tour through latin america christmas edition

7 of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Latin America

Recently updated on November 27th, 2023 at 03:22 pm

If spending Christmas in Latin America has always been on your bucketlist, there’s no time like the present to start planning your holiday with Trafalgar . Whether you’re looking for a festive, picturesque village, a relaxing beach holiday or a fun-filled adventure for the whole family, there’s no shortage of incredible places to celebrate Christmas in Latin America.

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina

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There’s something for everyone in Buenos Aires, making it the ideal place to spend Christmas with your family. Soak up local culture with a live tango show, feast on an authentic asado or explore the nearby sights, including the famous Iguassu Falls. With Trafalgar, you can experience all of these things and so much more. Just remember to stay up until midnight on December 24, the day that Argentinians traditionally celebrate, to watch the display of fireworks and toast the start of Christmas day.

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2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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For the best city break by the beach, look no further than Rio de Janeiro. Spend your Christmas learning about Rio’s rich culture or kicking back and relaxing at the beautiful Copacabana beach with Trafalgar. For Christmas dinner, opt for seafood and wash it down with a caipirinha , a popular Brazilian cocktail that we’ll teach you how to make.

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3. Cusco, Peru

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History buffs will love celebrating Christmas in Cusco. This charming city is located in the Peruvian Andes and features 16 th century Spanish buildings, which you can learn all about with Trafalgar. Like much of South America, Christmas is celebrated on December 24 in Peru by attending mass, followed by a meal with family and friends. If you want to experience some of the country’s traditions, be sure to have a hot chocolate and panettone on Christmas Eve before going outside at midnight to watch the sky light up with fireworks.

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4. Cartagena, Colombia

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If you prefer wearing a swimsuit over a snowsuit at Christmas, Cartagena is the place for you. Located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, you can expect hot and sunny weather during December. To celebrate like a local, be sure to check out the impressive display of Christmas lights around the city. For food, don’t miss the opportunity to try traditional dishes including natilla, a pudding-like custard dish and buñuelos , deep-fried dough balls.

5. El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina

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If you like to spend your Christmas in the great outdoors, look no further than beautiful El Calafate. This Patagonian town has no shortage of hiking trails, mountains, lakes, parks and glaciers that are ready to be explored, which you can do on our Wonders of Patagonia tour. After a long day of adventure, make sure you treat yourself to a delicious glass of Malbec.

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6. Bariloche, Argentina

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There’s something about a quaint, picturesque village that feels just right for the holidays, which is what makes Bariloche so appealing. Nestled in the Andes, it’s been coined the “Little Switzerland” of Argentina because of its ski resorts, Swiss-like architecture and abundance of chocolate shops. A visit to Bariloche at Christmastime is sure to be cosy, comforting and filled with lots of delicious chocolate. What more could you ask for?

7. Santiago, Chile

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If you’re a wine-lover, consider celebrating Christmas in Santiago. Wine is a key part of a Chilean Christmas dinner — a chardonnay pairs perfectly with asado for Noche Buena , after all. With Trafalgar, we’ll take you to Casablanca Valley, Chile’s wine region, where you can meet a winemaker and have an exclusive tasting.

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Where would you like to celebrate Christmas in Latin America? Tell us your dream destination in the comments.

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The best festivities for discovering Christmas in Latin America

In Latin America, Christmastime is especially important in countries like Colombia, where lights fill the streets with cheer. The holiday season is celebrated with impressive parades and colorful festivals that bring together all the joy and fun of the Latin soul.

Christmas celebrations are starting to take place throughout the world, filling streets and homes with decorations. Traditional celebrations include performances, concerts and Christmas markets.

In Latin America, Christmastime is especially important in countries like Colombia, where lights fill the streets with cheer. The holiday season is celebrated with impressive parades and colourful festivals that bring together all the joy and fun of the Latin soul. In the text that follows, we explore several Latin American countries to learn how they celebrate these special holidays.

The 2017 Christmas Season in Latin America

Christmas festivities in colombia.

In Colombia , the celebrations begin on December 7th, the day before the religious festival of the Immaculate Conception, when families come together to light candles on their doorstep to help guide the Virgin Mary so she may bless them.

Christmas lights are the centre of attention in cities such as Bogota and Cali.

