The Caribbean Sea borders one side, the Mayan ruins are available for daily tours and the dollar stretches out.
The other thing many students like about Cancun, Mexico?
"The beer is cheap," said Bill Mitchell, a manager at Carlson Travel.
Price is a major reason many students head to Mexico for vacations.
"It's less expensive than anyplace else," said Michelle, a travel agent for Uniglobe travel. "The minimum age is about 25 for staying in hotels in the U.S. and internationally, but Cancun doesn't really have a minimum age."
Many companies offer all-inclusive packages that include meals, travel tax, lodging and, in some cases, airfare.
The idea is that students are saving money by prepaying for almost everything.
"About 4 percent of the entire vacation population takes cruises," said Robyn Rucards, cruise director for Landmark cruises. "They're much more inclusive than typical air and hotel trips. You can see all of the islands of the Caribbean rather than being stuck on one of them."
"Proof of citizenship - that's the only major preparation you need," Michelle said. "You can't get in or out of the country without it."
Because passports, which can cost upward of $100, are not necessary, students can avoid that expense by travelling to Mexico.
"It's quicker to get to Mexico than to drive to Florida," Mitchell said. "A lot (of people) have been to Florida, and Mexico is more exotic."
International travel is a new experience for many students.
"I think Mexico is more accessible to younger travelers," said Engineering sophomore Marissa Ebersole. "If you go to Florida or another tropical U.S. spot, they treat you like babies. In Mexico, it's more like, 'You got the money, here you go.'"
"I love the ocean and I'm going to swim in it and go snorkeling and parasailing while I'm there," Ebersole said.
Cancun is one of several popular Mexican vacation sites, including Acapulco, Cozumel, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta.
"The Yucatan has been very (calm)," said Wayne Johnson, a Hudson's travel agent. "There has been no rebel activity or terrorism in recent years. Tourists may worry about pickpockets, muggers or the water but it is really a very user-friendly destination. Built from the sand up since the '70s."
There are those students who won't travel to Mexican "tourist traps" because they cater too much to tourists.
"Cancun isn't really a part of Mexico - it's a little place for Americans to go and say they're in Mexico," said Andrew Hunter, an Engineering junior.
A few students said they preferred Mexico to southern states such as Florida because of the lower drinking age.
"I'd been to Cancun before and I had a good time. Truthfully, you can't drink in Florida - it's hard to get alcohol," said Leigh Botwinik, an LSA first-year student. "There are also lots of clubs in the strip of a couple miles ... you don't need a car."
Many travel agents said the most common worry for travelers is the quality of drinking water in Mexico.
"Drinking water is a fear, and there is a general fear of Mexico being dirty and poor," Michelle said. "But (Mexican towns) got their money from visitors and the travel industry and that's how they got built up."
Students who have visited Mexico said they feared being thrown in jail.
"My only worry was getting arrested in Mexico," said Neema Navai, an LSA first-year student. "I've heard horror stories about getting thrown into Mexican jails and never getting out."
Although Cancun has a reputation as a vacation spot for partying, students who have visited Mexico insist there are many other activities.
"There was a lot of dancing, parasailing, swimming in the ocean and the pool, laying out and shopping in the market," said David Parzen, an LSA first-year student.
"There is lots of sun, sand and sea," Johnson said. "Geared toward American tourists there is very nice sight-seeing. You can schedule full- or half-day tours to the Mayan ruins."
Some hotels offered activities.
"You could go on day trips by getting information at your hotel, to see places outside of Cancun - historical sights, or to secluded parks, and you could swim with the dolphins," Botwinik said.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
LSA sophomore Seth Hollander returns to Metro Airport on Tuesday night after visiting his grandparents in Miami. Many students spent winter break vacationing with family.