Finding Bad Bunny’s favorite places in Puerto Rico is extremely easy. Once you get on the island you’ll find that they are simply all around you, everywhere. To someone who loves Puerto Rico just as he does, even the decorations you’ll find in a taxi are a source of pride. His latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos is a deep dive into Puerto Rican details musically and lyrically. He’s taken a lot of the music that his parents and grandparents listened to and brought it into the 2020’s. In a sense that’s what Puerto Rico is all about. Cultural traditions that are still very present and relevant that have been adapted to modern times.
Bad Bunny mentions in a couple of interviews that his favorite places include Loíza Street and La Placita in Santurce, Old San Juan, La Perla and the beachside restaurants along the north coast from Dorado to Aguadilla. What almost all of these places have in common is that people get together outside, listening to music, sometimes really loud, and just have a good time. Puerto Rico is a really social island and it’s almost guaranteed that if more than two people get together there will be good food, cold beer and music.
If you want to find Bad Bunny’s favorite places to understand the man, maybe you should look for Bad Bunny’s favorite experiences in many different places so you can truly enjoy his love for Puerto Rico. Here’s some that will definitely put a smile on the Conejo’s face.
Monday night at La Terraza de Bonanza
This is an outdoor hangout place in Santurce famous for their Monday night rumba, salsa, bomba and plena live music. Starts around 7 or so. Order some beers, have some food and enjoy good music. It’s on the corner of San Jorge and Eduardo Conde streets.
La Placita
If you go to La Placita in Santurce try to make it in the afternoon when it’s still a farmer’s market frequented by locals. As the night approaches you’ll notice a transformation and the place becomes a vibrant block party with a lot of sidewalk bars and cafés. Lots of tourist put La Placita on their must visit list.
Explore the social scene on the North Coast
Bad Bunny was raised on this coast, so checking it out should be top on your list. All along this coast there are small beaches and roadside hangouts that he definitely frequented. If you want to find them, check the map app on your phone before you start and look for the routes that run along the coast west of the town of Dorado. PR 686 and PR 681 and PR 485 are great choices.
As soon as you see an interesting place on the shore, stop and hang out. Sample some fritters, have a cold drink and then move on. Another clue is to look for small streets that lead to the water. A couple of them have bars and restaurants at the end. For an example, search “Playa Peñón Brusi” to get a taste. If you’re into adventure look for “Puente la Bellaca”. This suspension bridge over a canyon is an unofficial attraction. You have to hike an climb a bit but it’s worth it.
Play pool or dominoes in a local bar
Dominoes and pool are the unofficial- official sports of Puerto Rico. Just about everybody knows how to play. Bad Bunny has even shown up at domino games at public plazas around the island. Up in the mountains all the local bars/neighborhood stores usually have a pool and a domino table for the locals.
For 50 cents or so you play a round of pool. When you see quarters on top of the table that means that someone is in line to play. If you put your quarters on the table you will be challenging the last game’s winner. If no one’s playing make sure you ask first as the locals might be taking a break. In Puerto Rico precision is praised and trying to hit a home run to see what goes in is frowned upon since you may damage the table. The rules are easy. Most people play last pocket or you have to sink the 8 ball in the pocket your last ball went into. You can’t hit an opponent’s ball first to sink yours. These are good routes to explore: PR 149, PR 152 and PR 1 after Caguas to start.
Relax
If you can’t make it Bad Bunny’s favorite places don’t worry, just make sure you explore Puerto Rico’s beaches and beyond the beaches so you can discover its beauty, people and traditions. Oh, and make sure you get to the concert early to enjoy the before party.
