made spring break reservations for Cancun, South Padre Island, San Diego or Jamaica, don't plan on packing your bags.
Frances Dew, manager of STA Travel's New Mexico office on Central Avenue, cautions spring break travelers against planning their "get-away" too late in the year.
"If students are serious about having a worthwhile spring break, then they need to plan their trips far in advance, like when they are signing up for classes," Dew said.
Airlines and hotels increase their prices closer to spring break, she said, and students won't be able to take advantage of lower priced accommodations if they wait until closer to the vacation.
"Travel agencies have contracted with airlines to offer incredible student prices, but they've got to act early," Dew said.
Paul DuBruille, owner of Bolack Total Travel on Montgomery Boulevard, said students who are interested in traveling internationally need to plan six months in advance.
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"Tourists will need possible visas and passports to get into the country and those take four to six weeks to arrive in the mail," DuBruille said. "Additionally, shots and vaccinations may be needed in order to enter the country."
He said vacationers should also keep in mind that international travel could take away a day and a half of the trip because of the airline schedules and layovers.
DuBruille warned travelers against seeking travel plans on the Internet. He said he has seen many students who were taken advantage of or were victims of fraud.
"It's a big mess, every year we have someone come into our office that booked a flight and gave their personal information, but the company never existed," he said.
DuBruille said students should also have in mind where they want to go, how much they want to spend and what they want to do before contacting an agent.
"A travel agent can plan everything from the time of the air flight to what students will do while on vacation," he said. "We can make it a great time."
Dew said the most popular destinations used to be Las Vegas and Miami, but students are now turning towards more exotic places for their breaks.
"London, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro are among the red-hot places to go," she said. "Students are looking for interesting, non-traditional areas to enjoy."
Jessica Deluna, a junior at UNM, said she is going to Paris and booked her trip right after Sept. 11.
"My trip will be less expensive than I had originally figured. The prices were very attractive," she said.
Deluna will be taking a friend on the trip, which is going to cost her $3,000 for two people. She said outlining where they want to go and what they want to see has made their planning much easier.
"We are very excited to go and see all of the medieval art and take advantage of the culture," she said.
UNM students will be on Spring Break from March 10-17.
