From Ecuador to Seattle: Meet the Fans Who Traveled to Bad Bunny’s Residency
Approximately 200,000 people were expected to visit from abroad to see the August and September shows of Bad Bunny’s Residency in Puerto Rico, according to a Billboard interview with Alejandro Pabón, the promoter from Move Concerts.
Fans arrived from countries like Ecuador, Peru, and El Salvador. Many stepped on Boricua soil for the first time, united by the magnetism of the Conejo Malo and his decision to make the world come to Puerto Rico.
Here we share what some of them told us while waiting to enter the Coliseo de Puerto Rico (El Choli).
🇩🇴 The Dominican Republic is in the house
Carlos Díaz
Díaz, 24 years old and a resident of Santo Domingo, had visited Puerto Rico before, but this was his first time at a concert at the Choliseo. The young man showed great enthusiasm for the experience of seeing Bad Bunny at the 13th edition of the Residency.
He grew up listening to reggaetón artists like Tego Calderón and the duo Wisin y Yandel, has followed the Conejo Malo since 2016, and even managed to see him live in Miami during the X 100PRE tour in 2019.
For him, “Titi Me Preguntó” has become a Dominican anthem because of its merengue rhythm. “100% ours,” he affirmed with pride.
“BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” on the other hand, represents all Latinos. His goal that night was to dance to it “hasta sudar” (until he was sweating).
“[Bad Bunny] is, honestly, showing what it means to be Latino, our music.”
– Carlos Díaz, resident of Santo Domingo.
Nicole Ogando
The Dominican resident of New York arrived at the 10th show of the Residency, and the first Friday for non-resident fans, hoping to hear “WELTiTA,” her favorite for its beachy and tropical vibe.
To reflect the Caribbean theme of the Residency, she chose a long yellow dress with a green plantain print from the brand FARM Rio.
This fruit, essential in Puerto Rican cuisine, also connects with her identity as a Dominican raised in New York. Although she admires traditional elements like the pava (Puerto Rican straw hat), she preferred not to wear symbols she felt didn’t culturally belong to her.
“I decided to wear this dress because I wanted to be ‘on theme.’ This dress has a plantain plant on it, and what’s more Caribbean than that? That’s why I chose it.”
– Nicole Ogando
🌎 Latin America in the house
Javier Terán and his son, José
Father and son describe their first experience on the island as “wonderful” after traveling from Quito, Ecuador. For José, 17 years old and a fan since age 12, this would be his first concert.
Although they faced unexpected challenges looking for tickets, Javier, 56, especially values the warmth of Puerto Ricans.
José vibes especially with “DtMF” and “WELTiTA” from the new album for their danceable energy. He also keeps classics like “La Santa” from YHLQMDLG and “Neverita” from Un Verano Sin Ti on repeat.
“We went through rain, 17 hours in line at the box office. We made friends, we lived an incredible experience…“
– Javier Terán
Mariana Mercedes
Arroz con habichuelas (rice and beans), fresh seafood, beaches, and Puerto Rican warmth. These elements marked the first visit to the island by Mercedes, 51 years old, who arrived from Buenos Aires to fulfill her dream of seeing Bad Bunny in concert.
The Ecuadorian discovered the Boricua artist with YHLQMDLG and Un Verano Sin Ti. This last album deeply impacted her: “I’ve learned how you can be connected with your country even if you don’t live there.”
“No matter how much you’ve emigrated, your roots and family remain fundamental.”
Her favorite song is “DeBí TiRAR MáS FoTOS.”
“I feel like it was written for me. The message reaches me because yes, I should have taken more photos with people who are no longer in my life.”
– Mariana Mercedes
🗽 From NuevaYoL and other states to Puerto Rico
Carlos, a Boricua in the diaspora
Born in Manatí and a New Yorker for over 50 years, Carlos (who preferred not to give his last name) keeps his roots alive from The Bronx.
He feels proud to be from the borough that, according to him, saw the birth of salsa.
In August, he returned to his homeland for the Residency, celebrating “the positive attention that the event brings to the island.” For him, Bad Bunny is “an icon in Puerto Rico and worldwide.”
“We’re supporting the economy here by coming to this beautiful place. I hope Bad Bunny keeps doing this for our Puerto Rico.”
– Carlos
Eric Alvayero
Alvayero, 35 years old, a resident of Queens, New York, explains that beyond listening to Bad Bunny for pleasure, he has managed to connect with his memories of visiting his parents and with his Salvadoran roots, even though Spanish isn’t his first language.
“BAILE INoLVIDABLE” transports him to his childhood, when his parents filled the house with bachata, merengue, and salsa.
“[Bad Bunny] represents a new generation that rescues those sounds. It’s the old renewed for the new. The younger generation will be able to appreciate [those sounds] much better.”
– Eric Alvayero
Tony and Natalia del Río
Tony and Natalia del Río are a Peruvian couple who have made Seattle their home—Tony has been living in the Pacific Northwest for 15 years, while Natalia arrived 3 years ago from Lima.
For the couple, this trip represents much more than a concert: it’s their first time in Puerto Rico, an island that both now say they will want to visit more frequently.
“I like him because he seems very sincere in what he sings. In who he is. He’s authentic and I like that he’s producing music celebrating where he’s from. Now we want to come every year.”
– Natalia del Río
For the couple, Bad Bunny’s decision to hold the concerts exclusively in Puerto Rico is “genius”—a strategy they consider key for visitors to get to know the island more deeply.
When asked which guest artist she would like to see at the Residency alongside Bad Bunny, Natalia responded “Kanny García” without much thought.
📍 Bonus: From Cabo Rojo and Aguadilla
Ilia Loperna, 80 years old and a resident of Aguadilla, arrived at show #13 of the Conejo Malo with her grandson Adrián Frontera, 22 years old and a resident of Cabo Rojo. Grandmother and grandson arrived dressed in pavas (traditional Puerto Rican straw hats), bandanas around their necks, and single-star flags in hand.
For Ilia, being present at the concert was “an honor.” “I asked Adrián to bring me,” she confessed with determination.
Her favorites are “DtMF” and “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” because they celebrate island culture and “they’re the only ones I know,” admitted the Aguadilla native with a laugh.
“I never imagined taking my grandmother to a Bad Bunny concert, especially at her insistence. We’re super proud and happy to be here.”
– Adrián Frontera
The Conejo Malo announced his world tour “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” spanning 23 stadiums across 4 continents. This tour will mark the first time the Conejo Malo performs in Australia, Brazil, and Japan.
The tour started in November in the Dominican Republic, one month after closing his historic 30-date residency at El Choliseo.
Interviews compiled by Ángeles Rodríguez and Andrea Pérez.
