4 Amazing Spring Break Destinations

Trend Guides | 10th Mar 2022 | 10min read

Spring break is upon us. Got any vacay plans with your friends and family?

If not, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve scoured the country from coast to coast and found some amazing beach destinations nearby.

Before you pack your bags, sort your itinerary and book your flights, we just wanted to share with you a little tip that might come in handy for your travels — Zilch!

Zilch is a virtual Mastercard that allows you to choose the way you pay anywhere online.

With Zilch, you can split your payments into 4 installments over 6 weeks with 0% interest and 0 fees. You pay part of your purchase at checkout, then the rest over 6 weeks. Ideal for bigger buys, or if you just need a little extra time. First instalment payment varies from 25-50% depending on eligibility checks.

You can also pay in 1 to get 2% cashback in Zilch Rewards, which you can use to discount future purchases or experiences.

And yes, you could use Zilch as a payment method when booking hotels, flights, tours or shows.

Here’s a sneak peek of amazing spring break destinations you could check out:

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – A resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and social scene.

South Padre Island, Texas – A 34-mile long tropical paradise located on the Gulf Coast of Texas, South Padre Island is consistently ranked as a top beach destination by travellers across the globe.

Outer Banks, North Carolina – Their open-sea beaches, state parks and shipwreck diving sites make them a popular holiday destination.

Panama City, Florida – A waterfront town and vacation destination known for its miles of white-sand beaches fronting the calm, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Ready to plan your trip? Let this guide walk you through our top recommended destinations for spring break.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Defined by its charming beaches, Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by the picturesque Sierra Madre mountains. With lots of gastronomic options and amazing sights to check out, coming here for spring break will definitely make for a memorable experience.

This picturesque view awaits you at Puerto Vallarta.

How to get there:

You could check flight options at Kayak or United Airlines. If you want to pay only 25% of the total price of your flight tickets up front then pay the rest in 3 more instalments over 6 weeks with 0% interest and 0 fees, simply Zilch it!

Where to stay:

Tropicana Hotel

This property is 1 minute walk from the beach. This beachfront hotel overlooks Banderas Bay and is within a 10-minute drive of Puerto Vallarta.

It is located in Muerto Beach and the hotel is within a 20-minute drive of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport.

You could book your stay at Booking.com and pay in 4 or pay in 1 to get 2% cashback with Zilch!

Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences

Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences is located in Conchas Chinas, a neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta, and is in the city center and near the beach.

You could book your stay at Expedia. Why not buy now, pay later, completely interest-free with Zilch?

Things to do:

—Visit the Romantic Zone if you love Old Town vibes. This area is lined with cobblestones and surrounded by artisan shops, taco stands and lively cantinas. We recommend this Signature Taco and Street Food Tour experience that you can book via Viator and buy now, pay later or pay in full to get 2% cashback with Zilch.

—Experience Marietas Islands, small uninhabited islands located at the Bay of Banderas off Mexico’s Pacific coast. Adventures await you in this UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. We recommend this snorkel cruise that you can book via Viator and pay overtime or all in one go with Zilch.

—Head over to El Malecon to do some sightseeing and chill in cafes, explore shops, galleries and enjoy live street performances plus a bustling night life. Check out this Full Day City Highlights Tour that you can book via Viator and purchase with Zilch.

South Padre Island, Texas

South Padre Island is a tropical wonderland located off the southern tip of Texas. This barrier island offers the spectacular beauty of the Laguna Madre Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s the perfect year-round destination for visitors who want to relax, unwind and let their hair down.

South Padre is perfect for long walks on the beach.

How to get there:

While there’s no place to land on South Padre Island, there are three airports nearby: Brownsville SPI International Airport, Valley International Airport and McAllen International Airport.

You can book flights to these airports with United Airlines and Zilch your tickets or you can simply go on a road trip.

Where to stay:

Pearl South Padre

Nestled on South Padre Island’s southern tip, the Pearl South Padre hotel is a premier oceanfront resort for families, business travelers, couples, and sun-seekers who want to experience tranquil views and the soft, sandy beaches of South Texas. 

You could book using Expedia and pay in 4 or pay in 1 with Zilch.

Lighthouse Inn

This brand new hotel in South Padre Island is minutes away from most attractions like Laguna Madre Nature Trail, the Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, Museums of Port Isabel, Queen Isabella Causeway, South Padre Island Convention Center and more.

You could book your stay with Kayak and buy now, pay later with Zilch.

Things to do:

—A parasailing trip over South Padre Island is a popular choice for adventurous travelers. Once in the air, take in sweeping views of the island and surrounding natural landscape rarely seen by visitors or locals alike. Try this Parasailing Adventure offered by Viator and pay over time or in full with Zilch.

