Finishing a degree matters, and where you go to celebrate it decides how the trip turns out. There are plenty of options that offer both a good time and something to see. Among the graduation destinations for 2025 that stand out are Punta Cana, Cancún, Thailand and Tunisia. Each of them combines a good time, an adventure and somewhere worth seeing.
The beach destinations
A beach is the usual choice for a graduation trip, and not only for the view: there is plenty to do and the nights are long. Here are the best of them.
Punta Cana
In the Dominican Republic, and one of the favourites among young people. White sand, and an atmosphere that does not stop.
The beaches and the water
The beaches are known for their sand and their clear water, which is exactly what watersports want. On offer:
- Snorkelling and diving on the coral reefs;
- catamaran trips with stops to swim;
- Surfing and paddleboarding at selected spots.
Trips to the nearby islands of Saona and Catalina are popular too, and they get you somewhere genuinely untouched.
The nights
One of the main draws. From beach bars to well-known clubs, there is something for everyone. The most recommended:
- Coco Bongo, known for its live shows;
- Imagine Punta Cana, a club inside a cave;
- beach bars with live music and cocktails.
The nights here are where you meet people.
Cancún
Another of the favourites. It combines luxury resorts with Mexican culture, which makes for a complete trip.
The nights
Among the liveliest anywhere. The options include:
- clubs such as La Vaquita and Mandala, where it does not stop;
- beach bars with a range of music;
- salsa nights and live music across the city.
The festivals and one-off events mean no two visits are the same.
The culture, and the archaeology
Beyond the nights, Cancún puts you within reach of the Mayan sites at Tulum and Chichén Itzá, with guided trips through the jungle around the temples. The cenotes — freshwater sinkholes — are exactly right for swimming.
Thailand
Further away, but growing in popularity among students who want something different. Remarkable country, a living culture and nights with no equal.
The islands
Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi are known for their beaches and their landscape. On offer:
- Activities such as scuba diving and kayaking in turquoise water;
- trips to the nearby islands in long-tail boats;
- Hiking and walking through national parks full of vegetation and wildlife.
The sunsets over the sea are worth the flight on their own.
The food
Thai cooking needs no introduction: pad thai, tom yum and green curry among a good deal else. The local markets are where you find the real flavours, and festivals such as Loy Krathong are where you find the traditions.
The cities
History, art and local tradition together. Two of them stand out, in North Africa and in the Caribbean.
Tunis
Culture and art
A city where history and the present run together. The old town, the Medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with monuments, mosques and museums — the Bardo among them, which holds a remarkable collection of Roman mosaics.
The art here is Arab, Berber and European at once. In the craft workshops you watch ceramics, textiles and jewellery being made, and the annual festivals cover music, dance and cinema.
Carthage and the souks
You cannot talk about Tunis without Carthage. Founded by the Phoenicians, it was a centre of trade and culture in the Mediterranean. The amphitheatre, the Baths of Antoninus and the Tophet are all still there.
The souks work on every sense: crafts, spices and local produce, with the noise of the sellers around you. You haggle, and you eat — the couscous in particular.
Havana
The Malecón
Culture, history and a great deal of life. The Malecón, the sea wall, gives you the water on one side and colonial architecture on the other, and it is where the city goes in the evening: painters showing their work, musicians filling the air.
Old Havana is full of colonial churches and busy squares. The Capitolio and the Plaza de la Catedral are only the start of it.
The music
Music and dance are inseparable from Cuban identity. Son, salsa and mambo are in the streets of Havana. There is live music in the bars and clubs, and dance classes if you want them.
There are also festivals with concerts, folk dance and other performances. A mojito to the local rhythm is hard to improve on.
Planning the trip
Preparing in advance is what keeps a graduation trip running smoothly.
Budget
Set a clear budget. Work out what you are willing to spend, taking account of:
- Transport: flights, transfers and getting around.
- Accommodation: compare hotels, hostels and shared flats.
- Food: restaurants, fast food, or cooking where the accommodation allows it.
- Activities: every trip and activity you are planning, plus admission costs.
Leave a margin for whatever comes up.
Knowing where you are going
Read up before you go — it changes the trip. Points to consider:
- Local customs: knowing the traditions makes the visit better, and it avoids giving offence unintentionally.
- Weather: it decides both what you pack and what is feasible.
- Entry requirements: some destinations have visa or health requirements. Check in advance.
Booking in advance
Booking transport and accommodation early usually saves a significant amount, and it removes the uncertainty in a popular destination in high season.
- Flights: booking early gets you better fares. Watch for offers.
- Accommodation: use comparison sites. Booking early gets you not only better prices but better locations.
Packing and paperwork
Packing properly means having what you need. Some essentials:
- A packing list: clothes, toiletries and chargers among them.
- The right clothes: for the activities and for the weather.
- Documents: passport, tickets, bookings and anything else you need to hand.
Take copies too — if anything is lost, a copy makes replacing it far easier.