This is also the case in the Colombian municipality of Medellin, which has one of the most spectacular Christmas light shows in the world according to National Geographic magazine. This city welcomes Christmas with an extensive calendar in which the lights are the main focus thanks to the renowned Festival of Lights when more than 30 million bulbs of different colours are used to portray traditional paisa scenes. The stunning decorations along Medellin’s streets are topped off with an enormous 82-foot tree and thousands of artisanal figures, including giant-sized versions of the Three Wise Men who guide the arrival of Baby Jesus.

The impressive coloured lights stretch out along the Medellin River from the Guayaquil Bridge to the EPM Smart Building, where they remain in place for a month and a half, starting in late November and through the middle of January, after the Epiphany.

Each year, the holiday calendar includes the Somos Luces (We Are Lights) contest, in which Medellin’s 70 neighbourhoods compete to win the award for the best lights. Other famous concepts are the Parade of Lights through the city’s main avenues and the Race of Lights, a marathon along the course of the Christmas lights.

To fully enjoy the lights during this season, there is a bus tour through the participating areas, although many locals prefer to rent a Chiva —a traditional colourful Colombian bus—and hold a rumba. The finishing touch of the lively festivities can be found at the interactive fountains on Guayaquil Bridge, where children and adults go for a dip surrounded by the colours of Medellin’s unique Christmas.

There are also stunning ancestral celebrations in the towns of the Cauca region. Shawms and troubadours make their way through the streets of these villages, singing carols accompanied by the music of flutes.

Christmas festivities in Brazil

In Brazil, Christmas activities combine the traditions of the nation’s past as a Portuguese colony and those of native America and the ethnic minorities that comprise the nation. The resulting events fill cities like Gramado, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with light. Here, more than two million people come together to witness Natal Luz, which literally means “Christmas of Lights”, an event that lasts 60 days and consists of decorating the streets and stores throughout the city. Holiday parades, plays, concerts and fireworks are part of the celebrations that take place this time of year.

A towering 280-foot Christmas tree, known as Árvore de Natal da Lagoa , is installed in the middle of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in Río de Janeiro. The tree, which creates amazing light and sound effects, is the epicentre of the festivities in Río.

In Curitiba, located in southern Brazil, residents adorn their homes with stunning ornaments in a competition to be the most spectacular.

Christmas festivities in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica , the holiday season begins on December 1st and lasts through February 2nd, although Christmas Day and the corresponding period are the main focus. On December 25th, fireworks and all types of lights brighten the streets. Christmas fairs with merry-go-rounds, roulettes and other games of chance are set up for kids and adults to have fun. Christmas Eve is celebrated with dinner and dancing until the wee hours.

Christmas lights also take over the capital of Costa Rica to illuminate the city streets and bathe them in the colour that defines Central American countries. Parades featuring colourful floats and masks, fireworks and music fill the Festival of Light in San José with joy, making it one of the year’s most anticipated events. The parade begins with fireworks that are set off from the rooftops of tall buildings in the metropolitan district. The event features a number of floats as well as approximately 15 municipal bands that have auditioned for the honour of playing Christmas carols.

The holiday season wraps up with the arrival of the Three Wise Men and placing their figurines in mangers. However, each family marks the end of Christmas by putting away the ornaments and nativity scene in their home.

Christmas festivities in Mexico

During the nine days before Christmas, the Posadas mark the start of the holiday season in Mexico and in other Central American countries. On these dates, the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph in search of a place to give birth is depicted. Small processions of children carrying a clay nativity visit homes as they request lodging in song. The interesting novena is combined with non-religious traditions as well as those with indirect links to religion. Every procession ends with children breaking open a piñata stuffed with gifts, eating sweets and drinking a traditional chocolate beverage.

The Posada and Piñata Fair in Acolman, located 20.5 miles from Mexico’s capital, is relatively famous since this town is believed to be the origin of the Posada. This may be the reason why it is home to gifted artisans who create the most beautiful piñatas in all of Mexico.

Following the nine days of the Posada festivities, colourful events take centre stage in places like Mexico City . Mariachis provide music for the street parties that take place. Downtown Mexico City hosts a large parade and Zócalo Square becomes a spot where expert and beginner skaters can enjoy an enormous rink under an impressive fir tree with ornaments.

