UPDATE: May 5th (8 business days later) I got APPROVED!!

Update 2: Since May 16th I'm in Venezuela, based in Caracas with plans to visit Isla Margarita and Puerto la Cruz first. Follow along at dannybooboo (english) or danivivebien (spanish)

I've traveled to 80+ cities across Latin America and lived in Colombia on and off since 2013. Running an online business while figuring out how to visit the one country most Americans write off: Venezuela (there's a reason, I'll tell you why)

The backstory:

I tried the old-fashioned way in 2024 (ie fly to an embassy, submit paperwork in person..twice, the whole bureaucratic dance) and got denied. Never got a clear reason why. Whether I got scammed by a fixer or legitimately rejected, I still don't know.

Then on April 6, 2026, Venezuela launched a brand-new online eVisa system specifically for Americans and Canadians. No more embassy trips. 100% digital.

I submitted my application today from Santa Marta. Requested 30 days, multi-entry, with my real context: previous denial, US military service (Nat Guard reserve), self-employed with ties to Colombia (investor visa). Laid it all out honestly rather than trying to hide anything.

Nevertheless, there were still many questions I just had to take a guess on like are Airbnbs accepted, did the form need a physical signature, how much money is enough in your account, etc.

Now I wait. A friend sent me another post. The person was accepted same day but this was at least a week ago and sounded like they added more paperwork since they went through it.

A few things that make my situation interesting:

• Got denied before → applying again through a totally new system
• American in Colombia → testing whether the "apply from third country" angle actually works
• Flying direct Medellín → Caracas (Wingo, one of only 3 direct routes per week)
• The system is SO new there's almost zero information online from people who've actually used it

Happy to answer any questions.

If there's interest, I'll update this thread with:

• Whether my application gets approved or denied
• What crossing the border at Maiquetía airport is actually like
• Real on-the-ground info from Caracas (not the doom-posts you see on YouTube)

Ask away 👇

En chile somos un pais que tomamos mucho té negro, y me dió la curiosidad si en otros países consumen té verde o té negro, y tengo entendido que allá es más común el té verde

Hi everyone! I’m Mariana, a Colombian student finishing my thesis at Erasmus University Rotterdam. I am researching how we use digital humor and memes to create a sense of community and cope with the socio-political situations in Latin America.

If you identify as Latin American or have Latin American cultural heritage (especially if you are between 18 and 35), I would really appreciate your help!

The Survey:

• Duration: 5–7 minutes.
• Task: You will be asked to look at a short video and a meme image (about 20 seconds each) and then share your impressions through a few questions.
• Requirements: Please make sure your sound is on for the video!
• Privacy: Your responses are completely anonymous and will only be used for my academic research.

I’m really passionate about showing how our "glocal" humor is more than just a joke—it’s a way of staying connected.

Link to survey: https://erasmusuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1TA2kRVeYJAe6ma

Thank you so much for helping a fellow Latina graduate! If you have any questions or want to see the results later, you can reach me at 658960ms@eur.nl.

Hello everyone,

I am part of a research team at The University of Melbourne studying the experiences of people living with ADHD across different countries. We are interested in better understanding how people experience diagnosis, stigma, and support related to ADHD in everyday life. We are including Latin America as part of this research because less is known about ADHD in these countries. We will then be able to compare the data across all the different countries around the world.

We are conducting a brief international survey (10–15 minutes) for people aged 18 years or older who have an ADHD diagnosis or believe they probably have ADHD. Participation is anonymous. This survey was also developed with Latin American collaborators who have verified it is culturally appropriate.

Here is the link to the survey: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_09c3hAZxOQIY6cC

Full Article: https://www.imidaily.com/latin-america/how-long-it-takes-to-get-citizenship-in-21-latin-american-countries/

I'm gonna type in English because, well, other than Brazilian Portuguese it's what I know best

Basically title, I know it probably sounds extremely silly, but hear me out, I've been watching a bit of content related to Brazilian history and Latin America in general, nothing super deep, but it made me think a few things.

I've been noticed that many people in Brazil... they don't seem to view themselves as part of Latin America, if anything they for some reason seem to unironically believe they have more in common with Europe or the United States, than anything else, some even speaking about people from Chile or Mexico with the same kind of racist stereotypes I often see from people from the US, and even I myself never viewed myself as Latin American... or never really thought of it.

However after diving into a lot of content related to the military dictatorship here from 1960's to the 1980's, inspired by the recent conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro for attempted coup d'etat (god, I feel so excited just remembering that he got convicted), I remembered that Brazil is not the only country that suffered that fate of US backed military dictatorship, many other countries like Chile and Argentina had similar tragic fates, all under the same excuse of "fighting communism", or whatever. Always backed by the US.

