Bad Bunny Concludes Record-Breaking Puerto Rico Residency, Boosting Island Economy
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Bad Bunny concluded a historic six-night residency at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan on Sunday, marking a triumphant return to his homeland and delivering a significant economic boost to Puerto Rico. The concerts drew approximately half a million attendees and generated an estimated $733 million for the island, according to a new study by Gaither International.
The residency wasn’t simply a series of concerts; it was a cultural and economic revitalization for Puerto Rico, still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017. The influx of tourism and spending represents a crucial injection of capital,offering tangible support to local businesses and communities.Bad Bunny’s decision to perform extensively in Puerto Rico underscores his commitment to the island and provides a powerful symbol of resilience and pride for its people, even as he prepares to embark on a global tour excluding the United States due to concerns over immigration policies.
The majority of concertgoers - roughly 70% – were female, with an average age of 33. Most visitors originated from the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Spain, staying an average of nearly nine nights. The event resonated deeply with locals, like Shamira Oquendo, 25, who described the concerts as “emotional,” recalling the hardship caused by Hurricane Maria and the loss experienced by many in her community.
During Saturday’s final performance, Bad Bunny expressed gratitude to his fans, stating, “I’m going to miss you a lot. I’m going to miss this energy,” and encouraged the crowd to embrace love. The moment sparked a wave of emotion, with attendees embracing and some shedding tears.
As fans departed the stadium, a spontaneous cry of “Yo soy boricua!” (“I am Puerto Rican!”) erupted, met with the resounding response, “Pa’ que tú lo sepas!” (“So that you know it!”) – a customary expression of Puerto Rican identity and pride.
Bad bunny, recently nominated for 12 Latin Grammy Awards, will begin a worldwide tour in December, with scheduled performances in Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Spain, France, and Sweden. He is notably foregoing concerts in the U.S., citing concerns regarding the arrest of immigrants.
