When selecting a Tour Company:

Inquire whether they are members of the Better Business Bureau. You can check them out by going to their website, figuring out what State that they are incorporated in (their mailing address), and then going to www.BBB.org and doing a search on them. Having a clean, or satisfactory report is what you’re looking for. By the way, it doesn’t mean all that much…but it’s far better than traveling with a Tour Company or Travel Agent that has an unsatisfactory one, right?

Avoid or beware of any claims of “Zero Complaints” with the BBB…because you are either a.) satisfactory or b.) unsatisfactory.

Another key accreditation (there are about 20 you can look at…but…) is the ASTA, or American Society of Travel Agents. They have a code of Ethics that their members must follow.

If you are booking with a travel agent, check the above, but also, ask them whom they are using for their tour Company. Check BOTH out.

There are, as previously noted, about 20 accreditations that a Company can obtain. Really, you just pay a fee, and you’re in. That’s not really the best way to determine If they are good or not.

A couple more things:

You and your friends call their office at the same time….figure out what happens when you do….are they using call waiting (might be a home office), or do they have a professional phone system, where they can put you on hold? This matters, because it indicates financial stability, and is good sign that they are able to provide you a good trip.
Ask questions. Ask a lot. Ask about clubs, parties, is your hotel guaranteed, etc. If your questions are answered fluidly without problem, that’s a good thing, if they are stumbling around….they might be rookies.
South Padre Island where 75,000+ spring break students rage on the 5 mile strip. Only 30 miles from Mexico you can party in 2 nations at the southernmost US Spring Break Destination - South Padre Island! With accommodations in South Padre Island ranging from low cost party hotels to 12 person luxury condos on the beach.

South Padre Island Spring Break is the most famous “drive down / road trip” destination in the US, with wide sandy beaches, and a warm Gulf climate that’s often in the 80’s during spring break & very predictable. Past acts on Spring Break in South Padre have included 50 Cent, Puddle of Mudd, Fat Joe, Fabolous, and MTV Spring Break Undercover, as well as the famous Coca-Cola Beach Stage Area. Plus, enjoy exclusive Inertia events with celebs from both the Showtime Network & MTV Road Rules & The Real World at Club Chaos, and killer side trips such as the Mexico Border Bash & Party Yacht Cruise at Tequila Frogs!

Why choose a South Padre Spring Break?

Huge condos sleep up to 10 each – bring everyone this year to South Padre Island for your Spring Break!
South Padre Spring Break road Trips are low-cash & easy to afford.
South Padre Island is a 2-nation vacation – Mexico is just 35 minutes away.
Spring Break in South Padre Island is clean & safe. - South Padre Island is the #1 Spring Break destination in the US
South Padre Island hosts over 100,000 spring break students per year in March alone!
Fly, drive, or take our luxury motorcoaches to South Padre Island.
A South Padre Spring Break has safe, good American food that won’t make you sick during your Spring Break.
Your cell phone & health insurance will work on your South Padre Spring Break..
All flights to South Padre Island are on Continental or American scheduled air – no South Padre Island Spring Break delays.
All South Padre Spring Break bars & clubs are 18 to party, 21 to drink in South Padre Island.
Kegs & alcohol are legal on the beach in South Padre Island, save money on your South Padre Spring Break.
South Padre Island is the southern most point in the continental US = warm weather on your South Padre Island Spring Break.
Personality types / vacation selection for South Padre Island:

South Padre Island rocks because:

The price, genius. $200-$500 to drive down. You can also fly there, or take a motorcoach.
Condos with kitchens & living rooms (plenty of room to hook up, and to party folks). Hotel rooms suck compared to a 3 bedroom condo!
Money. The cheapest place to go. You can cook in your kitchen, you can bring your own beer in, etc. Kegs are also legal on the beach.
Minors can get into the clubs. It’s 21 to drink, but 18 to party (only 17 to party if you have an Inertia Party Package, FYI)
Safety. It’s in the US. Your cell phone & health insurance work.
Some parents are cool with spring break, but against leaving the country, and we get that.
Near Mexico. If you’re a minor, you can ride the Inertia Border Bash Bus to the border & get your drink on. You don’t need a birth certificate or passport either, only a valid drivers license or state ID.
The weather. It’s further south than Miami, Florida. The weather in Panama City or Daytona typically sucks in March. Those destinations are also thugged out. Padre isn’t.
Lastly….over 75,000 students go there for Spring Break – HUGE.
South Padre Island blows because:

It’s not 18 to drink.
It lacks tons of great clubs & bars. (there’s a few though(
Not Mexico hot.
The traffic really blows. That’s why location IS key in Padre
The TABC. These are the Texas booze police. They like to dish out tickets like candy. If you’re in your condo, you are 99.9999% safe….it’s the .000000001% to at least consider!
Hook up Factor:

Girl to Guy Ratio:

35% girls
65% guys

A final word here:

Come on. You’re on our website. But objectively speaking, if you even look at someone else’s trip to South Padre, why?

Did you know that 7 other student travel Companies sell the Inertia Package here? Well, they do. We’re not naming names, but why in the hell would they pick us? Because we are Padre baby.

If you book with someone else, we’ll see you at our Party. So sorry! You’re Welcome at our events, because We Party! Spring Break!

You will notice that our travelers will cut our 4000+ people event lines, so expect a 30-45 minute wait to get in, and a $20 cover charge, because that’s what we charge each night, toots!

