Many traditional spring break trips to hot Mexican destinations like Cancun, Tijuana and Baja will take a sabbatical this year, moving to safer locations after rampant violence has killed nearly 7,000 people in 15 months. There have been 1,000 murders this year alone, according to a Tuesday ABC News article.

Travel warnings were issued by the U.S. Department of State on Feb. 20, advising Americans traveling to Mexico to be mindful of increased dangers, mainly along the border.

According to the travel advisory, "It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations. Common-sense precautions, such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable."

The lower drinking age, warm weather and cheap accommodations help draw an estimated 100,000 students for travel to Mexico. So do the risks outweigh the benefits?

Tara Marsh, travel consultant from Manhattan's Jade Travel, said her firm is up-to-date on travel advisories, but suggests avoiding border towns, using common sense by traveling in groups and not at dark and staying at resorts makes a Mexico trip safe enough to procede with.

"Resort areas are still safe," Marsh said. "Just use precautions and be aware of your surroundings."

Marsh said students who want to consider other destinations that have similar costs and experiences should consider Jamaica or travel in the United States, specifically California and Florida.

Some students have even had summer trips to Mexico canceled because of travel warnings.

Jenny Cole, senior in elementary education, received word last week that a three-week K-State study-abroad trip to Chihuahua, Mexico, scheduled in May was canceled as a result of border violence.

"We were going to go to classrooms to teach English as a second language and live with host families," Cole said. "I'm disappointed ... probably, nothing would happen, but it is a possibility."

Cole said that her group is now looking into substituting Guatemala as a safer place for a trip with an identical mission, just a safer location.

"[Chihuahua] isn't a border town, but it's pretty close," said Cole.

Colleges like the University of Arizona in Tucson are specifically asking students not to spend spring break in Mexico because of the risks.

"We are in a state of undeclared war on the southern border," Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas, told Department of Homeland Security officials Tuesday.

The travel advisory stated that the greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border.

According to the advisory, "Mexican and foreign bystanders have been injured or killed in violent attacks in cities across the country. In recent years dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped across Mexico."

Jayson Ahern, acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said there is a series of efforts to increase surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles in the border region, attempting to "be more intelligence-driven," according to the ABC News article. Apparently, most of the violence is a consequence of drug trafficking and drug cartels fighting over illegal shipments of drugs into the United States.

Whether students stay or go, there are many options for students to consider when planning their annual carousing.

"For the price of Mexico, you really can't beat it," Marsh said.