For this month of May, we have selected seven events across Latin America. Between traditional celebrations, festivals, sporting events, and professional gatherings, the calendar is particularly rich and reflects the diversity of dynamics across the region.
Palo de Mayo — Bluefields, Nicaragua (throughout May)
Of Afro-Caribbean origin, Palo de Mayo is one of the most emblematic celebrations on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast. In Bluefields, where most of the festivities take place, the event runs throughout the month with a continuous program featuring parades, comparsas, concerts, and community gatherings.
Traditional rhythms, especially driven by percussion, accompany a broader offering that includes competitions, fairs, and local specialties such as rondón and coconut bread. The symbolic kickoff takes place on May 1 around a ribbon-decorated tree, marking the beginning of a particularly dynamic period for the city.
Empire Music Festival — Guatemala (May 1–2)
Since its creation in 2014, the Empire Music Festival has established itself as one of the leading music events in Central America. For its eleventh edition, the festival brings together a lineup blending electronic and urban music, with international artists such as Ameli Lens, DJ Snake, Galantis, and Myke Towers, alongside emerging local talent.
The festival takes place in El Jocotillo, about 40 kilometers from the capital, in a specially designed venue with multiple stages, camping areas, and various side activities. The experience goes beyond music, featuring installations, brand spaces, and an integrated gastronomic offer.
ILTM Latin America — São Paulo, Brazil (May 4–7)
Part of the International Luxury Travel Market network, ILTM Latin America has become one of the key events for high-end tourism in the region. Held at the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, the event gathers a selection of exhibitors from more than 50 countries, alongside buyers from several Latin American markets, as well as advisors and specialized media.
This edition will focus on the evolution of the segment, particularly the growing demand for personalized experiences and new profiles of high-spending travelers. The trade show serves as a key benchmark for tracking trends shaping luxury tourism in Latin America.
FITCuba — Varadero, Cuba (May 7–9)
The International Tourism Fair of Cuba adopts a hybrid format this year, combining two online professional days with one in-person day in Varadero, at Parque Josone.
This edition highlights the evolution of the country’s tourism offering, with products focused on cycling, wildlife observation, water activities, and urban experiences. The digital platform enables remote professional exchanges, while the on-site day reintroduces direct interaction in one of the island’s main tourism hubs.
IRONMAN® 70.3® — Cap Cana, Dominican Republic (May 17)
Cap Cana hosts a new stage of the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit, the international long-distance triathlon format. The race includes a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run.
The course starts at Juanillo Beach and continues along mostly flat routes, favorable for fast performances, before finishing at the Cap Cana marina. Beyond the competition, the event takes place in a well-developed tourism environment, with extensive hotel infrastructure and access to natural spaces such as the Ojos Indígenas reserve.
Gran Carnaval Internacional de la Amistad — La Ceiba, Honduras (May 23)
In La Ceiba, the Gran Carnaval Internacional de la Amistad is one of the highlights of the Honduran calendar. Organized as part of the Feria Isidra, the event marks the culmination of several weeks of festivities.
The main parade, held along Avenida San Isidro, brings together floats, comparsas, and national and international delegations. The celebration continues with concerts and activities across different neighborhoods of the city. With attendance exceeding 300,000 participants, the carnival represents one of the country’s main tourism peaks.
Día de los Patrimonios — Chile (May 30–31)
Celebrated for over twenty years, Día de los Patrimonios has become a major cultural event in Chile. For two days, museums, historic buildings, and heritage sites open their doors free of charge across the country.
Beyond visits, the event offers a diverse program: guided tours, archive openings, craft workshops, demonstrations of traditional skills, concerts, and gastronomic activities. With more than 3.5 million participants in the last edition, it is one of the most widely attended cultural events in the country.
Photo: INTUR
