If there’s one place in the world to experience the full gravitational pull of one of Latin music’s most magnetic superstar today — Bad Bunny — it’s at San Juan’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, commonly referred to as “El Choli” by locals.
This Friday, Bad Bunny will transform the venue into a cultural epicenter with his unprecedented 30-show residency: No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí (I Don’t Want To Leave Here). Running from July 11 to Sept. 14, the concert series will showcase his Billboard 200 top-charting album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, which dropped earlier this year.
Historically, a sold-out performance at the Coliseo is a rite of passage for Latin music stars. Located in San Juan’s bustling Milla de Oro district, the 18,500-seat venue has hosted icons like Daddy Yankee, Wisin & Yandel, and even Metallica. However, Benito’s residency is something entirely unique.
With roughly half of the 400,000 tickets already purchased, it’s drawing fans from across the globe to Puerto Rico, turning the island into a summer hotspot. Hotels are booked. Local restaurants are gearing up for droves of hungry concertgoers. Entire businesses are staffing up to keep pace with the demand.
This comprehensive guide will help concert-goers navigate the excitement surrounding El Conejo Malo’s residency. Whether you’re flying in for a party-filled weekend or a Nuyorican reconnecting with their roots — one thing’s for sure: El Choli is the place to be this summer.
Billboard breaks down everything you need to know: where to eat local, where to visit while in San Juan, what to wear and more.
-
Getting There & Parking
El Coliseo is located in the Hato Rey business center of San Juan (500 Av. Arterial B, San Juan, 00918, Puerto Rico). To get there, plan on arriving early as there may be delays and traffic jams.
Getting dropped off via ride share is always the best option to get to El Coliseo. Starting Tuesday (July 8), Lyft is offering discounted rides to and from Bad Bunny’s summer residency now through July 27. Fans attending the residents-only concert can use promo code ACHOPR to get 60% off two Lyft rides (max $12 per ride). The ride share is also offering 50% off a rider’s first 5 rides in their first 14 days with code WEPA (max $10 per ride).
Another convenient option is the Tren Urbano (San Juan’s elevated rapid transit system), with the Hato Rey stop located near the venue.
El Coliseo offers on-site parking — located in front of the main entrance — ranging from $15 to $30, depending on the event. There’s also the Banco Popular Garage located across the metro station, the new multi-story San Juan garage located behind the Coliseo, and street parking, but do arrive early as these fill up quickly.
-
What to Wear
Concerts are the perfect spot to make a fashion statement, but for this precise show, the idea is for you to go comfortable — especially, because you will be twerking and perreando all night long.
Inspired by Bad Bunny’s latest album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos — an obviously summery set — you may want to wear shorts, linen pants, skirts, tank tops, tees, or summer dresses. And if you’re not rocking your Bad Bunny Adidas at the event, you might consider wearing sneakers or close-toe sandals as great options. Also, if you really want to show off your Puerto Rican pride, a straw pava hat (made out of the leaves of the Puerto Rican hat palm) can really bring the look together.
-
Bag Policy
As of this March, El Coliseo implemented a new bag policy allowing only clear purses up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or small clutch purses up to 4.5″ x 6.5″, for security purposes and streamline the event entry process. “By reducing bag sizes and allowing clear wallets, it facilitates the inspection of belongings and minimizes access delays,” reads a statement on the official website. There are no lockers on site, so make sure to follow the bag policy accordingly.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHyOQLbs-tI
-
What to Do in Puerto Rico
Image Credit: Courtesy of Phil Pulitano Now, if you’re making a vacation out of your Bad Bunny concert experience, consider budget-friendly ideas such as walking the streets of Viejo San Juan or visiting historical sites like the Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Why not make it a beach day? Both Isla Verde and Condado Beach are large, public-access beaches that are near the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. And, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, the 40-minute drive from San Juan to El Yunque National Rainforest is always worth the experience.
As for nightlife? Check out La Placita, a lively neighborhood and market square in San Juan with bars and restaurants; the newly-opened T-Mobile District, which offers live entertainment, dining and shopping; or Fifty Eight, the popular nightclub located at La Concha Resort in Condado Beach.
-
Where to Eat Locally
For breakfast, we highly recommend Cafeteria Mallorca, located in Old San Juan, where you will find very affordable and delicious baked goods and breakfast options, including their famous Mallorca (Puerto Rican sweet buns dusted with powered sugar, which can be prepared as an egg, ham and cheese sandwich).
Lunch (and/or dinner) calls out for a good chinchorreo moment (or in other words, bar hopping). Explore the local kiosks of Luquillo Beach or Piñones, where fried foods, vegetables and fruits are sold. For a sit-down, outdoor dining moment, check out the popular La Vergüenza restaurant, located across the street from San Juan’s La Perla neighborhood.
