25 of the Most Colourful Buildings in Latin America

Salento, Colombia
Salento, Colombia | © Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock

Northern England Writer

Latin America, which stretches right from the tip of Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia to the very border of Mexico and the US, is easily up there as one of the most colourful regions in the world. It has everything from vibrant street art that brightens up city centres throughout North, Central and South America to colourful neighbourhoods and flamboyantly painted houses. With that in mind, here are the 25 most colourful buildings Latin America has to offer.

Loved by over 40s

MEXICO

Mexico is one of Latin America’s largest countries and arguably one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. It also has some of the most colourful towns in the world, from the yellow pueblo mágico of Izamal in the Yucatán, to the multicoloured hodge-podge of houses in Guanajuato and the deep, saturated oranges of coastal Veracruz, all of which make Mexico a colour-lover’s dream destination.

Vibrant Campeche, Mexico
Purples in Mérida, Mexico
Multicoloured houses in Guanajuato, Mexico
House in Xalapa, Veracruz
Bright yellow buildings in Izamal, Mexico

CENTRAL AMERICA

Moving down to Central America, which covers the Mayan heartland of Guatemala, the diver’s paradise of Belize, plus Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and Costa Rica, and you’re still in for a treat if colourful buildings are what you want. In Nicaragua, Granada’s central church is stunning, while the rich culture of Guatemala is matched only by the vibrant hues that dominate the city of Antigua.

The yellow church in Granada, Nicaragua
All the shades of yellow in Guatemala
Bright red Guatemala, blending in with the transport

CUBA AND THE CARIBBEAN

If you prefer a Caribbean vacation, then rest assured that there’s is plenty of colour on offer in Puerto Rico and Cuba too. Everyone knows that Old Havana is literally littered with rundown-yet-impressively-colourful buildings, but many forget about the quaint coastal town of Trinidad. Plus, Puerto Rico’s San Juan is a pastel paradise for Instagram fans and those who love a picture perfect backdrop.

Trinidad, Cuba
Havana, Cuba
San Juan, Puerto Rico

SOUTH AMERICA

Finally, it seems a disservice to lump South America under just one heading, especially as it boasts some of Latin America’s most vividly-painted neighbourhoods, towns and cities – think Buenos Aires La Boca, Valparaíso in Chile, Cartagena in Colombia and Paraty in Brazil to name but a few. Here we’ve included all those destinations and more in this guide to the most colourful Latin American buildings.

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Valparaíso, Chile
Paraty, Brazil
Lima, Peru
Gautape, Colombia
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Cartagena, Colombia
Salento, Colombia
Asunción, Paraguay
Argentina’s many colours
Pinks in Paraguay
Salvador, Brazil in pastel hues
Green-hued Paraty, Brazil
Blue in Brumado, Brazil
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Keen to explore the world?

Our passionately curated premium small-group trips are an invitation to connect with like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.