I was at the very first show of “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” last Friday (July 11), and — spoiler — el Conejo Malo turned the island’s largest arena, El Coliseo de Puerto Rico or El Choli, into a street festival. As a local, I didn’t have to travel to the island, but I would have if I were living abroad — artists in el movimiento are known to cater to the Boricua audience and put on special shows just for the island. And that usually comes at a hefty sum. So, is it worth it? Let’s get into everything I learned so you can get the most out of your trip. Keep reading for practical tips, my honest thoughts, and all the insider extras you won’t see online.
First things first — arrive early. El Choli opens at 6:30 p.m., showtime is 9:00 p.m. sharp, and you’ll want those extra hours to explore the festival grounds, so I’d recommend getting there at 5 p.m. Because even without a ticket, the area outside El Choli is what people are calling “San Benito Fest,” a free-for-all block party that kicks off around 5 p.m. Picture domino tables, live music, and enough people-watching to inspire your next shopping trip around the island.
There are two areas: the one set up at the parking lot, featuring drinks and food and the one to the right side of El Choli, where brands have recreated Old San Juan and giving everything from Borden’s queso de papa (or “papa cheese” as Bad Bunny’s short-doc says) to piña coladas and chocolate caliente. Brand activations worth visiting include L’Oréal’s quick-glam station for makeup retouches, Visa’s airbrush tattoos, and Wendy’s free Frosty cup.
If your primary goal is merch, the official residency items are located inside El Choli, but don’t panic, Bad Bunny’s official collab with local streetwear label FRSH is only available outside the venue. Another reason to arrive early is the ticket drops. Users online have reported that day-of seats pop up at the arena box office and on Ticketera.com.
Once inside the venue, there are also activations, photo opps, and, as mentioned, merch up for purchase. Snag a picture in front of the casita before it’s too crowded. If you’re in “nivel principal,” hit merch first. Two opportunities: The official Bad Bunny × Adidas shop with only 50 pairs of limited-edition sneakers per night and 50 lockers available to secure them. At the official residency merch called “El Nuevo Colmadito,” Fujifilm cameras are $25, T-shirts and caps are $50, long sleeves are $60, and hoodies are $100.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about why you’re really here: EL PARTYSON, the actual “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” show. The residency unfolds in three cinematic acts, opening with the Jíbaro Campesino Era. There are actual hens on the stage, resembling the island’s mountainous region, and cuatro guitars underscoring heartbreak anthems like “Si Estuviésemos Juntos” and “Amorfoda.” You’ll see the dancers with their jíbaro attires dancing bomba for “El Apagón,” which reminded me of our Noche Puertorriqueña in school. This was an ode to the Puerto Rico of the past.
Then the party de marquesina starts. Suddenly, you feel like you’re in Bayamón when Bad Bunny moves to La Casita. This is where el perreo intenso happens, featuring “Safaera” and “EoO.”
There’s also a salsa spectacle, with Bad Bunny paying homage to the salsa greats with a two-minute video intro before introducing LoS SOBRiNOS. This felt like a history lesson for an audience that may not have grown up cocolo. Musically, this was a highlight for me, as I’d never seen Benito as a salsero. This is coming from someone whose first Bad Bunny show was in The Bronx’s Salsa con Fuego.
The show starts with a history lesson, and I’m glad it does. The facts projected on the screen as people settle into their seats are a deliberate moment of education. A reminder of who we are, where we come from, and why this residency means more than just a concert. It’s a crash course on Puerto Rican pride for anyone who didn’t grow up here and a powerful affirmation for those of us who did. And the crowd? That energy never dips below a category five. What can I say? We’re Boricuas. We show up, we sing every lyric, we scream until our voices crack. Whether it’s someone’s first concert or their fifth night at the residency, the energy is unmatched.
What keeps it exciting is that no two nights are the same. Bad Bunny changes it up, inviting special guests like Pedro Capó to sing “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” or shifting the setlist with a Rainao cameo. He’s not giving a copy-paste tour. He’s curating a living, breathing show that evolves with each night. That’s a smart move for a multi-night residency as it keeps fans guessing. And with more dates still ahead, it makes you wonder what’s next. And now for the long awaited set-list, he sang most of DTmF’s album, sprinkled in some of the classic hits and started the show with an unreleased song, including “Titi Me Preguntó” and “Neverita,” I wished he would’ve sang “Nadie Sabe” or “Acho PR,” a perfect fit for the night’s Boricua theme.
The show was a once-in-a-lifetime concert, no doubt. Still, coming from someone who lives and breathes this culture, I couldn’t help but imagine how a few minor tweaks could’ve made it hit even harder. For example, more artist-to-crowd banter. At Rauw Alejandro’s recent Cosa Nuestra shows, he had dancers and models alike mingling with fans. That extra intimacy would elevate the residency as you’d provoke attendees to start salsa moves. The show could’ve also benefited from a standing-room floor arena for a true perreo, salsa party. Surprise guest appearances are fun, but LeBron James felt a bit random. Bringing up community icons, think Tito Trinidad, Jacobo Morales, Carlos Arroyo, or Rita Moreno, could underline the “for Boricuas, by Boricuas” ethos.
Is It Worth It?
So, when it really comes down to it, is Bad Bunny’s “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” historic residency in Puerto Rico worth it? Absolutely, if you treat it as what it is: concert tourism. You’re buying a ticket into Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico — a place where the party begins even before the show and lasts long after the concert ends.
In short, this residency is more than a concert; it’s a block party and a street festival, less a tour stop and more like a living postcard of the island’s culture. Come early, dance the night away, and enjoy P FKN R beyond San Juan. If that sounds like your kind of getaway, the residency is worth every penny.
