More than 300,000 Sanse revelers used some form of public transportation
By The Star Staff
Preliminary numbers indicate that the San Sebastián Street Festival attracted over a million visitors and generated an economic impact of $91 million.
However, reports from some media outlets highlighted discrepancies in payments to performers during the four-day event. Prensa Precisa reported that plena and folklore performers were compensated very little for their participation.
For instance, Colombian artist Carlos Vives was paid $295,750 for his Colombian vallenato show, while Plena Libre and Plenéalo received only $6,500, despite plena being considered the soul of the annual festival in Old San Juan.
Looking ahead, preliminary estimates suggest that the Sanse 2025 festival could generate an economic impact of about $91 million, with a fiscal impact of $6.3 million. That would significantly surpass the $60.8 million economic impact and $4 million fiscal impact recorded in 2024.
The festival also welcomed more than 30,000 cruise ship visitors who contributed to the festivities.
“We are very pleased to demonstrate that the San Sebastián Street Festivals are on par with world-renowned events such as Mardi Gras in New Orleans,” San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo. “In just four days, we approached one million visitors, establishing San Juan as a world-class destination that celebrates the best of our culture and its people, while also boosting our local economy.”
Surveys conducted during the first three days of the event showed a positive perception among attendees. For example, 67% of merchants surveyed reported higher sales on Saturday compared to Friday, and 56% indicated their sales exceeded those of the previous year. Additionally, more than 100,000 people utilized the shuttle service provided by the municipality to access the event, according to those surveyed, with 30% of surveyed visitors stating that they stayed in Airbnb properties, showcasing the festival’s impact on the tourism sector.
Designated Transportation and Public Works (DTOP by its acronym in Spanish) Secretary Edwin González Montalvo revealed on Monday that more than 300,000 people overall used public transportation during the festival. He said the transportation plan implemented by the DTOP, the Integrated Transportation Authority (ATI) and other agencies allowed for the safe and efficient mobilization of thousands of visitors.
“We are extremely satisfied with the service offered to the thousands of visitors who participated in the San Sebastián Street Festival,” González Montalvo said in a written statement. “This has been a historic event, the most attended in the history of public transportation in Puerto Rico. Almost 310,000 people used some type of public transportation, breaking the record of previous years.”
On Sunday, officials halted bus services into San Juan due to the large number of revelers.
González Montalvo also announced that the ferry system between Cataño and San Juan transported 46,000 people, which set a new record and became the largest operation of that service.
“This success is the result of concerted work, made possible by the efforts of many Department employees,” the designated DTOP chief said. “We appreciate the work of each of them, from bus drivers, ushers, cleaning staff, to train and maritime transport personnel. Each of them contributed to citizens being able to enjoy the festivities in Old San Juan.”
Romero Lugo said meanwhile that the goal of the municipal government and its partners “is not only to ensure the safety and organization of the event but also to maximize its economic and social impact for the city and its residents.”
“These preliminary results prove that we are achieving that goal,” he said.
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