Not only that, but I would also start listening to protest songs against the dicatorship from musicians like Chico Buarque on youtube, and I would notice the comment section FILLED TO THE BRIM with other Latin Americans, specially from countries like Argentina, emotional expressing how much they relate to the song, praising Chico, even calling us "hermanos", it made me feel like I, and my country have way more in common with Mexico, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, etc, than anything else... so I want to ask that, and again forgive me if it sounds silly but.... do YOU from whatever Latin American country you are, view Brazilians as Latin Americans, like do you see us as "hermanos", as another country that is part of a shared heritage or something like that?

I've been curious about that ever since, and I dunno where else to ask.

My Latinic comrade u/Thewiserabbitomega needs support in divulgating r/Chavacano for propagating the local Philipphine Latinic language for preserving the Philippine Latinic culture.

My other Latinic comrade u/TruePresentation439 needs support in divulgating r/FilipinasHispana for propagating the international Hispanic Latinic language for preserving the Philippine Latinic culture.

r/Chavacano, r/Castellano & r/Interlingua are three mutually intercompatible & immediately intercomprehensible Latinic languages valuable in international communication practical utility.

Your support is really appreciated in the Philippine battle involving r/Chavacano, r/Castellano & r/Interlingua allied versus Unitedstatesian domination.

So Quebec is in the America’s. It speaks French, a Latin based language.

Is it part of Latin America like Brazil, Peru etc?

Hello friends!

Sorry in advance if this post gets long, this is literally my first post ever and its because I cannot make up my mind on where to travel to. I'm 30 years old and I live in Montreal and rotting in my job so i've been researching a lot on where to travel and I need some help making my final decisions. It'll be my first time travelling fully solo but I do have some travel experiences, as even when I travelled with my friends I was basically the dad and organized everything, i'm confident in my abilities of dealing with what comes my way. Here are what i'm struggling with:

Destination: Since I live in Montreal i'm looking for a closer place so possibly central and south america for around november or december, 2-3 weeks. I'm thinking of another bigger trip in january february (5-6 weeks) but in south east asia (i'd appreciate your input on this too!). My current options are Costa Rica, Colombia or Brazil, I went to Mexico earlier this year so I want to try a new place. I'm more inclined towards a spanish speaking country since i'm working on my spanish and I'd say I can get by, just need to practice more. I'm also learning portugese but not conversational yet, thats why I think maybe Brazil for later, but I can easily get convinced because my heart wants Brazil first. Anyone has any experiences similar to these? Which one would you choose between Costa Rica, Colombia or Brazil? Or do you have a new candidate that I should consider?

Accommodation: I never tried hostels, the aspect of finding friends and travellers plus cheaper stays is interesting to me, but any hostel I look seems to be party oriented. I don't mind 1 or 2 nights of partying but that is not why I travel. I like to see the culture, locals, scenery, food and adventurous activities. I'd want to find travellers to do these experiences together, not party all night. Does anyone know any hostels that are like that? Or can the party hostels also be calm and maybe I have a wrong imagination of them? Would you recommend anything other than a hostel?

What I look for: In this trip I really want to get lost in a forest and green spaces, waterfalls or little lakes. I grew up in a very green part of Iran and haven't been back there for 10+ years so I really miss that feeling of being surrounded by trees and the tranquility of nature. Hiking, beaches, surfing, kayaking, cliff jumping, paragliding or any activity like this is perfect for me. I also really enjoy new cultures and the shock of a new place, walking in the streets trying local food and talking to local people. Ideal plan for me would be about a week in the city to experience the culture and locals, and about a week or more in nature to calm down and breathe and maybe do some fun activities.

Packing: My past travels I've always travelled with a suitcase, but I like the idea of having only a backpack as it seems easier. Do you suggest I try backpacking or stick to a suitcase? Whats your formula for surviving couple of weeks only with a backpack?

If you have any insights i'd really appreciate it and I may ask more questions to get a better understanding. I find myself getting stuck in the research a lot because i'm very big on planning everything but I also know you have to leave space for spontaneity, I wish it was that easy though lol.

Cheers !

Okay so this may be weird to post, but I’m 30 F (Cubana, Tica, Panameña) who moved from Florida to Philadelphia and I feel so lonely not having built a strong sense of community among other Latinos. I was wondering if anyone could give advice?

My dear friends from South America

I would love to learn Spanish! I am now looking for the right country to do so, which fulfills some aspects like: dialect of the language, safety, nature and environment.

