{"id":63708,"date":"2026-03-06T12:04:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T12:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/newsroom\/?p=63708"},"modified":"2026-03-06T22:21:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T22:21:13","slug":"cancun-and-punta-cana-lead-spring-break-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/newsroom\/cancun-and-punta-cana-lead-spring-break-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Cancun and Punta Cana Lead Spring Break Travel, but There’s a Surprise Beach Destination Surging: Antalya, Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Expedia\u2019s Spring Travel Outlook Reveals Last-Minute Spring Breakers Can Still Score Value<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

April 27-28 are the cheapest days to fly<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today Expedia<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup> released its annual Spring Travel Outlook, the ultimate planning guide for spring break escapes. This year\u2019s report highlights how last-minute planners can score deals, a surprise Mediterranean beach destination, the cheapest days to travel, and the most affordable destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA beach some Americans have never heard of tops the places, seeing a dramatic jump in spring searches on Expedia. Antalya, Turkey, isn\u2019t unknown \u2014 it\u2019s one of the Mediterranean\u2019s biggest beach hubs \u2014 but more Americans are realizing the Turkish Riviera delivers the kind of beach experience they\u2019d expect in Spain or Italy, just with fewer crowds and more value,\u201d said Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the most popular and trending destinations for this spring? <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Expedia search data[1]<\/a> shows that Cancun is still the No. 1 internationally popular spring destination, while Caribbean standouts such as Montego Bay (+105%), the Bahamas (+60%), Cayman Islands (+25%), and Punta Cana (+25%) saw strong momentum the last week in February for the upcoming spring travel season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antalya, Turkey<\/strong>, emerges as the biggest global riser, with a 920% surge in searches. Antalya delivers world\u2011class Mediterranean beaches at a lower cost, enjoys the global credibility of being one of the world\u2019s most\u2011visited destinations, and offers warm spring weather that gives U.S. travelers an early\u2011season warm beach escape outside the Caribbean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the domestic front, Memphis leads trending U.S. destinations with searches up 95%, followed by Hawaii (+70%) and coastal Rehoboth Beach (+65%). Boise (+65%) and the Grand Canyon (+55%) highlight growing interest in nature\u2011driven getaways as travelers look to diversify their spring plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expedia\u2019s Smart Travel Health Check helps travelers identify destinations that prioritize sustainable tourism practices and traveler well-being while offering rich cultural and natural experiences. The assessment uses AI tools to assess destinations based on the World Travel and Tourism Council\u2019s (WTTC) six principles for sustainable tourism management.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are the most affordable destinations to fly under $600?[2]<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestic travelers can take advantage of off\u2011peak pricing with flights under $600 to destinations such as Maui (Hawaii), Page (Arizona), and Bar Harbor (Maine). Those seeking warmer weather abroad should consider the beautiful beaches of Tobago, St. Lucia, and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, shoulder season deals make the Greek islands of Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu more accessible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheapest International Destinations<\/td><\/tr>
1. Tobago<\/td>6. Cancun, Mexico<\/td><\/tr>
2. Rhodes, Greece<\/td>7. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico<\/td><\/tr>
3. Santorini, Greece<\/td>8. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/td><\/tr>
4. Mykonos, Greece<\/td>9. Castries, St. Lucia<\/td><\/tr>
5. Corfu, Greece<\/td>10. Edmonton, Canada<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Cheapest Domestic Destinations<\/td><\/tr>
1. Maui, HI<\/td>6. Fort Lauderdale, FL<\/td><\/tr>
2. Page, AZ<\/td>7. Atlantic City, NJ<\/td><\/tr>
3. New Haven, CT<\/td>8. Bar Harbor, ME<\/td><\/tr>
4. Worcester, MA<\/td>9. Burbank, CA<\/td><\/tr>
5. Atlanta, GA<\/td>10. Everett, WA<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are the most affordable destinations to stay under $200 per night?[3]<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain, Greece, and the Caribbean offer the most value this spring. Rates under $200 a night can be found in the popular cities of Kos, Rhodes, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona, Bonaire, and Santo Domingo, offering rare spring value for budget\u2011minded travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the U.S., affordable stays can be found coast to coast. Panama City offers access to Gulf Coast beaches at a fraction of Miami prices; Amarillo, Idaho Falls, and Fayetteville are the perfect anchor for national park road trips. Colorado Springs and Portland combine scenery, breweries, and culture with consistently accessible nightly rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheapest International Destinations<\/td><\/tr>
1. Kos, Greece<\/td>6. Valencia, Spain<\/td><\/tr>
2. Alicante, Spain<\/td>7. Rhodes, Greece<\/td><\/tr>
3. Barcelona, Spain<\/td>8. St. John\u2019s, Canada<\/td><\/tr>
4. Bonaire<\/td>9. Edmonton, Canada<\/td><\/tr>
5. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic<\/td>10. Prince Edward Island, Canada<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Cheapest Domestic Destinations<\/td><\/tr>
1. Panama City, FL<\/td>6. Modesto, CA<\/td><\/tr>
2. Harrisburg, PA<\/td>7. Idaho Falls, ID<\/td><\/tr>
3. Amarillo, TX<\/td>8. McAllen, TX<\/td><\/tr>
4. Fayetteville, NC<\/td>9. Colorado Springs, CO<\/td><\/tr>
5. Allentown, PA<\/td>10. Portland, OR<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the best time to fly this spring?[4]<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For opportunistic travelers who want to take advantage of when prices dip, Expedia data shows April 27 and 28 are the cheapest days to travel as school breaks end in many regions and crowds<\/a> fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the best spring travel tips?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expedia recommends the following to lock in your next spring getaway:<\/p>\n\n\n\n