Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico Residency Spurs 140% Airbnb Surge Across the Island

Photo: Courtesy of LLYC, Photographer Eric Rojas

When Puerto Rican global superstar Bad Bunny announced a historic concert residency on his home island, it was more than a music event. It was a cultural moment and an economic engine.

Since the announcement, Airbnb searches for Puerto Rico have spiked by over 140% for the concert dates compared to the same period in 2024. But the surge isn’t just in San Juan, where the residency will be held. It’s island-wide.

Tourism, Unbound

Searches for Airbnb stays have soared in places like Vega Baja, Guaynabo, San Sebastián, Cayey, Manatí, and Mayagüz. These are not traditional tourist hotspots, but they’re quickly becoming destinations for travelers seeking a more local and authentic Boricua experience.

Big events like this have a ripple effect. Not only do they inject energy into the capital, but they also disperse tourism beyond its usual borders. Guests aren’t just flying in for a concert; they’re road-tripping across the island, eating in local bakeries, shopping in mom-and-pop stores, and discovering Puerto Rico on Puerto Rican terms.

What are the three U.S. cities with the highest Airbnb search interest for Puerto Rico during the residency? New York, Orlando, and Chicago. Each has a large Puerto Rican population. This is more than a vacation — it’s a homecoming.

This return trend isn’t lost on platforms like Airbnb, which have made it easier for diaspora families to stay in local neighborhoods rather than crowded tourist strips.

Global Stage, Local Impact

Search interest is also climbing globally. Spain, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and even France and Chile have all seen an increase in Airbnb searches for Puerto Rico this summer. Latin culture isn’t just trending — it’s exporting.

Behind the numbers is a broader story: tourism that empowers local communities. In 2023, Airbnb guests generated $1.4 billion in economic activity on the island. That spending supported over 25,000 jobs and contributed more than $815 million in wages. Nearly half of all guests spent money directly in the neighborhoods where they stayed.

More than half of Airbnb hosts in Puerto Rico recommend local shops, 60% highlight lesser-known areas, and nearly 90% suggest neighborhood restaurants and cafes. For travelers, it’s a window into real life on the island. For hosts, it’s a way to earn.

50% of Puerto Rican hosts on Airbnb say they rely on the income to cope with the rising cost of living.

These are families opening their homes, turning spare rooms into revenue, and welcoming the world while building resilience.

A New Kind of Residency

Bad Bunny’s residency is just the beginning. It signals a shift: from centralized tourism to island-wide exploration; from celebrity worship to cultural rediscovery. For many Puerto Ricans abroad, it’s a reason to return. For many visitors, it’s a chance to experience Puerto Rico beyond the usual brochures.

In a summer defined by sound, the real resonance may be economic and personal. It’s a beat that echoes from San Juan to San Sebastián.

And Puerto Rico is ready, not just for the spotlight, but for sustainable growth driven by its communities.