Never Fear – Spring Break is Near

Spring Break is coming to Cabo San Lucas at the end of this month and for all of March and some of April. Many locals, merchants, bars, clubs and resorts fear the Spring Breakers that will be descending upon us, but is this fear justified?

In interviewing a company, CaboSpringBreak.com, that specializes in Spring Break tours only in Cabo and is the largest of such tour companies in Cabo, I found out some very interesting information. One of the reasons I wanted to speak with Jason Hollander of Cabo Spring Break.com is that on our website BajaInsider.com last year, we received a lot of inquiries from students and non-students that want to come here during the time of Spring Break but they have little interest in the out of control partying that has become synonymous with Spring Break in places like, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Cancun, Mexico.

I’ve responded to those inquiries telling them there are plenty of wonderful places, activities, restaurants and clubs that don’t just cater to the Spring Breakers during spring. In fact I have found through my 17 years here in Baja Sur that the spring break is really only celebrated wildly in the Medano beach bars and some clubs, and that it really is not like other cities that are literally turned upside down by Springbreakers.

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The CSB.com Company and clients set a good example and they have even been invited by the US consulate of Cancun to create an operation there to help them with their problems. Jason refused as he wanted to stay focused on creating a quality experience in one place, Cabo San Lucas. Jason has had many clients that not only regularly come back to Cabo but that have purchased timeshares and homes here after they have graduated.

When asked, Mike Houston, the U. S Consulate in Cabo San Lucas confirmed what Hollander had offered

While many students come here on their own from all parts of the world, including Mexico itself, a major portion come here on packages sold by this 15 year old company. I interviewed Hollander who started the company, while he was a student at USC and found that they have a very high end clientele. In fact they work hard to filter out the younger and economy type students looking just to raise some hell on this world famous vacation.

Hollander explained that they have the reputation for being the “Rolls Royce” of Spring Break Vacations. His clients include students from universities like Stanford, Berkley, USC and even the Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale and Princeton to name just a few. Jason being a graduate of marketing, surveys his clients heavily and has found where they like to go. His results show that while the students do come to party, many do make use of the higher end restaurants like Nik San which is a real favorite, as well as Cabo Wabo, Alexander’s, Edith’s, Mi Casa, Romeo and Juliet’s for some examples. Jason said also that Japango which is the sushi bar located at the Nowhere Bar is also very popular as well as the Nowhere bar itself. This year they are also recommending, the Mambo Café, Niki Beach and the new bar, Passion as places to party. None of these establishments are the “cheaper” places to eat, drink or party in Cabo.

Jason has worked proactively with the US Consulates, police, local hotels, resorts, nightclubs and merchants for the last 15 years to avoid many of the problems associated with spring breakers in other areas of the world. In 15 years not one of his clients has ended up in jail and the US consulates office really appreciates his help in making sure the students have a great time while respecting the laws and more importantly the culture of Mexico. He offers a list to the consulate of his clients and educates the students as to how to behave.

When asked about Cancun coming to Cabo, Hollander said he really doesn’t feel that there will be that many added trouble makers and feels that his company has been “painted with a wide brush stroke” when it comes to Spring Break in Cabo. He feels that his company is guilty by association but in reality because of his clientele I believe we are lucky to have Cabo Spring Break.com doing such a great job of bringing quality students, customers, here on packages

and said, other consulates such as in Cancun are jealous of him and the lack of problems that he has during this time of year.” Houston also said that he is a little concerned this year about the “displaced Cancun” visitors that may come here on their own, but he also confirmed that flights are not cheap at this time of year. He himself needs to travel to the U.S. at this time and says he very surprised to see the rate hike on airfares. This also happened to be the case with my nephew, who is in the Air force Academy in Colorado Springs. He was planning on being here for Spring Break but many of his friends could not justify the airfare.

Cabo Spring Break.com has worked hard over the years to create the best of VIP style tours and has had incredible repeat business because of it. His clients are so satisfied that now many of the students even though they have graduated; they still come to his company to put together events such as corporate retreats and weddings. They have had several graduates ask them to put these non-spring break packages together and at first Jason resisted. But after having been convinced to do put on a very large and expensive wedding for some alumni that actually met here on one of his tours, he found that with his contacts it went very well.

Jason explained that he has almost 80% women on his tours and a large amount of graduate students. While, his packages are very reasonably priced; the fact that CSB really only markets to the higher end, filters out the economy clients. Many of his clients reserve snorkeling trips, sailing charters, off road excursions, ATV tours, wave runners, golf, and fishing boats while they are here. None of these activities are for the economy style spring breakers just looking for cheap beer. His clients are also known to shop at La Femme and other jewelry shops as well as frequent the Puerto Paraiso mall while here. I also spoke with Frank Rowden of Cabo Sports and La Princessa sailing charters and he explained that they are happy to have the Springbreakers but have had a few instances of where the students didn’t mix well with the families on his sunset cruises. For this reason, this year he has created a new Party Princess cruise, specifically for students and for any of those that prefer to be a little wilder and therefore not offend his other clients.

So if you have a fear that Spring Break is near and here comes trouble, you might want to think again. While there will always be those that cause trouble the truth is springbreakers are good business for Los Cabos and when done right the trouble may be minimized.