In the Mexican city of Oaxaca, the Night of the Radishes is the most anticipated event of the Christmas season as well as the most unique in the country. It is held on December 23rd and up to 100 participants make carvings of radishes to create Christmas scenes that compete for prizes.

Of Mexico’s holiday season customs, traditional nativity plays are also very important. These theatre productions depict the Annunciation to the shepherds.

Mexico also has stunning light shows, just like other Latin American countries. 2014 was the first year that the Luminasia show was held on Monterrey’s Paseo de Santa Lucía, in which lights and colours are reflected in the river water to create a magical atmosphere.

Christmas festivities in Panama

Panama is another country that also celebrates the Posadas festivity on the days that precede December 24. However, the peak moment of Christmas in Panama is the Misa del Gallo midnight mass, followed by dinner with family and friends.

During the holiday season, nativities, wreaths, lights and Christmas trees decorate Panama City’s neighbourhoods that compete for the best ornamental creations. Christmas markets that sell lovely handicrafts are also commonplace.

The capital of Panama brings together American and Spanish traditions with the special touch of this Central American country, and the highlight is the great parade featuring floats loaded with balloons, accompanied by a number of schools and national bands. Since the early 90s, it has taken place one week before Christmas Eve and it has become so popular that many cities in Panama have created their own version.

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Christmas in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Meaningful Mosaic of Traditions

Nativity Scene made by Enedina Amezquita in Lynwood, California, Dec. 24, 2019. | Photo: EFE

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Music, color, joy, and cultural diversity are the most outstanding features of Christmas in this region.

Latin America and the Caribbean are rich in cultures. From one country to another, and even from one city to the next, traditions can vary significantly because each people incorporates its local history and preferences into them. In this diversity, however, some common themes generate shared identities.

The Nativity Scene (El Pesebre)

Since the arrival of the Spanish in 1492, Catholicism has been the predominant religion in Latin America. Therefore, it is not surprising that the most widespread Christmas tradition is the construction of the Nativity scene, a tradition that Francis of Assisi promoted in the 13th century when he mounted a representation of the birth of Jesus with living characters.

Once the Franciscan priests arrived in the Americas, they also promoted the construction of manger-based decorations as a way of claiming a celebration based on values such as poverty and simplicity.

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The Nativity scene consists of an exhibition of figurines representing the place where Jesus was born. It usually includes the newborn baby and his parents as well as shepherds, donkeys, cows, and sheep.

In the Latin American folk culture, however, Pesebres also include what families consider worthy of being exhibited in their small artworks.

This preference turns their Nativity scenes into montages of objects, which could include small planes, cars, trains or other objects that children might like.

Christmas Advent Prayer (La Novena)

The Nativity scene provides a place where other traditions are also performed. One of them is the Christmas advent prayer called “The Novena,” which is a ritual consisting of nine-successive days of night prayers that start from December 16th.

Catholic families gather to pray and sing songs related to the birth of Jesus. After each prayer session, participants ingest food or drinks specially prepared for the occasion.

We also celebrated Las Posadas today. More traditions from around the world. This festival in Mexico celebrates when there is finally room at the Inn pic.twitter.com/1Ob0ZG2bdW — St. Basil (@stbasilbulldogs) December 17, 2019

This tradition is very popular in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, countries in which even institutions usually allow people to perform brief advent prayer ceremonies throughout the morning.

In some places, it is also customary to "lulling the baby" at midnight on December 24th when the baby Jesus statue is carried in the arms of family members, who lull the newborn for a few minutes.

Lodging the baby (Las Posadas)

In Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and other Central American countries, families carry out “Las Posadas”, which is a performance representing how the parents of Jesus traveled from one place to another looking for a place to stay temporarily.

In these countries, people improvise a small procession in which two persons dressed up as Mary and Joseph transport a baby Jesus statue from one house to another, looking for a family to provide him accommodation for one day.

As they move through the streets, performers sing litanies asking for shelter given that the holy baby needs a place to be born.

According to local records, the Mexican piñata tradition began in the town of Acolman, just north of Mexico City, where piñatas were introduced for catechism purposes. The Mexican Catholic interpretation of the piñata rested on the struggle of man again… https://t.co/gRY9PNYN8G pic.twitter.com/wYJR7PCMQD — Land Savvy (@land_savvy) December 17, 2019

“In Heaven’s name, I beg you for lodging, for my beloved wife cannot walk anymore. Don’t be inhuman and have mercy on us,” the pilgrims sing outside the house expected to open its doors.

