We ended the trip in Mallorca to celebrate my birthday, and it was the perfect last stop.
A shared house
The flight from Barcelona to Palma is only about 40 minutes. The fare was $97, plus $45 in bag fees. We stayed in a vacation rental in southern Mallorca, an entire home for six of us. Split six ways, it came to about $85 per person a night, with a lawn for watching the sunset.
Paella and Palma
Our first night, we had dinner on a square in Palma. Later, a big pan of paella with friends, the kind of meal that goes on for hours.
The boat day
For my birthday, my friends and I rented a 16-foot dinghy for four hours out of El Arenal, for $380. Before we left, we got a safety briefing and a short lesson in driving the boat. Then we were off: tubing, jumping off the rocks into the water, lunch on board, and relaxing on the Mediterranean. It was one of the best days of the whole trip.
The rules changed after my trip. Since October 1, 2026, anyone renting a small motorboat in Spain needs a recognized boating license or certificate. Most U.S. students won’t have one, so book a boat with a skipper instead. Guests on a skippered boat don’t need their own license, and split among friends, it can still be an affordable day. Always confirm the current rules with the rental company when you book.
Before you jump: only jump where you can see the water is deep and clear of rocks, never jump alone or after drinking, and wear the life jacket the boat provides when you’re on a tube.
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