Yes, you need a valid passport book to fly to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Punta Cana or Nassau. A passport card doesn't work for flights. Fort Lauderdale is the only Spring Break U destination with no passport required.
If you don't have one, don't panic, but do apply this month. Here's the math.
Passport rules by destination
| Destination | Passport book required to fly | Passport card OK | Visa for U.S. citizens | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancun, Mexico | Yes | No | No | Keep the passport in the hotel safe and carry a photo |
| Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Yes | No | No | Same as Cancun |
| Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Yes | No | No | Check current entry requirements before you fly |
| Nassau, Bahamas | Yes | No | No | Passport must be valid for your whole stay |
| Fort Lauderdale, Florida | No | n/a | No | Government photo ID for flights and hotel |
Not a U.S. citizen? Check your own country's rules for Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Some passports need a visa. Ask us early and we'll point you to the right page.
When to apply for a March 2027 trip
The State Department currently lists routine processing at 4 to 6 weeks and expedited at 2 to 3 weeks (for an extra $60), and mailing time isn't included in either number. Work backward from your travel date and give yourself a cushion for the mail.
- Routine service: apply by December 1 for the earliest March trips. You'll have it with room to spare.
- Expedited service: apply by January 1. Still fine, but you're cutting it closer.
- After that: book an appointment at a passport agency for urgent travel. You'll need proof of international travel within 14 days.
First-time applicants apply in person at a post office or county clerk with a birth certificate, ID and a photo. Renewals are simpler and can often be done by mail or online. Processing times change, so check the State Department's current times before you count on them.
Get the passport photo done at a pharmacy, not in your dorm hallway. The State Department rejects photos with shadows, filters, or your roommate's shoulder in the frame.
Already have a passport? Check two things
- Expiration. Mexico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas generally want a passport valid through your stay, but some airlines apply a six-month rule anyway. If yours expires within six months of your trip, renew it now and skip the argument at the gate.
- Condition. Water damage, a torn page or a chewed corner (dogs, mostly) can get you denied boarding. If it's questionable, renew.
What if my passport isn't back in time?
Call us the moment you think it might be late. Your options, in order: upgrade to expedited, book an urgent appointment at a passport agency with your trip confirmation, or, worst case, switch your booking to Fort Lauderdale so the trip survives. The one thing nobody can fix is finding out at the airport.
Take a photo of your passport's ID page and email it to yourself. If it's lost on the trip, that photo makes the embassy replacement much faster.
Final Thoughts
A passport takes weeks. A group chat argument about it takes months. Apply now, check the expiration on the one you have, and book the destination you actually want instead of the one your paperwork forces on you.
