Break out

Riviera Maya

If you want to spend spring break enjoying tropical coral reefs or jungles, then Riviera Maya, Mexico is the perfect place for you.

Riviera Maya is the new hot spot for college "spring break-ers". It's affordable, fun and has beautiful weather.

Fly into Cancun's airport and head south to Riviera Maya to find the second largest barrier reef in the world, beautiful lagoons that are perfect for snorkeling and cenotes (natural pools of clear water that are completely swimmable). Also, don't forget the nightlife.

While enjoying a few days of fun-in-the-sun, spend a day interacting with Mexican culture in the theme park, Xcaret, snorkel in Xel-Ha, the largest natural aquarium in the world, and tan on the Akumal beaches.

Where to eat? Ah Cacao Chocolate Café serves food directly from the Mayalands of Mexico and was featured on the "Rachael Ray Show" and Ajua Maya is a five star dining setting featuring fresh lobster, USA Angus Beef and 100 percent authentic Mayan and Mexican cuisines all served live by Wild Fresh Mayans to the music of Terra Verra.

For four days, four friends can stay at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar for only $555 per person and enjoy the luxuries of not just one resort, but four. Guests are welcome to dine, visit and watch shows at either the Paraiso del Mar, Paraiso Beach, Paraiso Lindo or Paraiso Maya, which are all in walking distance of each other.

In addition, guests receive full access to the common areas with a shopping center, modern spa with humid areas, Temazcal, hair salon, 28 cabins for treatments, the Underground, a convention center and a golf course.

For an even more affordable trip, you can try the Real Playa del Carmen for $459. Real Playa del Carmen is the best four-star hotel around, providing its guests with every opportunity to totally kick back and relax and all within a tropical village-style resort.

The hotel is located right off of 5th Avenue, a lively pedestrian strip boasting trendy boutiques, art galleries, cafes, jewelry stores and the hottest night clubs in Riviera Maya. The private beach club is a quick 10 minute walk from the hotel or a short complimentary shuttle ride away and provides guests with kayaks and snorkeling equipment.

Whichever hotel you choose, Riviera Maya is the perfect place for all spring break adventures.

Laura Masino can be reached at laura.masino@student.shu.edu.

Great Wolf Lodge

The Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos Mountains is a family resort which houses one of the largest indoor water parks in America. Open all year round, Great Wolf Lodge is ideal for college students who are looking for thrills while staying close to a budget. With various discounts and deals for online members, Great Wolf Lodge guests can experience comforts from home, while still exploring an indoor water park, delve into the arcades, or shop at a nearby mall just five minutes away by car. If reserving a night is too expensive, available passes to the indoor water park and arcades provide day guests to enjoy the resort's amenities without paying a steep price.

The newly constructed water slide called "The Double Barrel Drop" and arcade area "Race Zone" are a few of the upcoming attractions at the Grand Wolf Lodge. As a six story slide, "The Double Barrel Drop" sends guests into an adventure filled with terrifying drops and twist-turning funnels. The "Race Zone" provides students with access to build their own race cars while having a chance to race them down the track. If an 84-degree water park, arcade, and race track are not enough or too juvenile, Great Wolf Lodge offers discounts for ski areas such as Shawnee Mountain Ski Area located in Shawnee-on-Delaware or The Crossing Premium Outlets for shoppers just off Interstate 80, Exit 299.

As we shed our winter coats what better way to start out the new season than by soaking up in Great Wolf Lodge? With its six slide water park and various activities, having fun may not only be fun, but affordable, too. With discounts and savings, room rates can be lower than $300, even less for just a day trip.

Katia Diaz can be reached at katia.diaz@student.shu.edu.

Mountain Creek

With Seton Hall's spring break within the winter season, skiing is a fun, recreational and inexpensive destination.

Mountain Creek Ski Resort in Vernon, NJ is an excellent spring break choice for students who want to get away and have a good time with friends. Not only is it enjoyable and close to South Orange, but it is inexpensive too.

Mountain Creek Ski Resort offers the "ski and stay" until March 19, which is an affordable vacation package for anyone on a budget. It's priced as low as $69.80 a person per night and guests can stay from one to five nights. The special offer also includes free breakfast and a free twilight lift ticket for people staying longer than two nights. Twilight hours begin at 3 p.m.

Mountain Creek Ski Resort is surrounded by snow covered hills and mountains. Snow tubing and snowboarding are options for those who do not ski. Lessons are also available for those who have never tried a winter sport before.

When the slopes close, there is nightlife to enjoy as well. The bar, Kink, is known for attracting people who are looking for fun. Kink provides a DJ from New York City to keep the hotspot alive throughout the night.

Mountain Creek Ski Resort is only a little over an hour drive from South Orange. To find out more about the Mountain Creek Ski Resort in Vernon, NJ, visit the website at www.mountaincreek.com.

Amanda Monteleone can be reached at amanda.monteleone@student.shu.edu.

Atlantic City

For those who are looking for something a little more exciting than home and a little more affordable than Florida or out of the country, Atlantic City is a great alternative.