Once the statue enters into his temporary lodge, the host family and their guests kneel around the Nativity scene and pray the Rosary. This ritual is repeated for nine nights.

On the last day of the tour, families hold a special party for children in which they break star-shaped piñatas. On Dec. 24, however, Mexican families do not give gifts to children as the date to do so is January 6, the Three Wise Men’s Day.

The Carols (Los Villancicos)

Although they come from the Spanish "Villancicos", which means “small town” songs, Christmas songs have acquired very particular meanings in Latin America. In some cases, carols have become symbols of a nation.

Besides evoking the tradition of Christianity, carols provided opportunities for the fusion of European and Indigenous rhythms during colonial times.

As a result, the Christmas songs acquired the musical and lyrical nuances generated by local rhythms such as the chacareras (Argentina), the bambuco (Colombia), and San Juanito (Ecuador).

Hemos podido disfrutar en familia y con amigos las Pastorelas, Villancicos y bailes... ❤❤❤ Feliz Navidad... #malpaisillo #nicaragua #nica #nicaraguan #centralamerica #instatraveling #travelling #instagood #instadaily #traveling #holiday #tourism #vacation pic.twitter.com/v2CDiTlvg1 — Malpaisillo Viaja (@malpaisilloviaj) December 24, 2019

"We have been able to enjoy the Pastorelas, Carols, and dances with our family and friends. Merry Christmas."

Latin American peoples have also expressed their desires and feelings through iconic songs that reflected much more than religious motives.

One of the most famous of them is the "Christ of Palacaguina", a song whose verses witness the Nicaraguans’ struggle against the Somoza dictatorship (1936-1979).

Through this song, his author, Carlos Mejia Godoy, imagines how the holy baby’s birth would be like today and what the boy might do when he grew up.

The Caribbean is set for the Junkanoo

Starting on the night of December 25, an explosion of color, music, and joy invades the streets in many English-speaking Caribbean islands.

The time has come for the Junkanoo, a popular festival and street parade that mixes customs from Indigenous cultures and African-descendent peoples.

“Lush and massive troupes dressed in colorful and imaginative costumes take to the streets dancing to the sound of musicians and their hypnotic rhythms, amid a cacophony of cowbells, whistles, and drums,” Karin Mallet, from the Bahamas Tourist Office, said.

The festival was named after "John Canoe", an African chief who demanded the right of slaves to rest for three days at Christmas, which they did by performing vigorous dances without stopping for hours.

My people getting ready for Junkanoo...but taking a moment to convey to Trump you can kiss their Bahamian butts! https://t.co/xnhdzgBozR — Vernice Miller-Travis (@HarlemGirl59) December 19, 2019

In the Caribbean islands, the Christmas folk music is “The Parang”, which was first brought to Trinidad and Tobago by Venezuelan and Colombian migrants in colonial times.

“These migrants were primarily of Amerindian, Mestizo, Pardo, Cocoa Payol, and African heritage. This mix of ethnicities is strongly reflected in the music itself,” as reported by local media Caribbean Life.

Over time, the Parang, whose name comes from the Spanish word “parranda” (party), spread to Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and other Caribbean islands where “English is spoken but Christmas is celebrated in Spanish.”​​​​​​​

An aesthetic that blends to resist

Songs, decorations or costumes are also vehicles through which the Indigenous and African-descent peoples have resisted violence against them. In Latin America, Christmas does not only carries the traditional religious connotation.

Taking advantage of these holidays, for example, some Peruvian Quechua peoples thank their Mother Earth by offering food and drink to her.

In the Cauca Valley, the Colombian Indigenous peoples choose their authorities through rituals carried out in sacred, ecological places.​​​​​​​

Desde muy lejos de Chile deseo de conjugue el amor con la lucha y abracen a la Primera Línea y pasemos está Navidad en Alerta pic.twitter.com/nGhpqgWhco — Tomas (@Tomas30949995) December 22, 2019

"From far away from Chile, I wish that love and struggle come together, that ​​​​​​​they embrace the front line and that we spend this Christmas on alert. The meme reads, “Merry and combative Christmas! May dignity become customary. May peace and love reach your family and you.”

