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Cultural considerations in Latin America

Adjust your watch to the Latin American pace of life and have a read of these tips for a hassle-free and fulfilling trip

You don't need to be an anthropologist to realise that there are going to be cultural differences between countries, but getting used to them can be quite tricky. The cultural practices of your home country become a second nature to you; after all, would Europeans think twice about kissing people on the cheek when greeting them or British people about standing politely in queues! When you travel through a lot of countries in a short space of time though, it can be quite disorientating to see so many different ways of life.

If you do your research you’ll know what to expect and you can avoid getting yourself into any diplomatic trouble! Learning the origins of cultural practices and the important role they play in a society also makes observing people a fascinating hobby. Latin Americans are a relaxed bunch most of the time and as long as you make an effort to fit in, no-one will watch you too closely. We’ve put together a list of the most important cultural practices to be aware of when travelling in Latin America.

Religion

Many parts of Latin America are deeply religious so modesty in behaviour and dress are highly recommended. There are plenty of beaches where you can strip off so there’s no need to do it elsewhere. Make sure you invest in some loose fitting clothes with thin fabric otherwise you’ll become very hot. Most of Latin America is Catholic, so Sundays are of real religious significance. On this day, double your efforts to show modesty (and don’t expect too many shops to be open)! Churches are very popular with tourists and people are happy if you show an interest, but remember that they are places of worship too.

Drugs

Drugs are less of a cultural consideration and more of a political one, especially if you are travelling in Central America. While we highly advise you avoid drugs wherever you travel, they will be more readily available here and more harshly dealt with. The 'war on drugs’ is focussed heavily on this area and police searches are very common, (though mostly of locals). Chewing coca leaves is a popular past-time in Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina, but make sure you don’t travel with them because outside of Latin America most countries make no distinction between the coca leaves any other substance containing cocaine.

Communication

During conversations locals tend to be very expressive with their hands and their faces and demonstrate the famous Latin spirit in getting their point across. Don’t feel the need to reciprocate if it doesn’t come naturally, just look at their face and try to ignore the expressive movements of the arms or you’ll soon forget what you’re being told!

Don’t get snap-happy

Tourists who encounter the traditional culture here tend not to waste too much time in pulling out their cameras and merrily snapping away. Usually this doesn’t cause many problems but if you are photographing people in traditional dress, children or government buildings, it’s advisable to ask first. Imagine how you’d feel if someone thought your jeans and T-shirt were strange and starting taking pictures of them!

Re-set your watch!

Although it differs in each country Latin Americans tend to have a more relaxed attitude to timekeeping than in the West. Perhaps it’s the laid-back attitude to life or the extra few hours of daylight you get, but punctuality is not a big concern here! If you have arranged a meeting with someone try and clarify if they mean a time exactly or approximately, as it may prevent you from standing around waiting for everyone to arrive!