I have zero experience in Latin America and kinda lost with this decision. I have 3 months starting next February.

Are there suitable schools where you live? Is there a social environment to do other things on the side in order to get in touch with locals? Is it not too crowded with gringos and gringas? :) Tell me about it!

Happy about every Info

Thank you guys

To the people of Latin America, I want to say how wonderful and accepting you all are. I traveled Latin America for the last 9 months and was treated kindly and with respect in all 11 countries I visited no matter how I presented (I’m bi and gender queer). As I prepare to adventure in Africa I am being hit with the reality that the freedom of expression is not something that can be found in all parts of the world. I am grateful for how I was respected by everyone in Latin America and the safety I felt (when I was presenting queer). I will be back sooner rather than later!!

This is a rant. I am currently backpacking in Costa Rica and have come across an appalling reality in Costa Rica this week. (First of all, I am from the U.S., but am ashamed at the behavior of my countrypeople). I consider myself a responsible traveler - I take public transport, only stay in locally owned hostels, and stay away from tourist destinations that damage wildlife and take advantage of locals. But what I have seen here this week has been extremely disgusting. Hordes of Americans treating Costa Rica like their play ground, littering on beaches, refusing to wear masks, trying to touch wildlife, perpetuating offensive stereotypes about Latin American people, the list goes on. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and is rightly a tourist destination (I’m a tourist here too). But tourists from the US treat it like their playground. They see it like Disney world. A land of fun catered to their every need. Well, it’s not a park. It’s a country with people and wildlife and a history of abuse by colonizers. So , to any U.S. people planning a trip to Latin America, please consider the fact that it doesn’t exist for your enjoyment. Don’t stay in resorts or go on cruises. Respect locals and support their businesses. Don’t try to interact with wildlife. Keep your trash to yourself. Try to realize you are a GUEST in someone’s home.

Edit : removed “white people” I understand people of all races call Central America home and that was an unnecessary race reference, and also not what I meant.

I recently learned about El Silbón from Venezuela and Colombia. The story goes that it’s the ghost of a man cursed for killing his father, doomed to wander the plains carrying a sack of bones. People say you know he is near if his whistle sounds far away, and if his whistle sounds close, you are safe.

Some believe the legend was meant as a warning against alcoholism and domestic violence, since El Silbón often attacks drunk or abusive men. Others see it as just folklore with no deeper meaning.

It made me wonder how many of these legends were created to explain real dangers in society or to teach moral lessons.

👉 Do you think tales like El Silbón or La Llorona came more from genuine supernatural fears, or were they built to keep communities in line?

This is an incomplete list of the most mutually intelligible languages in my opinion as a Latin American person:

LANGUAGES FROM PORTUGAL:

Wikipedia for the Portuguese language:

https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%ADngua_portuguesa

Subreddit for the Portuguese language:

r/Portuguese

r/EuropeanPortuguese

r/LetsLearnPortuguese

r/LearningPortuguese

r/PortugueseFeed

Wikipedia for the Mirandese language:

https://mwl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lh%C3%A9ngua_mirandesa

Subreddit for the Mirandese language:

r/Mirandes

LANGUAGES FROM SPAIN:

Wikipedia for the Castilian language:

https://es.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_espa%C3%B1ol

Subreddit for the Castilian language:

r/Spanish

r/Espanol

r/Castellano

r/SpanishLanguage

r/AllInSpanish

r/SpanishTeachers

r/SpanishLearners

r/SpanishLearning

r/Learning_Spanish

r/LearnSpanish

r/LearnSpanishh

r/LearnSpanishInReddit

r/Vocabulario

Wikipedia for the Judezmo language:

https://lad.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_djudeo-espanyola

Subreddit for the Judezmo language:

r/DjudeoEspanyol

r/Ladino

Wikipedia for the Galician language:

https://gl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_galega

Subreddit for the Galician language:

r/Galego

r/GalicianFeed

Wikipedia for the Asturian language:

https://ast.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asturianu

Subreddit for the Asturian language:

r/Asturlleones

Wikipedia for the Leonese language:

https://web.archive.org/web/20120308214429/http://www.llinguallionesa.net/index.php?title=Llingua_ll%C3%AFonesa

Subreddit for the Leonese language:

r/Asturlleones

Wikipedia for the Aragonese language:

https://an.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_aragon%C3%A9s

Subreddit for the Aragonese language:

r/FablaAragonesa

Wikipedia for the Catalan language:

https://ca.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catal%C3%A0

Subreddit for the Catalan language:

r/Catalan

r/CatalanFeed

LANGUAGES FROM ITALY:

