Cancun and Punta Cana Lead Spring Break Travel, but There’s a Surprise Beach Destination Surging: Antalya, Turkey

Expedia® released its annual Spring Travel Outlook, the ultimate planning guide for spring break escapes. This year’s report highlights how last-minute planners can score deals, a surprise Mediterranean beach destination, the cheapest days to travel, and the most affordable destinations.

Top Spring Break Destinations
- Cancun remains the #1 international favorite.
- Punta Cana and other Caribbean spots like Montego Bay (+105%), Bahamas (+60%), and Cayman Islands (+25%) are trending strongly.
- Antalya, Turkey is the surprise global riser, with a 920% surge in searches. It’s being discovered by more U.S. travelers as a Mediterranean beach hub offering Spain/Italy-style experiences but with fewer crowds and better value.

Trending U.S. Destinations
- Memphis (+95%) leads domestic growth.
- Hawaii (+70%), Rehoboth Beach (+65%), Boise (+65%), and the Grand Canyon (+55%) show rising interest, especially for nature-driven getaways.

Cheapest Days to Fly
- April 27–28 are the lowest-cost travel days, right after school breaks end.

Affordable Flight Destinations (under $600)
- Domestic: Maui (HI), Page (AZ), Bar Harbor (ME).
- International: Tobago, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, and Greek islands (Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu).

Affordable Stays (under $200/night)
- International: Kos, Rhodes, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, Bonaire, Santo Domingo.
- Domestic: Panama City (FL), Amarillo (TX), Idaho Falls (ID), Fayetteville (NC), Colorado Springs (CO), Portland (OR).

Smart Travel Tips
- Use Flight Deals and the new map discovery tool.
- Bundle hotel + flight for savings.
- Set Price Alerts and add Price Drop Protection.
- Book during Expedia’s Annual Vacation Sale (up to 40% off, until March 16, 2026).

Antalya’s rise is particularly interesting—it signals a shift where U.S. travelers are looking beyond the Caribbean for spring warmth and value.