Super Bowl LX was not just a light show; it was a political and cultural statement. When Bad Bunny performed “El Apagón,” plays of the song in the U.S. skyrocketed 1,320%. But beyond the beat, the song is a map of resistance and pride. For the U.S. Hispanic who saw the flags of the entire region waving on stage, to visit Puerto Rico today is to search for that identity that“Bad Bunny” claimed before the world.
If you want to get to know the island and the Blackout Route that inspired this anthem of identity, here is the route through the real Puerto Rico, far from the traditional tourist circuits.
1. Santurce: The Heart of the Street
I really loved our trip to Puerto Rico I hope to come back very soon la ruta panorámica drive was an amazing experience through the countryside,forest , shorelines etc what an experience! #puertorico pic.twitter.com/o0TNOcOmM1
– 1stplayerz (@1stPlayerz) February 8, 2026
“El Apagón” mentions the energy of San Juan’s neighborhoods. Santurce is the epicenter of urban culture and street art.
La Placita de Santurce: By day it is a food market; by night, it transforms into an outdoor party that reflects the essence of the song “Party”, which grew 1,130% in plays after the show.
Calle Cerra: Here you will find the murals that tell the story of the social struggle and Puerto Rican pride that Bad Bunny projected to the world.
2. San Juan and the critique of displacement
🇵🇷 Old San Juan in Puerto Rico has one of the best maintained urbanisms that most people ignore. pic.twitter.com/sIDWniDdQb
– Pato Bonato (@patobonato) January 25, 2026
The song directly criticizes gentrification and power cuts.
Walking through Old San Juan is a must for its historic beauty, but to understand the artist’s message, you must visit the areas where the community struggles to maintain its roots in the face of massive real estate development.
Bad Bunny used his platform to recall that “America is the whole continent,” a phrase that resonated especially with Latinos in the U.S. who have experienced similar processes of displacement.
3. Vega Baja: The Origin of the Legend
Sunshine, salsa, and sea breezes that instantly lift your mood.#PuertoRico #Travelgram pic.twitter.com/QaZiyT6ZHE
– ArburtonLtd (@arburtonltd) February 9, 2026
To understand “the message that few understood” in the Super Bowl, you have to go to Vega Baja, Benito’s hometown.
Playa Puerto Nuevo: One of the most beautiful beaches in the north, protected by a huge limestone rock formation. It is the place where the artist grew up and where you can breathe the “real life” of the island before global fame.
Tips for your “Post-Super Bowl” trip
Fly local: Support local lines and businesses that keep Puerto Rican culture alive.
Listen to the playlist: Take the tour with the tracks that dominate Spotify’s Top 6: “Yo Perreo Sola”, “El Apagón” and “Lo que le pasó a Hawaii”.
Filed under: El Apagón Route
