Endless Summer Vibes: Inside Bad Bunny’s Unforgettable San Juan Residency

Experience the magic of Bad Bunny’s San Juan residency—a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican music and culture in a summer that never ends.

Home Is More Than a Place—It’s a Feeling

There’s something special about feeling at home—not just a spot on the map, but a pulse, a vibe that wraps around you like a warm breeze. For Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, home is Puerto Rico, and this summer, he made it crystal clear. While most artists chase the festival circuit or globe-trot through stadiums, Bad Bunny flipped the script in 2025 by planting his roots firmly in San Juan’s iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot—fondly called El Choli by locals—and inviting the world to come to him.

His latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos), didn’t just top the Billboard charts; it became the soundtrack for this homecoming. After years of showcasing Puerto Rico to global audiences, Bad Bunny’s residency was a heartfelt reverse migration—a way of bringing the world right back to his island’s heart.

Setting the Stage for a Cultural Fiesta

The residency, aptly named No me quiero ir de aquí (I Don’t Want To Leave), was no ordinary concert series. It was a love letter to Puerto Rican heritage, told through sound and spectacle. Walk into El Choli, and you’re greeted by two vivid worlds: on one side, a mountain that seems plucked from El Yunque National Forest, shaped almost like a cemí—the Taíno spirit of nature; on the other, a charming, pastel pink casita, a cozy nod to Caribbean architecture that could easily belong to a beloved aunt in Fajardo or Ponce.

The show’s opening felt like stepping into a storybook. A woman frantically searching for a camera. A man unveiling drums wrapped in tradition—plena rhythms, the island’s heartbeat. Then, like magic, dancers appeared from the mountain, decked out in jíbaro attire with signature pava straw hats—a subtle yet bold emblem of Puerto Rican pride. And there, stage-left, the man of the hour emerged, launching into “ALAMBRE PúA,” a fresh anthem kicking off the night’s journey.

A Sonorous Journey Through Puerto Rican Music

If you know anything about Puerto Rico’s musical soul, you know it’s a vibrant tapestry woven from plena, perreo, and salsa. Bad Bunny embraced all three, reimagining his hits with local flair. Plena drums replaced the dembow beats in songs like “La Santa” (originally with Daddy Yankee) and “Vete,” giving them a fresh, folkloric edge.

Then came the reggaeton party in the pink casita. It was a throwback to the street parties where the genre first ignited, complete with the high-energy “Safaera” from his YHLQMDLG era and the crowd-pleaser “Titi Me Preguntó” off Un Verano Sin Tí. Bad Bunny didn’t just perform—he wandered the stage like a familiar neighbor, moving between the roof and porch of the casita, turning the arena into an intimate block party.

The transition back to the mountain was a masterstroke. Local plena stars Pleneros de la Cresta took the stage, jamming out to “CAFé CON RON” and reminding everyone why plena deserves a global spotlight: “Thank you for getting the world to hear plena puertorriqueña!”

Surprise Guests and Unforgettable Moments

The residency’s magic was boosted by a rotating lineup of special guests that kept fans buzzing. On night 19, Lorén Aldarondo Torres from Puerto Rican indie band Chuwi gave a stirring performance of her “Weltita” verse atop the mountain.

But the true queen of the night? None other than Ivy Queen herself, the undisputed Queen of Reggaeton. Holding court at the casita’s entrance, she delivered a fiery medley capped by her signature banger “Quiero Bailar,” snarling every word as if it was her final curtain call. The energy was electric.

Before diving back into the mountain’s embrace, Bad Bunny asked the crowd to ditch their phones and soak in the moment—an appeal most of the audience honored. The atmosphere? Pure, palpable presence.

Salsa, Suit Up, and Soulful Growth

Next up was salsa—Puerto Rico’s musical jewel with roots deeply entwined with African rhythms. A video tracing salsa’s rich heritage played, setting the tone before Benito appeared in a sharp suit. Backed by the talented band Los Sobrinos, he gave “Callaíta” a fresh twist with timbales and bongos, turning the classic into a dance-floor delight.

Then came the night’s pinnacle: “Baile Inolvidable.” This salsa standout was a revelation, a moment where Bad Bunny channeled legends like Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón while asserting his unique artistry. It was a stunning evolution from the poignant “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii” that came just before, showing that Bad Bunny isn’t just a star—he’s a storyteller growing with every beat.

Three Hours of Endless Summer

Time flew by. Three hours zipped past like a summer breeze, leaving the crowd wanting more. Usually, big arena shows risk dragging, but not this one. From the moment you stepped into El Choli to the last note hanging in the humid Caribbean air, Bad Bunny’s generosity and love for his home shone through every second.

He reminded us all why summer never really ends here. As he emerged from the casita, the opening chords of “Neverita”—a house-influenced banger—filled the arena, and he declared, “Summer ended in most of the world, but we’re in PR.”

“Summer ended in most of the world, but we’re in PR.” – Bad Bunny

That’s the vibe of a true homecoming: endless, electric, and utterly unforgettable.

All quotes have been translated from Spanish.

FAQ

• What is the significance of Bad Bunny’s residency name, No me quiero ir de aquí?
  It translates to “I Don’t Want To Leave,” capturing the artist’s deep connection to Puerto Rico and his desire to celebrate his roots through this residency.
• How does Bad Bunny incorporate traditional Puerto Rican music in his shows?
  He blends genres like plena and salsa into his performances, reinterpreting his hits with local rhythms and instruments to honor his heritage.
• Who are some notable guests who appeared during the residency?
  Guests included Lorén Aldarondo Torres of indie band Chuwi and the legendary Ivy Queen, who energized the crowd with her iconic reggaeton hits.
• What makes the stage design unique?
  The set featured a mountain inspired by El Yunque National Forest and a pink Caribbean-style casita, representing different facets of Puerto Rican culture.
• How long does each residency show last?
  Each show runs approximately three hours, packed with high-energy performances and cultural storytelling that keeps audiences engaged throughout.

If you’ve fallen in love with Bad Bunny’s San Juan residency vibes, why not bring a piece of that magic home? Shop your favorite album cover poster at our store here. It’s a perfect way to keep the endless summer spirit alive every day!