Puerto Rico Travel Searches are Soaring After Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance
124.9 million people around the world tuned in to watch the 2026 Super Bowl and witness Bad Bunny’s iconic halftime performance. The show was a huge celebration of Puerto Rican culture, and viewers were so excited by it that it’s even having an impact on Puerto Rico tourism.
In fact, worldwide searches for ‘Puerto Rico travel’ increased by 213% on Monday following Bad Bunny’s iconic show.
For Brits, the pound has also reached a 4-year high against the US dollar, which is the currency of Puerto Rico.
Laura Evans Fisk, head of digital & engagement at eurochange comments: “Now is an excellent time to visit Puerto Rico, especially as the pound is currently so strong against the US dollar.
“It feels like the country is having a real ‘moment’ since the Super Bowl, which is really exciting to see. I think we can expect tourism numbers to continue to soar this year as a result.
“Puerto Rico is a beautiful, vibrant place to visit, with a diverse mix of Caribbean beaches, tropical rainforests and history to explore. It’s a great value destination for Brits too, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around $15 (£10.95 at the current market rate), a beer costing $3 (around £2.19) and hotels starting from around $100 a night (around £80).”
For Brits keen to visit Puerto Rico this year, Laura shares her top travel tips with YCB:
- Getting there
Laura says, “You can fly all year round from the UK to San Juan, Aguadilla, Ponce and Culebra. The most regular and cheapest flights are from London to San Juan with a stop off, usually in Europe (Madrid) or New York JFK. Prices start from around £380, and the cheapest month to fly is March.”
- When to go
“There is no real best time of year to visit, though going during the ‘off season’ (July to December) is a good idea to avoid crowds and benefit from lower hotel rates.” Laura tells YCB.
“April to June is the dry season, so you’ll get plenty of sunny days and warm temperatures (around 21-28°C).
“If you’re a keen surfer, you’ll experience the best waves from October to April, particularly on the north and west coasts.
“It’s worth noting that the hurricane season tends to run from June to November, with August and September being the most active months. So, if you are keen to avoid this, then perhaps visiting in the dry season is best.”
- Where to visit
Laura says, “Puerto Rico is relatively small at only 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, so you can easily explore most of the island in 10 days to two weeks. The best way to get around is to hire a car or book an organised tour of the island.
“Old San Juan is the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico, and it’s well worth a visit. It is known for its 16th-century colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and the iconic Castillo San Felipe del Morro. A lot of the houses are painted in beautiful pastel colours, which gives it a vibrant feel too.
“El Yunque National Forest is a brilliant spot for hiking, with impressive waterfalls and incredible panoramic views.
“For more of a beach vibe, then Flamenco Beach in Culebra is a must. It’s often ranked amongst the best beaches in the world – with bright blue waters and white sands, it is pure paradise.”
- What to eat
Accoring to Laura, “Puerto Rican food is a diverse mix of Spanish, African and Taíno influences. You’ll see a lot of pork, plantain, rice and beans on menus.
“Some must-try dishes include mofongo (mashed plantains with garlic/pork), lechon (slow-roasted pork), tostones (fried green plantains), and frituras like alcapurrias.”
Where else can you get more for the US Dollar right now?
Laura adds: “As well as Puerto Rico, there are plenty of other destinations that use US dollars as their currency, where you’ll be able to get a great rate when exchanging from the pound.
“Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and the beautiful island of Turks and Caicos all use the US dollar as their currency. Even if you’re not travelling straight away, it’s a good idea to get your travel money now to make the most of the strong rates and get the most for your money.”