A Quick Guide to Ethical Traveling in Latin America

Lets get into how to ethical traveling. Travel is a privilege and when you travel to Latin America, how you show up matters just as much as where you go. I mentioned this in my other blog, but it isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being aware, respectful, and intentional.

Here are a few things I try to keep in mind when traveling anywhere but definitely when I go throughout LATAM (because y'all know I love culture there)

1. If You Don’t Speak the Language — Try First

If you can’t speak the language, baby, have your translator ready — and make an effort to speak, not mock, what you’re reading. I will even put the volume on low, and put it to my hear to hear it, then try to recite it back- it's a fun way to learn and people appreciate the attempt more than flawless pronunciation.

If the situation is time-sensitive, just show the screen. Respect matters more than pride and sometimes folks have things to do.

Calm down, diva.

2. You Are Not the Star

You are not the main character in someone else’s country. HELLO!

Asking questions, listening, and being curious about people and their culture shows self awareness. Aim for observation over assumption and you will learn and experience more than you'd ever expect.

3. Say “I’m From the States”

Y'all might fight me on this- it's subtle but important.

My personal preference and honestly the preference of many people in Latin America — is to say “I’m from the States,” “the U.S.,” or even just your city.

Saying “I’m American” slowly can come off as condescending, even if you don’t mean it that way.

Side note: Remember: people are often speaking English to accommodate you, because it’s the only language you know. So phrases like "broken english" is extremely disrespectful.

Quick, how much is tipping in the U.S.? Exactly. Pay the gringo tax.

4. If You Can Afford the Flight, You Can Pay The Gringo Tax

If you can afford the flight, the hotel, and the nightlife, baby you can afford to pay the gringo tax from the street vendors.

Don’t aggressively negotiate someone down when the difference is a few dollars to you but meaningful to them. Respect doesn’t stop at conversation it's also how you choose to spend your money.

5. Ask Before Filming

Believe it or not, I don't record everything, because everything doesn't need to be content.

Don’t film people without consent. Don’t treat the favelas, "ghettos" or people in poverty like they are backdrops to your vacation. Definitely ask before recording folks, it's also just safer for you that way.

Some moments are meant to be experienced, not extracted.

6. Listen More Than You Explain

To be honest, you don’t need to explain how things work “back home.” Listening builds connection and explaining will only build distance. Allow folks to tell you about their world before you jump to comparison.

7. Choose Curiosity Over Comfort (within reason of course)

I can't repeat this enough, ethical travel isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about choosing curiosity over comfort or at the very least remember, humility is more important than ego. I'm not saying get taken advantage of or accept dangerous, uncomfortable situations as the norm. Speak up if something isn't fair- your Airbnb should not have leaks in the ceilings, or roaches. But if the shower head is a little different, or the mattress isnt like the one you have at home- I promise you, you will survive. As I said in my previous blog, travel should expand our humanity, not just our access.

Final Thought

If you move with respect, awareness, and curiosity, you’ll get more than photos and memories, you’ll leave with understanding.

Share this with someone traveling to Latin America soon.