Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny has spent 2025 reminiscing about his native island and promoting Latin American culture with his hit album "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos." Now, thousands of tourists from around the world are descending on the Caribbean island to see the superstar, boosting the local economy overnight.
Visitors come not only to see him but to explore his island. Thousands have stood in line for days or waited hours online to snag a ticket for the reggaeton singer and rapper, one of the most streamed artists in the world.
A father and son with the same name, Eddie Villanueva, traveled from Switzerland for a full Bad Bunny experience on a $5,000 budget, including $40 tickets for a tour of the star's hometown of Vega Baja.
"Delighted. Incredible," the younger Villanueva told The Associated Press.
Hotels are also riding the Benitofever, participating in packages for tourists, which include the concert and which have generated nearly $200 million, according to Discover Puerto Rico, an organization that promotes the island.
Hotel reservations were 10% higher on July 27, compared with the same date last year. Short-term rentals are up 42% this month, compared to last August, and 61% higher for September. With up to hundreds of dollars per concert ticket, the show is expected to also attract about 600,000 people.
Likewise, nearly 7% more flights were booked between July and September from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico's main international airport than during the same period last year, according to the Associated Press.
Local businesses and establishments have also seemed to flourish amid the tour. Tourists have made their way to grocery stores, clothing shops and schools that were once attended by the singer. G8, a nonprofit that helps impoverished communities in the capital San Juan, launched a $25 guided bike tour called "I should have biked more," a play on Bad Bunny's latest album, which translates to "I should have taken more photos."
Another nonprofit, Accion Valerosa, partnered with the music group Los Pleneros de la Cresta, which plays at Bad Bunny's concerts, to create the "Cafe con Ron" tour, named after one of his songs.
Traditional tourism hasn't stayed behind during the residency, which runs through mid-September. Popular tourist attractions, such as El Yunque tropical forest, Old San Juan, and local beaches have seen more traffic. Other, less-known landmarks, such as Cabo Rojo, the southernmost point of Puerto Rico, have also quickly made their way into tourists' must-see.
"Thanks to Bad Bunny, a lot of our landmarks have become known," Angel Rodriguez, owner of the Boquemar hotel in Cabo Rojo, told AP News.
Heidy Crespo, who leads tours of Bad Bunny's hometown, said dozens of people have signed up, with officials noting they have generated some $1,000 in revenue.
"I never thought people would want to see where he worked," she said. "But I love it. I love seeing people's eyes shine."
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