ART & CULTURE
From the established art scenes of its most sophisticated capitals to the textiles and handicrafts of the Andean highlands, Latin America is rich in artistic expression.
Brazil and Mexico are the powerhouses for contemporary design, hosting world class international art fairs and, in the case of Brazil, the epic Inhotim art park, owned by mining billionaire, Bernardo Paz.
The art scene in other parts of the continent focuses around a handful of notable galleries and some remarkable private collections. These remain very much word of mouth with limited public access. We organise specialised tours, fixing meetings with curators and visits to artists’ studios. If you fall in love with a piece, we will make the necessary arrangements for it to be sent home for you.
Mexico City, Bogota, Santiago, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Rio and Lima are the cities to watch.
Bogota’s Museo de Oro boasts a treasure trove; Lima’s Larco Museum houses a private collection celebrating 5,000 years of Andean civilisations; and Mexico City’s offers from Luis Barragon, Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera shouldn’t be missed.
Journey to traditional weaving communities in the Peruvian Andes; visit black-clay potters and wood-whittling artisans in Oaxaca and leather workers and silversmiths in the Argentine Pampas; explore textile and craft markets in the lake-side villages of Atitlan, or take a street-art tour in Valparaiso or Medellin.
Destinations
There is fantastic art & culture to be found in all corners of Latin America, but here go some of our favourites:
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Tapati Rapa Nui Festival | Easter Island
Dive into a celebration of Polynesian culture set against the backdrop of the iconic Moai statues of Easter Island. Tapati serves as a homage to Rapa Nui traditions and stands as one of Polynesia’s most significant festivals. During Tapati Rapa Nui, the spotlight shines on the clan competitions, each vying for their candidate to be crowned Festival Queen. A journey to Tapati Rapa Nui at this time is an intimate encounter with ancient legends and living traditions through music, games, and dance.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Paraty Literary Festival
The Portuguese colonial town of Paraty, nestled on Brazil’s Costa Verde, plays host to the renowned Paraty Literary Festival every July. Founded in 2003 by Bloomsbury Publishing’s Liz Calder, this five-day affair merges literature, art, and music. Hear talks from some of the most prolific names in modern literature and attend exclusive events and dinners, all while exploring historic cobblestone streets set to a backdrop of the Atlantic Rainforest.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Cocktails in the Head of Christ the Redeemer
Experience one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World from an approach like no other. Gain exclusive access to the head of the Cristo Redentor for breakfast or a cocktail. If you are feeling brave (and don’t mind heights!), look out over Christ’s shoulder for an indomitable view of Rio de Janeiro.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Artisan Routes in Guatemala
Dive into Guatemala’s artisanal culture by visiting local markets and workshops. Engage with local artisans, understand their techniques and stories, and get an insight into the connection between their crafts and Guatemala’s heritage.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Artisan Routes with the Colombia Collective
Colombia Collective collaborates with over 800 artisans across 14 communities. Craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the nation’s culture, forming the identity and economic backbone of many rural areas. In Usiacurí, it’s common to spot multiple generations performing intricate beadwork, while within the Wayuu tribe, weaving a mochila is a revered rite of passage for women. The collective’s mission transcends mere business. It’s about forging connections, preserving ancestral crafts, and blending Colombian traditions with the nuances of British design.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Arts & Culture Month
Delve into a month-long celebration of Ecuador’s artistic prowess. From open-air concerts and theatre performances to art exhibitions and workshops, experience Quito’s cultural scene in all its glory.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Contemporary Art & Haute Gastronomy in the Mountains of La Paz
Discover Bolivia’s artistic pulse and gastronomic revolution in La Paz. Celebrated for her global fusion food, Chef Marsia Tahi heads an exclusive culinary event in a secret location. Gather local ingredients and curate dishes that honour Bolivia’s culinary landscape. The ephemeral work of Gaston Ugalde, known as the ‘Andy Warhol of the Andes’, enhances the experience. Installations and performances see contemporary art merged with haute cuisine.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
EsteArte Art Fair
ESTE ARTE is an art fair rooted in the belief of art as knowledge, blending international taste with deep regional connections. The event celebrates renowned and emerging artists, spotlighting talent from diverse backgrounds and encouraging galleries to do the same. The mission is to connect galleries with new and existing collectors while fostering dialogue between artists, curators, and supporters.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Private Art Collections & Studios in Havana
