If there’s one thing Bad Bunny knows how to do — besides dropping summer anthems (any time of the year) and rewriting the rules of contemporary Latin music — it’s revealing Puerto Rico as the ultimate travel destination. Some of us have known about the island’s majesty all along, but many others are flocking here this summer.
The numbers don’t lie; Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated 30-function “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency has fans scrambling to book flights to Puerto Rico. According to data from Booking.com, flights to Puerto Rico skyrocketed by a whopping 217% during his residency announcement window, and hotel bookings saw an 88% increase compared to the same time last year. In other words: Benito (the singer’s birth name) isn’t just selling out shows — he’s bringing diverse revenues to the island.
Bad Bunny, one of the world’s most-streamed artists and Puerto Rico’s querendón, is at the center of that cultural shift. His concerts aren’t just performances — they’re homecomings, love letters to the island, and immersive experiences in Caribbean culture.
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And while nearly every demographic under the sun will be represented at his concerts, he’s set aside the first nine of the 21 shows for Puerto Rican residents only. Tickets will be sold at locations on the island, ensuring that buyers are local. While we know Bad Bunny appreciates all his fans, he’s expressed wanting to show extra love to the island that made him.
More and more fans are choosing to visit Puerto Rico not just for the beaches, but also because reggaetón artists, such as Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and others, are known for putting on extra-special shows when they perform at home.
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“One of the things that we try to do as best as we can at Coliseo is source things locally,” says Jorge Pérez, regional general manager for ASM Global, which manages El Coliseo de Puerto Rico, where Bad Bunny will perform his residency. “Typically, at our concessions, you can purchase pizza, hamburgers, nachos, but for Benito’s residency, we’re going to have a local menu including alcapurrias and bacalaitos.”
This is especially symbolic on an island where 85% of the food is imported, largely due to the Jones Act — a century-old federal law that requires all goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on U.S.-built, owned, and operated vessels. This restriction drives up shipping costs to Puerto Rico, making imported goods more expensive for consumers and limiting the competitiveness of local agriculture. Bad Bunny’s residency is quite literally impacting all sectors.
When 18,000 fans pour into the iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico (affectionately known as El Choli) night after night, they get an opportunity to explore, eat and they post on social media. They can take the Benito pilgrimage from San Juan’s vibrant nightlife to the waterfalls of El Yunque, and from the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan to the beaches of Rincón. It’s not just tourism, it’s cultural immersion through the lens of reggaetón.
And as a local and travel enthusiast, I have to weigh in. If you’re thinking of joining the wave and don’t know where to stay, aquí te dejo un par de tips:
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For a luxurious stay in Condado, Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is always a top contender on my list — it serves old-school glamour with modern comforts and sweeping oceanfront views. La Concha is a bespoke, luxe experience from top to bottom. If you’re craving something more intimate nearby, Dreamcatcher in Ocean Park is a charming, vegetarian B&B just steps from the sand.
In Old San Juan, the ALMA Hotel blends chic colonial architecture with top-tier culinary experiences, making it a stylish home base for exploring the city’s rich history. And over in Isla Verde (a quick ride from the airport yet shockingly peaceful and chic), the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel has its own vibrant social scene and serves incredible Puerto Rican food at its best restaurant, Caña.
And if you want to support local homeowners, consider booking an Airbnb in neighborhoods like San Juan, Carolina, or Bayamón, where your stay directly benefits the communities that make the island so magical.
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How Bad Bunny Is Fueling Tourism To Puerto Rico
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