If sand in your suit and heat rash in Cancun isn’t your idea of a good time, or if your wallet is more depleted than the ozone layer, you aren’t subjected to just sitting in the house all break while your friends are partying on Puerto Rico’s pristine beaches. There are ways to travel that can be wallet- and sunburn-friendly. Here are some great, cheap ways to get away and still have money left for an extra round of shots. So, wherever you find yourself during spring break, have fun and be safe!

Go down the CapeThe Cape is a great place to visit for a great time with friends. While it’s a bustling and family-friendly tourist attraction in the summer, going to the Cape during the off-season (in March for example) is a great way to enjoy the sights sans screaming kids. Some attractions are closed until June, but if you look hard enough and get creative, there are tons of places to visit during the day and to gear up for the nightlife the Cape has to offer.

Things to DoZooquarium (674 Route 28, Yarmouth, MA): For under $10, you can see native mammals and marine life up-close and personal. It’s a great place to go, especially during spring break, as you are not likely to be fighting with kids to get a peek at the many species of birds, reptiles and furry little friends. Open Daily from 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., except Tuesday.

The Island Merchant (302 Main Street, Hyannis, MA): The Island Merchant is home to great nightlife and even better food. Come on in for nightly live music and DJ’s with no cover. Hungry? Check out the wide menu with delicious food. Heads up: stop in anytime between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. for $2 burgers and homemade Key Lime Pie.

British Beer Company (locations in Cedarville, Falmouth, Plymouth, Sandwich and Hyannis): As the website claims, the British Beer Company is the place “where everyone is treated like royalty!” Throw a few back while relaxing with friends and enjoying some live music from local and national talent. The BBC is a traditional British-style pub, and you have your choice of the regulars (Budweiser, Sam Adams, Heineken) as well as other eclectic brews on tap from all over the world. The BBC is also famous for its delicious pub fare, so grab a bite to eat in-between pints and rock out to some live music with your friends.

Lodging on the CapeBecause it’s March, many of the hotels and resorts on Cape Cod offer off-season specials on rooms. You can easily save up to 60% on a hotel room by booking during the week of spring break. Websites like Orbitz.com and Hotels.com can help you find the best rate on a number of hotels, or you can call the hotel you are looking for directly to find out if they offer any weekly specials.

Hit the slopesFor a little bit of cash and a few sticks of lip balm, you can have an amazing spring break hitting the powdery slopes of some of New England’s hottest ski and snowboard destinations. Many hotels and resorts offer ski packages for pretty minimal money, especially if you are traveling with a group, and everyone can split the cost and have a great time. Here are just some great deals for a ski vacation to remember:

Bernherof Inn (Mount Washington Valley, NH): It costs $369 (about $190 pp) for a two-night stay in a deluxe Jacuzzi room, 2 adult ski passes, a “hearty country breakfast” each morning and dinner for two one night.

Red Apple Inn (Glen, NH, in the White Mountains): For $299 (about $150 pp) you get a two-night hotel stay, continental breakfast bar, 2 ski tickets for Black Mountain and dinner at one of two local hotel restaurants.

Grand Summit Resort Hotel (at Sunday River Mountain): For a quick, one-night ski escape, $129 pp will get you one night of lodging, 2 days of skiing at Sunday River, lessons at the Perfect Turn ski clinics and dinner and breakfast at your hotel.

A More Meaningful BreakWant to do something good for humanity during break? There are plenty of ways to spend your break doing meaningful work here in Boston and return back to school with a sense of accomplishment and good karma.

Greater Boston Food Bank: Help serve meals to the less fortunate (617-427-5200).

Community Art Center: Help children and adults realize their potential through the arts (617-868-7100).

Rosie’s Place: Volunteer at this safe haven for poor and homeless women (617-442-9322).

Animal Rescue League of Boston: Help care for and play with animals in shelters (617-426-9170).

For more volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteerboston.org.

Get the hook-upSometimes being a student pays. Sure, the tests suck and going to class is not the greatest sometimes, but being a college student definitely has its perks. Here are some discounts your student ID can help you get during spring break, or anytime.

Free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Discounted tickets to the Museum of Science (see Student Life for more info).

Free admission to JFK Museum and Library.

Reduced admission to the New England Aquarium and IMAX Theater.

Many retail stores, salons, sporting goods stores, and even rent-a-car agents offer discounts for college students, so even if you find yourself staying in the Boston area for spring break, you can score some great deals.