This is so because the holidays the conquerors brought with them coincide with the Summer Solstice, a particularly important moment for agricultural peoples who did not renounce their millenary beliefs.

The resilience of the Latin American peoples has an aesthetic dimension, which stubbornly complies with the Western canons and morals.

This can be seen every time a sheep is bigger than a Wise Man at the Nativity scene or when Christmas cards talk about what the Chilean violent rulers do not want to be known.

Latin America and the Caribbean are rebellious… even at Christmas.​​​​​​​

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13 Latin American Christmas Traditions You Should Know About

It’s that time of year again — you’ve surely noticed the deluge of christmas decorations, music, and frenzied shopping all around you.

christmas, x-mas, winter, happiness concept - smiling woman in santa helper hat with many gift boxes

By  Bill O’Connor

It’s that time of year again — you’ve surely noticed the deluge of Christmas decorations, music, and frenzied shopping all around you. Black Friday shopping , tree chopping, and pictures with Santa Claus are so ingrained in most of us that they’re almost second nature.

But not all of these same traditions exist in our home countries, each has its own unique and sometimes quite surprising customs — some of which we brought with us stateside. Here are Christmas traditions from all across Latin America that can help you feel a little bit closer to home.wp_*posts

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In Colombia, the Christmas celebrations get started earlier than in most places with El Día de las Velitas (the Day of the Little Candles) on December 7. The tradition dates back to 1854 when Pope Pius IX declared the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary to be the official dogma of the Catholic Church. While the religious significance is strong, there is no shortage of celebration around this time to kick off the Christmas season with so many lights dotting Colombia’s calles. wp_*posts

Beginning nine days before Christmas, on December 16, the Novena de Navidad consists of nine days of singing around the Nativity scene. There’s even a guide for the specific structure of song and prayer. It’s popular in Colombia as well to round out the velitas celebrations.wp_*posts

Traditional in Mexico as well, the Posadas in Guatemala are another festivity that begins nine days before Christmas. Commemorating Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to find shelter before the birth of Baby Jesus, adults and children alike re-enact the biblical scenes. The celebration has something for both the very religious and the partygoers—with prayers, Christmastime punch, and piñatas!wp_*posts

While you might know about the longstanding tradition of the Posadas in Mexico, there are some other surprising celebrations you might not know about. Dating back to 1897, every December 23 the Night of the Radishes is celebrated in Oaxaca. Merchants compete to create the most elaborate radish carving as tourists flock from all over Mexico to join in the celebration. Yes, that’s right—they actually make raddish sculptures! And did you know that the poinsettia actually traces its origins back to Mexico, where it’s known as the flor de Nochebuena ? It was only after Mexican Independence in 1821 where Joel Roberts Poinsett became the first US Ambassador to Mexico and brought the flower that has come to symbolize Christmas back stateside.wp_*posts

El Salvador

In El Salvador and other countries in Central America, you could easily confuse the elaborate firework displays on Christmas Eve with a Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve celebration. However, because of the high number of casualties caused by the fireworks, this practice has come under increased scrutiny by government officials in past years.wp_*posts

Nacimientos (Nativity scenes) are taken seriously in Peru—the Instituto Cultural Teatral y Social in Peru holds an annual Nacimiento competition , where Peruvians from all over the country congregate to show off their craftsmanship in recreating Jesus’ birth. Taking place yearly since 2005, the competition produces a variety of unique Nativity scenes incorporating elements from Peru’s diverse regions.wp_*posts

Quite distinct from the rest of Latin America, Uruguay is a secular country and Christmas is not an official holiday recognized by the government. It’s called the “ Day of the Family ” instead, though people celebrate with trees and feasts in gatherings resembling what we traditionally think of as a Christmas celebration.wp_*posts

This is one of the few countries that calls Christmas “ Pascua ” (usually Easter elsewhere in the Spanish-speaking world) instead of “Navidad.” Chile is famous for its pan de Pascua introduced by German and Italian immigrants—a spongecake like bread with ginger, honey, nuts, and candied fruits.wp_*posts

Brazil & Costa Rica

If you’re worried about your Christmas shopping budget, perhaps you should think of a move far down south to either Brazil or Costa Rica. Both countries require a Christmas bonus by law! Known as the thirteenth salary in Brazil, and the “ Aguinaldo” in Costa Rica (as well as in Mexico ), workers can expect to be compensated handsomely before Christmas as the holiday shopping season arrives.wp_*posts