Is that other Company giving you fast food meals free? Gross. Are they selling you a hotel 3 miles from Tequila Frogs or Club Chaos? Jeez, are you sure you want that?

Selecting a hotel or condo in South Padre Island:

Ladies & Gentleman, it matters more in South Padre than anywhere else, because the strip is 5 miles long, and traffic comes to a stand still Texas week. But you have your car, right? DUI. Spell it out. And, the traffic just doesn’t move, so you can’t even get a cab. Don’t be misled about a “free shuttle” – it’s called The Wave, and it only runs during the day.

Sure, most of the good condos cost more…but if you can walk everywhere, think of the time & aggravation that will save you. People forget how much they’ve paid once they get there, so try to talk your group into spending more than they really wanted….you’ll be glad you talked them into it.

Really quick, we’ll recommend a few…this list is NOT exhaustive…but based on location, and being on spring or grad break, these are where to stay: (if you’re not a spring breaker, avoid these!)

Money is not an issue Baby!

Saida Towers - Hands down, the best place to stay. Next to the Sprite Re-mix beach on the ocean, and the Radisson. We like the Radisson too, but a full on condo at Saida is cheaper than a standard hotel room, and security aren’t dinks.
The Radisson - We don’t even offer it, but if you’ve got $300 a night, it’s sweet. Packed. NO OUTSIDE BOOZE OR BEER – Beware!
Sunchase IV - Want the nicest room / condo suite you’ve ever in your life stayed in? Drop the jaw plush & pimp. Go all out. Location is a 10! 2 levels, ocean front, some units are $1 million plus in value. Daddy sez yes!

Money matters, but we still want it on the beach & nice:

Put me in a great location, low price:

Gotta be the cheapest possible or we can’t go:

Honorable Mention

When you arrive in South Padre Island:

Hey, most of you will just drive down. Watch your speed south of Harligen, and east of Brownsville. The 5-0 are waiting you, and we mean it. If you’re going even 1 mph over the speed limit, you’re getting an unpleasant welcome surprise, called an expensive-ass ticket.

If you fly in, all of the valley regional airports (McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville) are small, nice, and quite new. We offer transfers as an option to all of our trips for just $29 per person, that’s half off! If you’re going down on your own, you can arrange for transfers for about $60-$80 each from Go with Jo! Travel (www.gowithjo.com) (800.999.1446). Jo is the cheapest way to go.

Forget about taking a cab Diddy, because that’s about $80 each way.

If you come down with W.Fish Tours, just look for the Go with Jo! Rep, and they’ll direct you to the shuttle. Listen to when they say that they are going to be picked up at the end of your trip, or you’re screwed. The ride is long…plan for about 2 hours from the time you get your bags to getting to our check in, which can take awhile because we check in 1000+ students per week. No worries, we have free beer at our Welcome Party while you wait for your turn!

Being prepared to be patient will make you and your group have a much better start to their vacation.

Spending Money:

Guys:  Bring a minimum of $250 USD or don’t go.
Girls:   Bring a minimum of $250 USD or don’t go.

Once you get to our office to check in:

We require two open credit card vouchers per room for excessive damages. Also, we take photocopies of each person staying in the room’s ID.

If you’ve booked your own vacation without Wicked Fish Tours….be ready for some unpleasant, and unexpected or hidden “fees.” These typically are as follows:

We’re always amused when people call us at Wicked Fish Tours to tell us that “they’ve gotten a better rate elsewhere.” Really? Well, after you add all those junk fees in, we always have a lower rate.

If you have a condo:

Be aware of the fact that condos do not have daily maid service, so Nazi-guard your towel for the week. You’ll also need to plan on leaving the place clean, because you’ll get charged for “excessive cleaning,” and the towels….yeah, they charge about $20 each, so don’t use them on your shoes.

The Beach:

While we understand your need for a “romantic” spring break walk at night, South Padre is truly the ONLY destination that really is safe at night to be on the beach (not in the water dumb ass, the beach). So, get your groove on, remember, what could be finer than being tanked on cheap liquor and going for a moonlight stroll with your one night stand? Throw your protection away when you’re done, that’s gross.

Nighttime:

Stay in groups. Be realistic…people hook up on spring break, it happens (wow, are you surprised)…just have one person you are with as a buddy that knows where you are going. We know people lie because they don’t want others to know that they are hooking up, but seriously….just have one person that you trust to tell. If you ARE the buddy, don’t make moral judgements that might cause your hooking up friend to lie to you. However, if someone is so intoxicated that they don’t know what’s up…help them please.

Thank God, in South Padre Island, your cell phone will work. Use them.

The Wave Bus:

The Wave comes about every 45 minutes along Padre Blvd, you can pick it up at The Sunchase Mall, the Bahia Mar, or The Blue Marlin Grocery Store. It’s free….but….only runs during the day, and is slow as hell.

The Cabs/Taxis:

Are dirt cheap in South Padre. Plan on spending about $2.50 each to go one way, anywhere. But….during the middle two weeks in Padre, they won’t take you to the South end of the island by the Saida or Radisson because traffic is so jacked up, you can’t move.

 

A note about air travel to South Padre Island for year round guests not on or considering an Inertia Tours trip:Check www.southwest.com airlines into Harlingen, Texas if you have a Southwest gate at your nearest large airport, they are dirt cheap to South Padre Island if you book it early enough.