A love letter to Puerto Rico: Bad Bunny’s “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” Residency

Design by Daniela Hernandez

For over 10 weeks, more than 600,000 fans flooded Puerto Rico to watch Bad Bunny’s “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” (I Don’t Want to Leave Here) Residency tour. Starting on July 11, a total of 31 shows were hosted, the first nine being exclusively for Puerto Rican residents. But this tour was not a normal one for Bad Bunny and the people of Puerto Rico–it was a celebration of their music, culture, and national pride. 

Bad Bunny has been recognized as the No.1 artist in the world for several years. He rose to global fame when he released his album “Un Verano Sin Ti” (A Summer Without You) in 2022. It reached over 20.65 billion streams, making it the most-streamed album on Spotify. Success continued with his later albums: “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” (No One Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow) and “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” (I Should Have Taken More Pictures). His latest album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” was released on Jan. 5, 2025 and named his “most Puerto rican album yet.” It had over 1.1 billion streams less than a year after its release. 

Building on the momentum of this album’s success, he announced his “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” Residency: a series of concerts hosted in Puerto Rico only, something no other artist has ever done. This marked a personal chapter for Bad Bunny because it was a chance to show his fans and the world his music, Puerto Rican roots, and love for the island. 

During the tour, people called the area outside of El Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot (nicknamed “El Choli”), the “San Benito Festival” because this area transformed into a block party with food trucks, DJs, and live music, available to fans with and without tickets. 

Attendees described this concert as a “celebration of Puerto Rico’s heritage” where people of all ages and generations could dance and sing along. To conclude his “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny hosted a special performance on Sept. 20, 2025, the eighth anniversary of Hurricane Maria (a hurricane that killed around 3,000 people and destroyed Puerto Rico’s electrical system) and livestreamed it globally on Prime Video. 

In addition to its cultural influence, the residency also had a major impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and tourism. The concerts generated an estimated $733 million boost to the local economy, and helped sustain many jobs in the tourism, hospitality, and entertainment industries. Many concert attendees extended their stay beyond the shows, exploring Puerto Rico’s attractions such as beaches, nightlife, local shops, and historic sites, which further supported local businesses and vendors.

In the end, Bad Bunny didn’t just prove he is truly one of the greatest artists of all time but reminded everyone why.