Leisure in Latin America

Latin American countries have common characteristics that distinguish them from other continental groups around the world; however, they also possess unique cultural, historical, economic, social, political, ethnic, and environmental issues and features that differentiate them from each other (Galeano, 2009; Gallini, 2009; Gomes, Osorio, Pinto, & Elizalde. 2009). As such, they also have distinctive patterns of leisure practices and traditions that can only be discussed as a group for analytical purposes in order to provide a general overview of how they compare to other major cultures of world. The purpose of this chapter is to provide such an overview.