Puerto Rico & Cuba

Very well known on la isla , Parrandas are a sign that Christmas has arrived in Puerto Rico. You might call this a more expressive and intense version of the Posadas in Mexico or Guatemala. Friends will gather and “ asaltar ” another friend with intense singing and passionately playing different musical instruments. Cuba’s version of the parrandas have a long history behind them — dating back to the 1800s in the town of Remedios . The festivities are at a much larger scale and celebrated across the island, though Remedios has the largest gathering.wp_*posts

You might see him adorning storefronts and as a decoration on the mantelpiece, but in Venezuela, it’s Baby Jesus rather than Santa Claus who delivers gifts to children. And while it’s definitely too hot for ice skating, during the patinatas you will see plenty of roller-skating and bike riding in the fresh air to kick off the season.

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The Sound of Christmas in Latin America, in 8 Songs

Moods, genres and whether the songs are actually about the holidays vary, depending on where you’re celebrating.

By Coral Murphy

Music is a crucial part of Christmas in Latin America, but the soundtrack varies widely depending on where you’re celebrating. Genres and moods differ in each country, and songs that have nothing to do with Christmas are also played mainly during the holiday season (for reasons that are sometimes hard to trace).

In Puerto Rico, José Feliciano remains a local favorite — his 1970 track “Feliz Navidad” has become a modern holiday classic — while Mexicans take part in a tradition called posadas , which involve traveling the streets singing songs and re-enacting Joseph and Mary’s search for a room in Bethlehem. Some cities sing to the rhythm of their country’s well-known styles, and some have developed different seasonal traditions. Here’s a playlist of eight songs that have become as critical to Christmas celebrations in Latin America as Nativity scenes and poinsettias.

El Gran Combo, ‘La Fiesta de Pilito’ (Puerto Rico)

With its lively trumpets, El Gran Combo’s “La Fiesta de Pilito” echoes the loud music, continuous parties and late-night caroling (known as parranda) that usually take place during the holiday season on the island. The group’s 1985 hit, composed by Luis “Pilito” Cruz and featured on its album “Nuestra Música,” encourages a break from stress in honor of the holidays: “Let’s forget about everything/And let’s have some fun.” Members of the band, which formed in 1962, come and go, but the salsa giants continue to perform all over the world.

Servidores de la Palabra, ‘En el Nombre del Cielo’ (Mexico)

In many Latin American countries, Christmas remains strongly tied to its religious roots. In Mexico, families often go door to door singing choral hymns accompanied by acoustic guitar while holding candles to set a peaceful, holy night. This villancico, or Christmas carol, that dates back to the late 1500s, has a touch of the folky Colombian style known as vallenato thanks to the accordion that helps signal to neighbors that a group of devotees are on the way.

Joe Arroyo, ‘En Barranquilla Me Quedo’ (Colombia)

Joe Arroyo , a Colombian singer and songwriter who died in 2011 at age 55, is the perfect example of a Christmas-music craftsman who made songs that had nothing to do with Christmas. This song from 1988 is a lively blast of salsa with lyrics that proclaim love for the coastal Colombian city Barranquilla and the amiability of its people. Arroyo is known for releasing his albums in December, making his songs frequent Christmas soundtracks. You’re likely to hear this upbeat tune during the traditional late-night dinner many Colombians have before opening gifts at the stroke of midnight.

Johnny Ventura, ‘Salsa pa’ Tu Lechón’ (Dominican Republic)

The merengue star Johnny Ventura used this song to make it clear how Dominicans handle their nearly four-month-long Christmas season. “Salsa pa’ Tu Lechón” trumpets the basics — manicongo and lerenes (both peanut-shaped tubers served with traditional Dominican dishes) and keeping up with your dancing partner’s fast-paced twists and turns. Ventura, a singer and bandleader who served as the mayor of Santo Domingo for four years, first released this song in 1972.

Simón Díaz and Hugo Blanco, ‘El Burrito de Belén’ (Venezuela)

For most children who grew up in Latin America, the ubiquitous “El Burrito de Belén” (or “El Burrito Sabanero”) will bring back strong memories. The original version, by the Venezuelan singer and composer Simón Díaz, came out in 1972, though covers by child performers like La Rondallita have become more acclaimed. The song’s catchy chorus narrates an expedition to visit Jesus in Bethlehem with kid-friendly lyrics (“Hurry up, donkey!/We’re off to see Jesus!”) The song has become a staple in almost every Latin American country during the Christmas season, as younger children learn the jovial “tuki-tuki-tuki-TA” chant for their neighborhood performances.

