Sunday afternoon is the new Friday night in the La Perla area of San Juan. Along the rocky Atlantic coast at bar Mundo Aparte 2, a woman in her 80s has taken centre stage, moving to every beat from the live four-piece salsa band, surrounded by people cheering her on and singing along to popular tunes with a chilled Medalla in hand.
Next to it is a dilapidated building covered in graffiti, to the front of which is a large sign saying 'I love La Perla.' This once-neglected shantytown was established in the 18th century by the working class forced to live on the other side of the wall. These days this part of town attracts curious tourists, thanks to the video for Luis Fonsi's mega-hit Despacito.
