This is the most popular spring break destination — it’s also the least safe

Alex Mitchell
·3 min read
120
Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras
A new report has found New Orleans to be the top spring break destination of 2024 -- and the most dangerous. AirportParkingReservations also reveals the safest spring break spots.

It’s good to be king?

A new report has found New Orleans to be the top spring break destination of 2024 — and the most dangerous.

The Saints-loving Who Dat Louisiana city — known for raucous Mardi Gras parties and frisky Bourbon Street — saw 931,680 spring break-related searches from February to May 2023, according to the study from AIrportParkingReservations.com.

It was the most popular search term in 34 states, including in New York and Pennsylvania.

However, New Orleans also had the worst safety scores, especially for nighttime, out of all the popular spring break destinations included in the study.

New Orleans was ranked as both the most popular and most dangerous spring break getaway in a new study. REUTERS
New Orleans was ranked as both the most popular and most dangerous spring break getaway in a new study. REUTERS

In 2022, New Orleans had the highest murder rate in the US.

However, homicides dropped 27% last year, from 266 in 2022 to 193 in 2023.

After New Orleans, the four most popular spring break destinations are Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Las Vegas; Maui, Hawaii; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, according to AirportParkingReservations.com.

Las Vegas — the host to Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII — bolstered its attractiveness in recent months with the September opening of the futuristic, Madison Square Garden-built Sphere concert venue and its November debut as the venue for a Formula One Grand Prix race.

Fort Lauderdale was ranked as one of the safest places to go on spring break. CrackerClips – stock.adobe.com
Fort Lauderdale was ranked as one of the safest places to go on spring break. CrackerClips – stock.adobe.com

Besides New Orleans, the four most dangerous spring break destinations are San Juan, Puerto Rico; Nassau, the Bahamas; Maui; and Montego Bay, Jamaica, according to AirportParkingReservations.com.

In February 2023, three American tourists were stabbed in Old San Juan after they were told to stop filming in the La Perla neighborhood made famous by Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” music video.

Meanwhile, the Bahamas and Jamaica were recently put on travel advisories by the US State Department, which noted increasing violent crime in both countries.

Local officials blasted the warnings.

For its part, Maui had a high daytime safety score but ranked lower than Montego Bay for nighttime safety in the study.

Some of the safest spring break getaways are found on the US coasts.

California’s sunny San Diego came in at No. 3, while Florida’s Key West (No. 2) and Fort Lauderdale (No. 5) found places on the list despite viral videos of beachside brawls last March.

Internationally, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico is listed as the safest.

The most dangerous spring break destinations

In 2022, New Orleans had the highest murder rate in the US; however, homicides dropped by 27% in the city last year. AFP/Getty Images
In 2022, New Orleans had the highest murder rate in the US; however, homicides dropped by 27% in the city last year. AFP/Getty Images

  • New Orleans, Louisiana

  • San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • Nassau, the Bahamas

  • Maui, Hawaii

  • Montego Bay, Jamaica

The safest spring break destinations

Key West is ranked as the No. 2 spring break destination in terms of safety. GC Images
Key West is ranked as the No. 2 spring break destination in terms of safety. GC Images

  • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

  • Key West, Florida

  • San Diego, California

  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The most popular spring break destinations

Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations for spring break, according to research. AP
Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations for spring break, according to research. AP

  • New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

  • Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Maui, Hawaii

  • Cabo San Lucas, Mexico