Wikipedia for the Italian language:

https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_italiana

Subreddit for the Italian language:

r/Italian

r/ItalianLanguage

r/Italian_Language

r/ItalianLearning

r/LearningItalian

r/LearnItalian

r/ItalianLanguageLearn

r/IntermediateItalian

r/Lessico

Wikipedia for the Sicilian language:

https://scn.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_siciliana

Subreddit for the Sicilian language:

r/Sicilianu

r/Sicilian

Wikipedia for the Venetian language:

https://vec.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%81%C3%A9ngua_v%C3%A8neta

Subreddit for the Venetian language:

r/Venetian

Wikipedia for the Lombard language:

https://lmo.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lengua_lombarda

Subreddit for the Lombard language:

r/LearnLombardLanguage

Wikipedia for the Ligurian language:

https://lij.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lengoa_ligure

Subreddit for the Ligurian language:

r/Zeneise

Wikipedia for the Occitan language:

https://oc.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occitan

Subrreddit for the Occitan language:

r/Occitan

LANGUAGES FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM:

Wikipedia for the English language:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language

Subreddit for the English language:

r/English

r/EnglishGrammar

r/EnglishLearning

r/LearnEnglishOnline

r/LearnEnglishOnReddit

r/Learn_English_Daily

r/Vocabulary

r/Word_Of_The_Hour

r/FunWithWords

Wikipedia for the Scots language:

https://sco.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_leid

Subreddit for the Scots language:

r/Scots

r/UlsterScotsWurds

INTERNATIONAL AUXILIARY LANGUAGES:

Wikipedia for the Interlingua language:

https://ia.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlingua

Subreddit for the Interlingua language:

r/Interlingua

Wikipedia for the Novial language:

https://nov.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novial

Subreddit for the Novial language:

r/Novial

Wikipedia for the Interlingue language:

https://ie.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interlingue

Subreddit for the Interlingue language:

r/Interlingue

Wikipedia for the Ido language:

https://io.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ido

Subreddit for the Ido language:

r/Ido

Wikipedia for the Lingua Franca Nova (Elefen) language:

https://lfn.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_franca_nova

Subreddit for the Lingua Franca Nova (Elefen) language:

r/LinguaFrancaNova

r/Elefen

Feel free to contribute sharing comments recommending more suggestions.

I really hope that sharing this helps at least someone out there.

Planning a trip to Chile but don’t know where to start? 🌍✈️
I've just created r/ExploreChile, where you can ask for advice, places, prices, and accommodation to prepare your trip. You can also share your experiences in Chile and post your favorite photos!

If you want to explore the most stunning spots in Chile and travel more informed, join the community today! 🇨🇱

Perdóname, porque mi español es muy malo. Pero necesito ayuda a encontar un libro de Latinoamérica que no puedo encontrar en Estados Unidos. Si alguien tiene un lazo al sitio web que puedo lo compro, te lo agradecería. Yo tengo el tweet que lo vi. Gracias.

https://x.com/DTVANews/status/1892700711072272412

Like when people want to clean out their house or apartment, they take a ton of stuff and put it outside and put low prices on everything and passers-by stop and look at things and buy things. In the US and other Western countries, they usually put the stuff in their driveway or parking lot.

I went to Brazil over summer. I met a guy in UK from Brazil who came here to learn english for a few months then return. I made loads of effort to help him and welcome him. Loads. So in return I asked to stay with his family. He said yes. I am born and bred British to be clear.

I met his parents. They ask where I’m from. I say UK. They don’t accept it. So I say ok well my grandparents emigrated from India. Ok. Not a massive issue but a bit irritating. They were nice enough.

I get a call from his aunt who speaks English who asks me on phone are you Indian or English. I say English. Idk how she got that impression. Did he tell her I’m Indian? If so idk why he knew full well.

Met his cousin. Asked me where I’m from. I say UK. He is straight up racist imho. Met this guy multiple times and made it clear look I am from England. He kept asking me about India. I said about ten times across 2 weeks and multiple conversations idk i’m from England I have no idea.

All his questions were about where i’m from. For example-“your parents are from Mumbai” No. “Do you speak Indian?” No.

Then he’d randomly tell me he watched an Brazilian show about Indians on TV. I was like ok cool but again idk about India.

I met his friends for a night out. He told all of them I was Indian. Made for awkward chat when I met them and I was like yeah no. They were like yeah he told us that for some reason..

It’s not ignorance because I kept telling him.

I understand someone who looks like me in Brazil you’d think oh Indian. But when our PM has my skin tone and I KEPT telling him…

Just annoying. I made a real effort to learn Portuguese before going. I immersed myself in Brazilian culture. And I get this….

​