where should i travel next in latin america?

Last summer, after searching for a breakfast spot in Oaxaca for nearly half an hour, we finally stumbled into a tiny café where the owner chatted with us in Spanish about her family’s mole recipe. That’s the kind of travel I love—real conversations, real food, and not feeling like just another tourist. But here’s the thing: after so many trips to Mexico (CDMX, Guadalajara, Playa del Carmen, even the tourist-packed Puerto Vallarta), I’m itching for somewhere new. I want that authentic vibe, not a place where I order in Spanish and get answered in English, or where every step on the beach means dodging someone selling souvenirs. I’ve been eyeing places like Guanajuato and Puebla in Mexico, but Guatemala’s Lago Atitlán and Antigua look beautiful too. I’m tempted by Colombia—Medellín especially. The food, the colors, the energy! But then I hear warnings about safety, or stories about casual racism, and I wonder if I’m being too cautious or not cautious enough. I’m 6’3” and not exactly blending in, and sometimes I travel with my best friend who’s a Black woman, so I want to make sure we both feel safe and welcome. Plus, I get anxious about being crammed into tiny vans for hours—my knees still remember that colectivo ride in Playa del Carmen! I love food (as long as it’s not seafood), casual hikes, museums, and meeting locals. But I don’t want to end up somewhere so touristy that my Spanish gets ignored, or so off-the-beaten-path that I’m constantly on edge. Has anyone found that sweet spot in Latin America? Maybe a city or town where the food is amazing, the views are stunning, and the locals actually want to chat? And if you’ve traveled as a tall gringo or with friends who stand out, did you feel comfortable? I’m open to anywhere from Honduras to Uruguay, as long as it feels genuine and safe. Sometimes I wonder if I’m overthinking it, but after a few awkward moments in crowded tourist traps, I’d rather be picky than regret it later. #latinamericatravel #foodietravel #authentictravel #Travel