When high school or college students from the mainland consider a spring break destination, they typically think of beaches, parties, and all-inclusive hotels in Mexico or the Dominican Republic. For families seeking convenience and a beach, Florida might be the first destination that comes to mind. With all that Puerto Rico has to offer, researchers wanted to know why our island is not often top of mind for mainland Americans seeking a great place to spend their spring break.

According to extensive research by the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), this is the case because mainland Americans have a neutral perception of Puerto Rico. For the most part, people don't know what to think about Puerto Rico and they may not realize the benefits of spending spring break in its tropical paradise. This leaves us with a clean slate and a lot of room for improvement.

The experts at the DMO are in the best position to help improve tourism on the island, but in the meantime, as an unofficial ambassador, I wanted to share some experiences I hope will update the perception of Puerto Rico among spring breakers from neutral to positive.

For the Adventurer

For those who like to explore while on vacation, Puerto Rico's landscape offers a lot more than beautiful tropical beaches. You can hike in the rainforest, swim in caves and caverns, or visit Cabo Rojo's salt flats. If you're a thrill seeker, you can take a trip to Orocovis and experience one of the longest ziplines in the world that reaches speeds of up to 95 mph (and Jimmy Fallon did it!).

For the Leisurer

For those looking to destress and relax, you can stay in one of the many boutique hotels on the island offering a relaxing, friendly experience. The Wave Hotel offers panoramic city views that you can enjoy while dipping in one of their whirlpools. At Casa Flamboyan you can stay in Puerto Rico's tropical rainforest and swim in private waterfalls. Punta Borinquen Resort offers the ultimate relaxation experience at Heavenly Spa.

For the Socializer

After a day at the beach or exploring, the nightlife in Puerto Rico is unique and memorable. A couple examples include La Placita where you can dance with the locals and drink Medallas. La Placita offers the best of both worlds: bars lining the streets, so you can enjoy the cool nights and live music, for the full Puerto Rican experience. Explore Old San Juan, which has cocktail bars, craft beer shops, and holes-in-the-wall that are filled with tourists and locals alike.

Convenience for Everybody

When you arrive in Puerto Rico for spring break, no passport is required, cellular service won't roam, and the U.S. dollar is our currency; none of this is true for destinations like Mexico or the Dominican Republic.

Puerto Rico has something to offer for everyone from its terrain to its culture to its lively nightlife. If you're one of the lucky ones who still get a spring break vacation every year, put Puerto Rico at the top of your list; the island is waiting for you.

*Mark E. Curry is a leading entrepreneur, philanthropist and impact investor. Curry founded SOL Partners in Puerto Rico in 2012, and in January 2017 completed acquisition of NotiCel. As Chair of the Mark E. Curry Family Foundation, he invests in critical community charitable organizations.