Spring Break in Mexico -- for Grownups

Just because you're an adult doesn't mean you can't do Spring Break.

It was an essential part of your college education, those two-weeks in March and April that led to places like Mazatlan and

Cancun for an endless party. The vacations usually included a ceremonial stay at a horrible high-rise hotel, meals at reputed beach shacks between all-day booze-cruises and all-night binge drinking.

Luckily, you've grown up a bit and although you've hardly got a free week of vacation or 20-something party stamina, there is still a good time to be had for grownups.

Let's take an older, hopefully wiser, look at a few quintessential Mexican Spring Break destinations.

The Green Spring Break
Hotel Azucar at Veracruz

The idea of an eco-friendly Mexican resort may sound far-fetched, but acclaimed hotelier Carlos Couturier of über-chic Habita and Deseo hotels is looking to change all that with the debut of Veracruz's first environmentally-friendly hotel.

Most guests arrive via specially arranged airfare from Mexico City; otherwise it's a very long drive through the local mountains. The hotel name is derived from the area's sugar factories, a tribute to the eastern state's dominant industry.

The decor of Hotel Azucar mixes bohemian chic and eclectic seaside decor with individually selected driftwood and 1930s furnishings from Couturier's grandparents' farm.

The property features an intensive holistic spa with daily yoga sessions by well-sculpted and spiritually developed locals. It's not all serious spiritual business -- a hip pool area sizzles with all-day grooves at a swim-up bar or people catching a tan atop brightly colored beanbag loungers with silky pillows.