Whether at home or traveling, I love visiting new bookstores. I enjoy experiencing the unique vibes and distinct book smells of unfamiliar places, and seeing how local culture shapes each one differently from those I’ve visited before. A book festival makes it even more special! These festivals are not just about books; they often feature favorite authors who give readings and sign books, offer delicious food, and create an environment you’ll want to immerse yourself in. If you’re an avid reader who also loves to travel, here are three book festivals in Central and South America, and the Caribbean that will give you the perfect excuse to explore.
São Paulo International Book Fair
With my husband being from Brazil, I have a biased opinion and absolutely love it there. However, São Paulo holds one of the biggest book festivals in Latin America, and you too can experience it! This fair brings together major publishers from all over Brazil and around the world. It’s not just about books; the festival also celebrates the local culture with food, music, and, of course, literature. This event has over 700 thousand visitors and is an event you do not want to miss! It runs from September 6-15, 2024. To learn more, you can visit their website here.
Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara
Held in Guadalajara, Mexico, the FIL (Feria Internacional del Libro) is a must-attend Spanish-speaking book fair. Created in 1987 and hosted by the University of Guadalajara, it is a premier event in the book publishing world. Unlike many other book festivals, the FIL welcomes the public, setting it apart from similar events worldwide. While literature is the main focus, the festival also highlights a specific country each year—this year being Spain—and features music, cinema, art, theater, and more from that country. This festival runs from November 30-December 8, 2024. To learn more, you can visit their website here.
The 33rd Annual Havana Book Fair
The Havana Book Fair takes place in San Carlos de La Cabaña, overlooking Havana Harbor. For 10 days, it transforms Havana City into a literary festival. Unlike other book festivals, this one is a traveling tour that continues to other cities for two more weeks, ending in Santiago de Cuba. The festival features book vendors, poetry readings, children’s exhibitions, and evening concerts. It is considered Cuba’s premier cultural event and one of the best festivals of the year, drawing over 2.3 million people! Each fair is dedicated to a genre, issue, or author, and includes a guest of honor. The Havana Book Fair will be held in Havana City from February 8-18, 2025, before moving east for two more weeks. To learn more, you can visit their website here.
Of course, there are many more book fairs and festivals around the world, including in Europe and the United States, but I wanted to highlight some in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. These regions offer a vibrant mix of literary events that showcase diverse cultures and traditions. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email, subscribe to my newsletter, or visit my blog for more information. Happy reading and traveling!
It’s fascinating how bookstores and festivals can capture the essence of a place while bringing people together. I completely agree that the atmosphere and cultural influence make each bookstore unique. Book festivals sound like a dream—combining literature, travel, and local flavors. Do you think smaller, lesser-known bookstores have the same charm as the big ones? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how to discover hidden gems while traveling. What’s the most memorable bookstore or festival you’ve ever visited?
I think smaller, lesser known bookstores actually have more charm. The big chain stores are nice but they can’t replicate every detail like a small bookstore can, that’s why I love them so much. Also support small businesses and everything.
Visiting new bookstores is truly a unique experience, and I couldn’t agree more with how local culture shapes each one differently. Book festivals sound like an absolute dream—combining literature, travel, and community into one immersive event. The idea of meeting authors, enjoying local food, and diving into the atmosphere is incredibly appealing. These festivals in Central and South America, and the Caribbean seem like hidden gems for book lovers and wanderers alike. Have you ever attended one of these festivals? If so, which one left the most lasting impression on you? I’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations!
I have not attended yet but they’re definitely on my bucket list! In the meantime, I make it a point to visit at least one hidden gem bookstore in every city I go to because they all offer their own charm and it is just incredible to see.
Visiting new bookstores is such a delightful experience! I love how each one has its own unique atmosphere and charm. Book festivals sound even more exciting, with the chance to meet authors and enjoy great food. I’m curious, which of the festivals in Central and South America, and the Caribbean would you recommend the most? Do you think these festivals truly capture the essence of the local culture? I’d love to hear more about your experiences and any tips for first-time attendees. What’s the most memorable book festival you’ve been to?
We have integrated libersave into our regional voucher system. It’s amazing how easily it allows us to combine various providers on one platform.
I know right! I would honestly go to any of these, they sound like so much fun. There is one in Rio de Janeiro called the Bienal Internaacional do Livro Rio that actually happened last week! I didn’t put it on here because it’s biannual but I would love to go to that one some day!