Tequila, tacos, dancing · and more tequila.
Welcome to the UA's Mexico spring break 2004.
From Rocky Point to San Carlos to Mazatl‡n, students traveled south by plane and by car to get to beach spots and, of course, the lower drinking age.
Rocky Point, or Puerto Pe–asco, lies about 60 miles from the U.S. border with a population of around 30,000. At any time during the middle of March, however, spring breakers from around the United States can double thepopulation.
"It's a pretty beach and good weather with pretty warm water," said undeclared sophomore Alex Tuttle, explaining his reasons for making the trip to Rocky Point over the break. "It was the cheapest thing to do for spring break, and it was close."
Whether Tuttle and his group of eight friends wanted to relax alone or interact with swarms of people, they had something to do in the poor fishing town.
"We'd sit on the beach all day and go swimming and snorkeling, and then go out to the bars at night," he said.
Tuttle's trip only cost $160, including three nights at Playa Bonita Hotel.
This was his first spring break in Rocky Point, and it will probably be his last.
"One time's enough. Just because I think I can find something more fun to do next time, especially because I'll be 21," said 20-year-old Tuttle.
UA students were few and far between, said Tuttle, while Arizona State University and community college students were prominent at local bars like Manny's Beach Club and the Pink Cadillac. The Baja Hotel was a popular spot for late-night partying because it offered unlimited drinks from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for $15.
Although Rocky Point may be the closest and cheapest getaway, others ventured farther into Mexico.
Criminal justice freshman Rachel Kipnis spent most of her break in Mazatl‡n. Her party package cost more than $600.
"A bunch of my girlfriends went. One of my good friends is leaving next year, so we decided to have a really good time," she said. "Pretty much drinking and, like, laying out, partying and meeting people. A really good time. The club scene is crazy. It is just wild."
In every spring break spot, bar and club owners have theme parties to entertain students, along with drink specials aplenty.
"My favorite was the foam party," Kipnis said. "There's a big pit in the middle and they shoot foam out. There's foam above your head and you just dance. You're just getting covered in foam."
While partying might be the favorite pastime for students in Mexico, others kicked back on the ocean.
"The San Carlos club scene is completely different than your Mazatl‡n, your Rocky Point or your Cancun," said Kristen Westrick, a psychology freshman, "because it is like a Mexican town that really hasn't changed to meet the accommodations for tourists."
It's also somewhat cheaper, as Westrick said she spent less than $300 on the trip.
"I liked it because it was more laid-back and not like a huge, huge party scene," she said. "It's just people going out on boats and doing a lot of water stuff. It's a completely different vibe, but it's just as fun."
Whether it's partying or kicking back, Mexico offered students a chance to relax, escape their problems and only worry about whether it's worth $5 to get their names on grains of rice.
"Mexico is great because you can come for a few days and you don't have to worry about exams or projects. You can just sit back, relax and forget the rest of your world," said ASU sophomore Charlie Silvestri as he relaxed with a beer at Manny's in Rocky Point.
While Mexican police have a reputation for being crooked and harsh, some business owners said they slack during spring break.
"A major percentage of young people who come here to party definitely leave their brains at the border, assume they are in control and should not be governed by local laws or authority," said Margie Poturalski, who owns a condo-renting business. "The trash that litters the streets after spring breakers is disgusting. I know they wouldn't get by with this in the U.S."
While things seem to be the same every spring break, Poturalski had advice for future Rocky Point visitors.
"I would ask everyone coming to Pe–asco to show respect for all the local people. These are wonderful folks here, and they enjoy the money that is brought to this seaside town, now a city," Poturalski said.