Now that over 100 million Americans have had their COVID vaccines, there’s definitely a whiff of optimism in the air about getting back to normal. And “normal” this time of year means planning for spring break trips! While experts say we should definitely still be cautious (and try to travel only when necessary), here are some tips for how to be safe and smart this travel season.

How to…

Keep COVID on your radar. With the proliferation of the vaccine, the decline in cases, and with some states removing mask mandates, you may be tempted to throw caution to the wind. Don’t! Instead, take a rapid viral test before you go, wear a mask whenever you can’t be 6 feet from people you don’t know, and take another test and (when possible) quarantine for 7-10 days when you return from your trip.

Check local, state, and international guidelines. In the US, each state (and sometimes cities) has its own regulations regarding where you can go, how many people can assemble in those places, and whether or not you need to mask up. For travel within the US, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-planner/index.html and enter the zip code of your destination. A list of helpful resources (including who to call if you get sick while away) is provided for that region. For international travel, check here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html for guidelines; note that in almost all cases, you’ll need to present a recent negative COVID test to even get on a plane.

Use tech to find good deals (and open venues!). Travel sites abound but a few will cut your research time substantially. Check out www.kayak.com where you choose the destination and Kayak provides up to 5 quotes from other sites so no more bouncing from travel site to site. Also, since funding your trip is always a priority, check out https://thepointsguy.com/ for some amazing travel hacks for amassing and using travel points, avoiding credit card fees, and even keeping up with COVID-related travel news.

Research your excursions. Remember that amazing restaurant you went to in 2018? Trying to revisit that super fun amusement park? Don’t assume that anything is open or operating at full capacity. Visit the restaurant/park/theater/venue website to check hours and capacity information and call ahead. Order tickets in advance (and choose refundable options when possible) and make reservations. Nothing’s worse than driving cross country only to find Wally World closed!

Find more remote options. While choosing an outdoor venue is a no-brainer for spring break, some options are definitely safer than others. Between a packed beach and a quiet cabin on a lake, choose the latter. Between a water park at full capacity or a rugged bike ride on a cool nature trail, you know what’s smarter. Need a suggestion? Check https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm to find a state or national park near you!

Pack for the occasion. In addition to your normal spring fare—bathing suits, sneakers, and sunscreen—remember to pack hand sanitizer and at least one mask for every day you’re away. Maybe invest in some disposable masks so you don’t have to worry about washing on the go.

We are so close to getting our old lives back, and enjoying traveling with friends and family is part of that process. To ensure we stay on the right track, have fun but be smart and diligent. And remember: nothing says Spring Break 2021 like a mask tan line!