If you're a die-hard Bad Bunny fan, no photo will replace being part of No me quiero ir de aquí, the Latin trap superstar's first musical residency, which opened this Friday, July 11, at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and runs for 30 dates through Sept. 14.
Built around his sixth album Debí tirar más fotos (DtMF), this concert marathon is "a love letter to Puerto Rico" that explores the Island's musical roots, from bomba and plena to old-school reggaetón.
With that in mind, and following Benito's own cues, here are 9 places that capture the essence of this album so you can experience Puerto Rico in the most authentic way during your stay.
1. VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR
📍Isla Verde, Carolina
Ella sabe que aquí hay ticket
Quiere que yo se la aplique
Que pa' casa la trafique
For most visitors arriving in Puerto Rico from outside, Isla Verde is their gateway to the Island. This community in the northeast of the town of Carolina borders directly on the coastal corridor of Ocean Park and Condado, in San Juan, and shares their spectacular shoreline.
The district has a healthy tourism scene and a vibrant nightlife. If you find yourself in the area during your visit, we recommend spots such as the Carolina public beach, Hobbie Beach, and the well-known Bistro Café.
2. BAILE INoLVIDABLE
📍El Boricua, Río Piedras, San Juan
Yo bailo con usted, na' más con usted
Un beso donde estés, donde estés, bebé
The Río Piedras community is the bohemian soul of the metropolitan area of the capital city, San Juan. It is home to the main campus of the Universidad de Puerto Rico, with its iconic Torre Roosevelt, and a homegrown community of artists and cultural figures.
Also, on a corner of Calle Saldaña, sits the bar El Boricua, where Benito performed BAILE INoLVIDABLE live for the first time on Jan. 15, at a surprise acoustic concert alongside DtMF guests.
El Boricua also hosts musical acts every week, with concerts ranging from plena, bomba and salsa to jazz, rock and electronic music.
3. PERFuMITO NUEVO with Rainao
📍Cañon El Salto, Coamo
Hoy le dimo' y mañana le damo'
De weekend en Coamo, en la montaña te vo'a hacer la rusa, ey
Take the chance to venture out on a misioneo beyond the metropolitan area, as Rainao recommends in PERFuMITO NUEVO.
Coamo is a historic town south of the Cordillera mountain range, known for its mix of natural beauty, colonial architecture and historic thermal springs. The Baños de Coamo, in use since the 19th century, are fed by geothermal springs and offer a refreshing experience surrounded by mountains.
If you're looking for adventure, we recommend a hike to Cañón El Salto, a little-known stop even among locals where the river winds between stone walls and hidden pools.
4. WELTiTA with Chuwi
📍 Pozo de Jacinto, Playa Jobos, Isabela
Y en el pozo nos dimos la mano
Y gritamo': “¡Jacinto!"
On the magnificent, windy coast of Isabela, in the northwest of the Island, a cattle farmer named Jacinto lost his cow when it fell into a large sinkhole beside the sea.
While trying to rescue it, Jacinto also disappeared into the pit, without a trace. Since then, the legend goes, if someone shouts his name at that spot, the winds stir and the sea roars as if Jacinto himself were answering the echo of his tragedy.
Well, at least that is what the legend evoked by the Isabela band Chuwi says.
True or not, Pozo de Jacinto remains an impressive attraction along Isabela's tourist coast, which stretches four miles from the neighboring Playa de Jobos to Playa Sardinera, steps from the town's historic downtown.
5. BOKeTE
📍 Charco El Ataúd, Adjuntas
Mis sentimientos cambian como estaciones
Y aunque en PR todo el tiempo es verano
Estoy pasando frío, escuchando estas canciones
Some days in Puerto Rico are more gray than green, as in the ballads of El Conejo. In moments of heartbreak or nostalgia, it may help to head into the mountains and reflect among nature.
The town of Adjuntas, tucked into the foothills of la Cordillera, is considered one of the coldest towns on the Island.
There, along a trail on the outskirts of the historic downtown, you'll find Charco El Ataúd: a striking pool of cold but pleasant water, covered and sheltered by the surrounding forest.
*Editorial note: Watch out for sudden surges of water. As with any river adventure, we urge you to check the weather forecast before heading in.
6. KLOuFRENS
📍Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan
Pelinegra o blondie, ma, tú ere' la baby
Dando vuelta' por la SanSe escuchando a Dei V y a Ousi
(KLOuFRENS)
Calle San Sebastián runs through the old city of San Juan from west to east, ending at Plaza de la Beneficencia with a view of the monumental Castillo San Felipe del Morro. It also takes center stage during the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, a nationally significant festival that serves as the unofficial close of the Christmas season.
After the release of DtMF, Bad Bunny also left his mark on the most recent edition of the festival by opening Café con Ron, a coffee bar a few steps from Plaza San José. All in all, it's a good place to invite (or avoid) that little green circle that's getting your hopes up again.
7. CAFé CON RON
📍 Ruta Gastronómica PR-152, Naranjito
En el monte, hoy se rompe
Desde que sale el sol hasta que se esconde
The concept of chinchorreo (hopping between chinchorros) captures one of the most storied group outings in Puerto Rico. This deeply local tradition embodies the spirit of this song: going from spot to spot eating, drinking and having a good time, starting in the morning and ending at night.
In Naranjito, less than an hour's drive from San Juan, the gastronomic route winds through curves and sweeping views, passing about 20 businesses packed with fried food, grilled meat, plenty of plantain and, yes, even more rum.
8. DtMF
📍 Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Old San Juan
Otro sunset bonito que veo en San Juan
Disfrutando de todas esas cosas que extrañan los que se van
The nostalgic longing Bad Bunny evokes in DtMF calls to mind the capital's captivating sky, which turns gold every afternoon and transforms the city into a living postcard.
There are exceptional spots to catch the sunset, from the sands of Ocean Park and Condado to the rooftops of Hato Rey. None of them, however, can compete with a sunset from atop the walls of Old San Juan, particularly on the wide esplanade in front of Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
9. LA MuDANZA
📍El Ojo de Agua, Vega Baja
Diciеmbre del 92 con Tito se casó
Ante' de irse pa' Almirante donde se conocieron
Vega Baja, the birthplace of El Conejo. Many people passing through this town on their way to or from San Juan are unaware of the ecological treasures it holds, such as the balneario Puerto Nuevo or the striking Charco Azul.
It is at the Ojo de Agua spring, however, that the collective pride and human warmth that define Puerto Rico, and come through so clearly in DtMF, truly come to light.
This freshwater spring has been revitalized by residents and local organizations as part of an effort to protect its ecological and social value, making it a symbol of pride for the community.
Ojo de Agua has also been a quiet witness to love stories like the one Benito tells in LA MuDANZA. This corner of Vega Baja will welcome you with open arms, just as the Island does for those who return to it.
The Island is ready. Are you?
You may not be able to make all 30 dates of this monumental residency, but Puerto Rico is there every day waiting for you. So start the car, turn up the volume and let yourself follow the route Benito mapped out for us.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