Experience Havana’s vibrant art scene firsthand with gallery visits and private meetings with artists in their home studios. Havana pulses with creativity, and at its centre, art offers an intimate glimpse into the city’s cultural renaissance. A world of colour, texture, and storytelling awaits.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Explore the Sacred Maya Cave of Actun Tunichil Muknal
Actun Tunichil Muknal, often dubbed the “Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre,” is a portal into the Maya’s mystic past. Inside, calcified remains of human sacrifices and intricate ceremonial altars reveal rituals and appeasements to the Maya gods. Trek jungle trails and wade through rivers, all before descending into the subterranean chambers that plunge down almost four miles.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Discover Caracol
Nestled deep within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, this ancient city once rivaled the grandeur of Tikal in Guatemala. The site’s centrepiece, the “Sky Place” or Caana pyramid, dominates the landscape, offering panoramic jungle views from its peak. With its intricate ball courts, stone slabs detailing age-old victories, and plazas echoing rituals of the past, Caracol offers visitors a journey through the intricacies of Mayan politics, warfare, and cosmology.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Inti Raymi
Every June, Cusco comes alive with the vibrant “Inti Raymi” or “Sun Festival,” in honour of the Inca Sun God. Thousands of spectators flock to Cusco’s historic center. Over 800 participants, comprising actors, dancers, and musicians, don traditional attire and enact various scenes with dances and performances at key locations, from the Qorikancha temple to Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park and the city’s Main Square.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
HAY Festival
The Hay Festival in Arequipa is a celebration of literature, art, and thought. Renowned authors, thinkers, and artists converge to exchange ideas, sparking lively debates and enriching discussions. With a backdrop of colonial architecture and volcanic landscapes, the festival offers an unparalleled mix of culture and scenery. Attend events such as lectures and dinners, all while soaking in the relaxed spirit of this UNESCO World Heritage city.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Ibero-American Theatre Festival
Epicurean Meaning “Festival of Mother Earth” in English, Pachamama Day is a national holiday and thousand-year-old ritual honouring the Andean Mother Earth. Held in August, this celebration blends indigenous traditions with Catholic beliefs. Visitors are welcomed into gratitude ceremonies with local music, dance, and a communal feast, providing a glimpse into the region’s spiritual connection to nature.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Explore Antigua by Bike
Explore the cobblestone streets of Antigua on two wheels. This UNESCO World Heritage site, nestled amid volcanoes, offers an intimate glimpse into Guatemala’s colonial past. Pedal past historic buildings, bustling markets, and plazas where spanish architecture and local culture blend.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Follow the Footsteps of Kahlo and Rivera
Trace the legacies of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Wander the cobblestoned streets of Coyoacán, visit Kahlo’s Blue House, and take in Rivera’s murals that cover the city’s historic buildings. Instantly recognisable, and among Mexico’s most captivating and eccentric artists, their artistic trail is not to be missed (and hard to ignore).
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Cholita Wrestling
The Fighting Cholitas, Bolivia’s fierce female wrestlers, captivate crowds in El Alto with their weekly performances. Sharing the stage with male counterparts as part of a group called ‘Titans of the Ring’, hundreds gather at the Multifunctional Center of El Alto every Sunday to witness this spectacle of strength and cultural pride. Dressed in colourful polleras and wearing, the Cholitas challenge stereotypes in a celebration of indigenous community and Bolivian spirit.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Andean Archaeo-astronomy at Tiwanaku
Explore the intricacies of ancient Andean Cosmovision and Archaeo-astronomy. Tiwanaku, a ruined ancient city near Lake Titicaca, is among Bolivia’s most significant archaeological treasures. Remnants of a sophisticated society: monolithic structures, temples, pyramids, and on-site museums, offer insights into the development of one of South America’s foundational civilisations, all while revealing a fascinating understanding of the cosmos by ancient Andean cultures.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
El Gran Poder
Experience the spirited festival of Gran Poder in La Paz, a display of the nation’s cultural wealth. Taking place every June, this event honours the revered Señor del Gran Poder and transforms the city into a vibrant spectacle. Things kick off with a colourful procession that sees thousands in traditional dress parade through the city streets to traditional music. Bolivian cuisine is central to festivities with food stalls filling the streets.
FEATURED JOURNAL
Field Notes
LONDON OFFICE
+44 (0)20 7993 6930US OFFICE
+1 646 688 2317ENQUIRE NOW
Let’s Start Planning
"*" indicates required fields