—Enjoy a one and a half hour South Padre Island Dolphin Watch aboard the newly renovated Murphy’s Law and see Atlantic Bottle-nose Dolphins in their natural habitat. Check out this 90-minute Dolphin Watch Tour at Trip.com and Zilch it!

—Golf cart rentals are the best way to soak up some sun and cruise like a local. You can take a ride though Isla Blanca Park, catch a stunning sunset on the bay, or even get to meet some world famous sea turtles. Try this Golf Cart Experience which you could book via Trip.com and pay in 4 or pay in 1 with Zilch.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks of North Carolina offers a welcome relief from crowded cities and overrun vacation spots. In fact, you won’t find any cities on the Outer Banks, just 100+ miles of wide-open shoreline, charming seaside villages, and a mix of towns brimming with personality and fascinating connections to our nation’s history.

At the Outer Banks, you can escape into the serene seaside.

How to get there:

If you’re thinking of flying in, there are plenty of options to choose from at Expedia and of course, you could choose the way you pay with Zilch. You can opt to drive there too.

Where to stay:

Hatteras Island Inn

The Inn is nestled in the village of Buxton on Hatteras Island, often referred to as “The Outer Banks”. The hotel sits on the beach side of Highway 12 and is only steps away from the beach. You could book your stay on Booking.com and Zilch it!

Towneplace Suites by Marriott

This beachside hotel is located in the heart of the major attractions such as the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Cape Hatteras, Corolla, Ocracoke and Roanoke Island. You could book your stay on Marriot and Zilch it!

What to do:

—Get in touch with your wild side. Explore Alligator River’s flora and fauna aboard a kayak and discover the natural habitat of snowy egrets, great blue herons and turtles through this Alligator River Kayak Adventure available to book on Viator. Why not buy now, pay later with Zilch?

—Take an evening stroll through the Historic Waterfront of Old Manteo. Explore 400+ years of living history as he shares with guests an entertaining mix of the many “firsts”, lore, tales & history that make Dare County “The Land of Beginnings” through this Manteo Historic Walking Tour that you could book via Viator and pay in 4 or pay in 1 with Zilch.

— Travel by open-air 4-wheel drive vehicle along the sand dunes and ocean to view the wild horses. Along the way, you’ll also hear about the history and ecology of the island, stop for photo ops of the horses and other points of interests with this Wild Horse Tour that you could book via Viator and purchase using Zilch!

Panama City, Florida

Panama City Beach was named the top 3 beach in the US by TripAdvisor, has 27-miles of beautiful beaches to choose from and you’ll find a different experience at each stop along the way. Explore as much of you can and sample some delicious food. If you love long walks along the beach, you won’t find a better beach for it!

Enjoy the sun, sand and sea at Panama City Beach.

How to get there:

You could fly in and check multiple options at Expedia. With Zilch, you can pay in 4 installments with 0% interest and 0 fees or pay in 1 to get 2% cashback in Zilch Rewards.

Where to stay:

Boardwalk Beach Hotel

Nestled on the beach, this Panama City Beach hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Thomas Drive, Ripley’s Believe It or Not and WonderWorks. Shipwreck Island Waterpark is a 5-minute drive away. You could book your stay at Kayak and choose the way you pay with Zilch.

Baymont by Wyndham

Located in Long Beach, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, WonderWorks and Coconut Creek Family Fun Park. Shipwreck Island Waterpark and Pier Park are 10 minutes away by car. You could book your stay at Kayak and Zilch it!

What to do:

— Spend a few hours out on the water off Panama City Beach’s coast and spot local marine wildlife such as dolphins, manta rays, manatees, and sea turtles through this Daytime Catamaran Sailing Cruise that you could book via Viator. Why not Zilch it too?

—Enjoy serene views of St. Andrews Bay while taking part in a unique yoga outdoor experience. Be in complete commune with nature through this Yoga by the Bay experience offered by Trip.com. And, yes, you could Zilch with no fees and no interest. Ever.

— Go on a safe, fun, 8-mile bike tour through Panama City. Navigate the Lower Grand Lagoon neighborhood before entering a beautiful local park. While peddling your single-speed beach cruiser you’ll hear area facts and enjoy beach views sneaking out between million-dollar homes through this Half Day Bike Tour offered by Trip.com. Why not Zilch it too?

And that’s a wrap! We hope this spring break destination guide has given you awesome ideas for your next trip.

If you want to explore more Zilchable experiences that you could book online, check out zilch.com.

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