Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán offers a glimpse of what spring break can look like beyond the usual hotspots.
For many people across the country, it’s been a brutal winter. If basking in sunny locales is on your mind, you can trade winter for warmth during spring break. For most, spring break is about spending time with family and friends — but parents also want to make sure their precious PTO is something they can enjoy too. We’ve rounded up some destinations with perks for kids and adults, and the best part: these vacations are not the usual spring break suspects.
Horsing Around in Ocala for Spring Break
While most make a beeline for Florida’s beaches or theme parks, we’re making a case for spring break in Florida’s horse country of Ocala. And particularly the World Equestrian Center, the largest equestrian complex in the nation.
The Equestrian Hotel at World Equestrian Center blends refined design with the elegance of Florida’s horse country.
Guests can choose between two distinct on-property stays: The Equestrian Hotel, a luxurious stay with an elegant horse-and-hunt décor, and top dining options like a French bakery and an award-winning Southern steakhouse; or The Riding Academy Hotel, which lends more to families and a pet-friendly stay, with suites that feature separate living areas and pull-out couches. Splash around in the pools, scoot around the expansive grounds by golf cart or on foot, and adults can indulge in pampering at Calluna Spa.
Family-friendly pools at The Riding Academy Hotel offer a relaxed place to cool off between exploring the expansive grounds.
The new Equestrian Manor offers four new dining concepts led by James Beard-recognized chefs, including two rooftop restaurants. Ocala is also a nature and adventure lovers’ paradise, with activities that include the famous glass-bottom boat tours at Silver Springs State Park, kayaking through crystal-clear springs, or ziplining over limestone canyons at The Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park.
The newly opened Equestrian Manor introduces additional dining, design and gathering spaces to the World Equestrian Center.
Dining at The Polo Pony pairs delicious food with Ocala’s deep-rooted equestrian culture. Stop and Stay For Free In Panama
In this economy, we’re all looking for a deal, and two destinations for the price of one sounds like a budget-savvy win. Thanks to Copa Airlines’ Panama Stopover Program, travelers can schedule a layover in Panama for up to seven days, while en route or returning from destinations like Colombia, Argentina and Brazil — without paying for extra airfare. Stay for a night or schedule a longer vacation to explore more of the stunning landscapes that make Panama so special.
Panama’s Stopover Program allows travelers to explore the country for up to seven days at no additional airfare.
Panama City is a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic gems like the old town of Casco Antiguo, and of course, the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. Panama is also home to pristine beaches like the San Blas Islands, and rainforests teeming with wildlife. The Panama Stopover Program now has partnerships with local hotels, restaurants, and attractions, which means they can pass along special discounts and curated experiences to passengers.
Panama strikes the perfect balance between rainforest landscapes and coastline. Alternative to Mexico’s Crowded Spring Break Hotspots
Cancun. Cabo. The Riviera Maya. You’ve marked off the big Spring Break party spots, but maybe you’re more mature now, trading tequila shots for wellness shots, and family time for late nights out. For something off-the-touristy-radar, Mazatlán, located along Mexico’s stunning Pacific Coast, is known for its beaches, standout seafood, oceanfront boardwalk and the cobblestone streets of Old Town. Plus, it’s considered more affordable than a lot of the popular Mexican destinations. Stay at the newish Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort, an all-inclusive luxury resort that’s located in a gated community about 10 to 15 minutes from the airport.
Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán sits along a wide stretch of Pacific coastline, offering an all-inclusive escape away from crowded resort zones.
Kids will love it for the on-site water park with a lazy river, multiple beachfront pools, and dedicated clubs for kids and teens. Parents can sneak away to the adults-only section with a pool and swim-up bars, or retreat to the spa fitted with a Turkish bath, hydrotherapies and Swiss showers.
Book It to Bonaire
If the turquoise waters of the Caribbean are calling your name, consider Bonaire as your spring break brag. Located in the southern Caribbean Sea and part of the ABC island group (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), it’s an island that many still don’t know about — yet it offers so much for families who love the water and the outdoors. And did we mention there are pink flamingos and fascinating salt pans on the island? Vacationers can be as booked and busy as they like, with outstanding snorkeling and diving sites, many of which are located directly from shore.
Resort pools offer a peaceful place to unwind after a day on the water.
Bonaire is also a leading destination for Junior Open Water certification (ages 10+), so the kids can return home with an extra skill from their spring break escape. The steady trade winds also make it a killer spot for learning to windsurf or kitesurf in the shallow protected Lac Bay. The Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is a good home for families with one- to three-bedroom suites with kitchens, multiple dining options, and easy access to water and land-based activities. Getting there is easy with nonstop flights from Miami, New York, Atlanta, Houston and Toronto.
Steady trade winds and shallow waters make Bonaire a top destination for windsurfing and water sports. First All-Inclusive in Port St. Lucie, Florida
While Port St. Lucie on Florida’s Treasure Coast, about 45 minutes from Palm Beach, may be overlooked for other popular Florida destinations, there’s a new reason to go. Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort is the first all-inclusive property in the U.S. by IHG Hotels & Resorts, and the riverfront property now sports a $50 million transformation with activities for both families and couples.
The main pool at Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort anchors the newly reimagined riverfront property in Port St. Lucie. Voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort
Space is key for families, with one- and two-bedroom accommodations boasting resort and water views, and a family pool with a new kids’ splash pad. There’s also an adults-only infinity pool. Explore the waterways on kayaks and paddle boards, and let the kiddos play at the arcade and the new mini-golf course. Guests also have access to the resort’s Sandpiper Bay Marina for boating and fishing excursions along the St. Lucie Inlet.
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 5:19 PM.
Miami Herald
With an insatiable passion for discovering new destinations and adventure, Angela Caraway-Carlton is a South Florida-based freelance journalist who focuses on travel, luxury lifestyle trends, design and beauty/wellness. For a decade, she produced the popular lifestyle segment “Style File” at WSVN-Channel 7 in Miami, and now contributes to local and national publications including the Miami Herald, Luxe Interiors Miami + Palm Beach, Venice Fort Lauderdale, Gulfshore Life, Modern Luxury, Good Grit and more. She is an on-air travel host for YachtLife TV. This author occasionally receives complementary travel. Her reporting is conducted independently and all story decisions are her own.