Los Van Van, ‘El Negro Está Cocinando’ (Cuba)

The Afro-Cuban rhythms of “El Negro Esta Cocinando,” or “The Black Man Is Cooking,” pay tribute to Cuba’s rich culinary culture. Los Van Van, a Cuban band formed in 1969, is known for its timba and songo beats, similar to those of salsa. This song is frequently played throughout the Christmas season even though there is no specific mention of the holiday in its lyrics.

Victor Jara, ‘Doña María Le Ruego’ (Chile)

Victor Jara’s music still resonates strongly with the people of Chile for its role during the political movements against Augusto Pinochet during the 1970s. (He was murdered in 1973 by men under Pinochet’s command at age 40.) This song translates to “Maria, I beg of you” and its lyrics express a person’s wishes to visit Jesus after his birth. The song, released in 1966, has become part of the more formal and traditional celebrations held in Chilean households that strive to keep Christmas strongly tied to religion.

Luis Aguile, ‘Ven a Mi Casa Esta Navidad’ (Argentina)

Luis Aguile’s 1969 “Ven a Mi Casa Esta Navidad” is a song about longing that’s steeped in melancholy. Aguile, an Argentine actor and singer who died in 2009, offers a seat at his table for those who can’t get home to their loved ones for Christmas. “You are far from your friends, your country and your home,” he sings, acknowledging the heartache of yearning for a mother or a son. Yet he offers words of comfort: “But I want you to know, tonight, he will be next to you.”

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Luxury Tours to Latin America

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10 best Luxury Latin America tour packages

Compiled by

Melissa Latin America travel expert at TourRadar

CLASSIC ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION AIR-CRUISE

6 days luxury in cusco & machu picchu, iguassu & beyond, colombia express, 8 days amazon luxury adventure for gay travelers, classic colombia, travel in style: peru coast to cusco – 9 days, luxury andes peru, bolivia, chile, argentina, atacama & andes - 20 days, luxury argentina, rio and iguazu falls.

• Ocean Cruise
• Christmas & New Year
• Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
• Sail among icebergs and meet polar wildlife
• Embark on an Antarctic expedition by Zodiac

• Sightseeing
• Tour the iconic Machu Picchu with a guide
• Ride a luxury train to Aguas Calientes
• Walk through Cusco and visit Sacsayhuaman

“They were professional, friendly, efficient and if they could think of a way to go 'above and beyone' they would do it with a smile.”

• In-depth Cultural
• Meet your group in Buenos Aires
• Explore UNESCO-listed Paraty's historic center
• Relax on Ilha Grande's stunning beaches

“An excellent trip. Great group of travelling companions.”

• Tour a coffee farm in the Calarcá area
• Meet your group and CEO in Bogotá
• Stay in a traditional hacienda in Armenia

“This was a fantastic trip. I was not aware that Colombia had so much to offer.”

• Learn from Kichua locals in the Amazon
• Observe wildlife at the Amazon clay licks
• Explore Quito's historic colonial center

• Explore the vibrant city of Medellín

“The tour brought me to places that I definitely wouldn't have thought of visiting if I had travelled by myself.”

• Explore Lima's historic Plaza de Armas
• Boat tour around the Ballestas Islands
• Visit Machu Picchu with a private guide

• Taste ceviche at Ross Nautica in Lima
• Visit the Uyuni Salt Flats and stay in a salt hotel
• Ride a Peruvian Paso horse at Mamacona

• Explore the world's driest desert and the lunarlike landscape of the Valley of the Moon
• Wander through a local winery in the heart of Argentina's famous Salta wine region
• Take a scenic train ride to explore the spectacular Inca citadel of Machu Picchu

“Highly recommended. Hotels were decent and individual (no bland chains here!) and the landscapes in NW Argentina, Chile and Bolivia are unsurpassed globally.”

• Experience the majestic Iguazu Falls up close
• Explore Buenos Aires with a guided city tour
• Relax and plan your own day in Buenos Aires

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