Here’s How to Spend 3 Days in Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico

Late Checkout is TQE’s travel vertical. Whether you’re seeking an Eat Pray Love moment of your own, or a wholesome family sojourn, we hope you embark on an adventure requisite of a late checkout below.

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.

We like

We don't like

When the singer Bad Bunny announced his summer 2025 residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, more than 2.5 million people registered for the concert's online presale. About 400,000 of those fans got a chance to purchase tickets, half of whom plan to visit from the mainland U.S. and throughout Latin America.  

The 30-night residency, titled No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí (I Don't Want to Leave Here), kicks off this month. The first nine shows are reserved for local residents — a move that reinforces Bad Bunny’s ongoing pride in his native island and its people — and the remaining 21 shows are open to the general public.

When I visited San Juan over four days in April, the city was already buzzing with anticipation of the upcoming summer residency. At the Ocean Restaurant and Lounge, an upscale eatery next to the Caribe Hilton Resort, chefs were adding special menu items just for concertgoers. At Casa Histórica de la Música en Cayey, a music history museum, tour guides pointed out Bad Bunny’s early influences. His music played everywhere we went. 

Whether you have the opportunity to see Bad Bunny perform at what will no doubt be a historic event, or you’re planning on a Puerto Rico trip later on, here are 5 ways to immerse in the culture, natural beauty, and history that inspire his music.

1. Sip a Piña Colada (or Three) at Its Birthplace, Caribe Hilton

A piña colada by the pool at the Caribe Hilton, the cocktail’s birthplace. Photo courtesy of Caribe Hilton

Aside from Bad Bunny, one of Puerto Rico’s most well-known contributions to the cultural zeitgeist is the Piña Colada. Just one sip brings to mind tall palm trees and cool ocean breezes, so it’s no wonder the cocktail has come to represent a relaxed, vacation state of mind. 

Yet few people know the real history of this beloved frozen cocktail. 

In 1954, a man named Ramón "Monchito" Marrero worked as a bartender at the Caribe Hilton resort in San Juan, which was the Hilton hotel chain’s first international property. Monchito was tasked with creating a new guest welcome drink that embodied the spirit of Puerto Rico. The first iteration was a virgin drink, featuring just coconut cream and pineapple juice, but was later mixed with Don Q rum to become the famous cocktail you know it as today.

Ramón "Monchito" Marrero mixing up piña coladas. Photo courtesy of Caribe Hilton

At Caribe Hilton’s Caribe Bar, you can get the signature DonQ version or the virgin option — a perk both for kids, and the grownup non-drinker, like me. They also have creative, modern twists on the creamy, decadent treat, such as piña colada panna cotta for dessert. If you’re a fan of frozen coconut drinks, you’re already a friend of mine, but trust me on this one: Until you’ve sipped the original piña colada from Caribe Hilton, you haven’t really had one.

Plus, with comfortable, ocean-facing rooms, a swim-up bar, and a private beach, this resort is also a great place to stay. 

Caribe Hilton resort views, photos by Michelle Polizzi

2. A Trek in El Yunque National Forest

Overlooking the treetops in El Yunque National Forest. Photo courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico

For most people, a Puerto Rico vacation brings to mind poolside cocktails and a whole lot of lying around. 

But what if I told you one of the best things to do when visiting Puerto Rico is far from a sunny beach, and that, in fact, it’ll probably include rain? 

Enter: El Yunque, a national forest on the northeast side of Puerto Rico, in the lush Luquillo mountains. As the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, El Yunque offers a unique array of plants and animals you won’t find anywhere else on the mainland, including the Puerto Rican parrot.

Start your visit at the El Portal Rainforest Center. Nestled on the edge of a forest overlook, this building doesn’t just offer information and history that will enrich your visit, but it makes you feel as though you yourself are in the trees, sparking wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

El Yunque visitor center, photos by Discover Puerto Rico (1) Michelle Polizzi (2)

It was at the visitor center that we began hunting for coqui, a tiny, native tree frog known for its loud, nocturnal mating call. Our guide told us coqui could be found seeking shelter beneath fallen branches and inside giant, curled leaves, but the amphibian evaded us throughout our walk. We still got a chance to see an abundance of tropical birds, plants, and flowers while also experiencing the predictable rainfall that makes this, well, a rainforest.

