The annual rush of spring breakers beckons upon South Florida.
But some popular destinations such as Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale have put measures in place to keep down loud music and drunken behavior. Miami Beach has even launched a campaign called “Respect the Scene, #KeepMBClean” to get the word out.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to know for spring visitors to the region.
— Turn down the music. We all go to the beach to Zen out, perhaps do some Yoga and more importantly, check out the eye candy. But not everyone needs to hear mini-speakers blasting Pitbull and Cardi B on full blast. Pop in your ear buds, bud.
— Leave the alcohol in your room: Locales such as Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale ban drinking alcohol on the sand, which means that people can’t bring beer bottles or plastic cups filled with liquor. If you want to be lawful visitors, there are restaurants and bars on the west side of Ocean Drive, the Broadwalk in Hollywood and A1A in Fort Lauderdale where you can get lit.
— Speaking of alcohol: Coolers are also banned in March during spring break in Miami Beach. And beginning March 5, the same goes for Fort Lauderdale, which will also prohibit inflatable devices, tents and tables on the beach during spring break.
— Who let the (drug-sniffing) dogs out: Fort Lauderdale sometimes trots out a drug-sniffing dog to the beach so be warned if a big Fido suddenly starts approaching your towel and beach chair and you want to hightail it out of there.
— Hail an Uber or Lyft: If you’re planning on driving to the beach, there will be license plate readers for eastbound traffic lanes of Interstate 395 (the MacArthur Causeway) and Interstate 195 (the Julia Tuttle Causeway) in Miami Beach. Expect the same scene for cars headed east to Fort Lauderdale beach, on 17th Street Causeway, Las Olas Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard. Or leave the driving to someone else. Take an Uber or Lyft for peace of mind. It’s better than finding a parking space during this busy time.
— Going topless: South Beach in Miami Beach, especially around 12th Street, is known as a spot to drop your bikini top, so don’t be surprised to find women sunbathing with exposed nipples. And just north to Haulover Beach Park is a clothing optional beach in case that kind of stuff offends you or not.
— And last but not least, sunscreen: We know, it’s March and yet it feels like a toasty June. Slather some sunscreen because you don’t want to look like those lobster-red northerners who stand out from their sun burns. (You know who you are.)
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