El Yunque visitor centerImage courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico

3. Tour Old San Juan on Ebike

Old San Juan. Image courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico

Drive into Old San Juan by rental car, and you’re likely to regret it. The narrow cobblestone streets just weren’t meant for today’s modern vehicles, and if you go during a busy time, such as the residency, when tens of thousands of people will be in town on any given weekend, you’ll find yourself stuck in traffic, missing out on your time in this beautiful city.  

The best solution? Schedule a tour with Loop Experiences, which is located just around the corner from Caribe Hilton. They offer a range of ebikes, plus a fleet of Segway eMopeds that are easy to balance and drive. Plus, zipping to Old Town San Juan on one of these makes you feel very cool, especially once you spot the sweeping views of El Morro — a 16th century-fortress built by Spanish colonizers, and later used by the United States in both world wars. 

El Morro in Old San Juan. photos by Michelle Polizzi

El Morro is breathtaking, but visiting with a local tour guide from Loop Experiences made it all the more meaningful because it contextualized the landmark within the oppressive history of colonization on the island, while also highlighting the resilience and cultural contributions of the Puerto Rican people. 

4. Stop by Café con Ron, Bad Bunny’s Popup Bar

Views of Café con Ron, Bad Bunny’s popup bar in Old San Juan. Photos by Michelle Polizzi

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has used his massive platform to draw attention to important issues affecting Puerto Rico, such as calling out the lasting devastation of Hurricane Maria on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in 2018. Bad Bunny also honors the rich musical history of his home region, both through his lyrics and the instruments that accompany them. 

If you’re visiting during Bad Bunny’s residency, be sure to visit his coffee bar, Café con Ron, which is named after one of his songs. This seemingly humble spot offers delicious beverages all day: coconut iced coffees by day (dare I say the best one I’ve ever had?), beer on tap by afternoon, and a plethora of cocktails by night. 

Cafe con Ron is just one more way that Bad Bunny celebrates his home island and leaves his legacy, and no matter what time of day you go, the design, flavors, and vibes are on point.

5. Dinner at Verde Mesa, a Farm-to-Table Restaurant

Dinner selections at Verde Mesa. Image courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico 

If you want to end your stay in San Juan on a high note, look no further than dinner at Verde Mesa. This vegan-friendly, sustainability-focused restaurant was the first of its kind in San Juan, putting locally sourced, farm-to-table cuisine on the map. Owner Loyda Rosa started out by driving around to local farms and collecting produce, including ingredients that weren’t going to be used, then bringing it back to her restaurant’s kitchen. Verde Mesa helped revitalize Old San Juan, bringing in local residents and tourists to try this new take on Puerto Rican food. She’s also helping dismantle the legacy of imported, packaged food, an echo of colonization, by enabling a self-sufficient and healthy supply chain.

Inside, you’ll be transported to another mindset through the artfully mis-matched furniture and shabby-chic decor, a blend of both coastal elegance and renaissance glamour. Then, you’ll taste the food, and you’ll fall deeper down the Verde Mesa rabbit hole, a place you’ll very much want to stay. I recommend the Verde Mesa rice, a delightful vegetarian dish that surprised me with new flavors and textures, even after fifteen years of not eating meat. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or a serious carnivore, there’s something for every diner here, making it great for groups.

For more things to do in San Juan:

Since it was my first time in Puerto Rico, I can’t pretend to be an expert. But I do know what the locals I met taught me: Puerto Rico is so much more than a vacation destination. It is a culturally-rich place whose people are warm, diverse, hospitable, and resilient — a trait that after hundreds of years, they unfortunately have to continue practicing. 

If you plan a trip to San Juan, make sure to leave your resort and explore the old town. Dine in restaurants owned by local people; visit arts and history organizations run by volunteers. Puerto Rico deserves far more respect and support than it receives, but by planning your visit intentionally, you can enjoy the island’s beauty and make a positive impact along the way. 

No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.
No items found.

Shop The Edit

No items found.

Additional Reading

No items found.