LATA Media Awards

We are delighted to confirm the shortlist for the LATA Media Awards 2026. The annual awards ceremony will take place at Gaucho Piccadilly on Tuesday 22 September to recognise innovation and excellence across the British travel media landscape and reward content that promotes travel to and around Latin America.

The standard of entries has been exceptional, showcasing the rich diversity and unforgettable experiences Latin America has to offer. From powerful conservation features and compelling travel blogs to immersive audio storytelling, this year’s shortlist showcases the talent and creativity shaping how Latin America is represented in the UK media. With a record number of entries this year, we look forward to celebrating the best travel content published in the United Kingdom that promotes authentic travel to and around Latin America. 

Prior to the awards ceremony, LATA will also host an intimate ‘Meet the Media’ networking session, offering media attendees the chance to connect with a small group of LATA members. This informal event will provide a valuable opportunity to build relationships, discover new story angles, and deepen knowledge of Latin American destinations, experiences, and travel trends.

The judges of the LATA Media Awards 2026 are Daniel Benians as this year’s LATA Member Guest Judge. He will be judging alongside Kirsty Williams in her first role as vice-chair of the LATA Committee, as well as Sarah Bradley, Managing Director of Journey Latin America, Frances Tuke, PR and Communications Manager for ATTA, and Stephanie Boyle, Head of Communications and Campaigns at the Safer Tourism Foundation.

Media can register to attend by emailing press@lata.travel

LATA members can purchase tickets here

The Shortlist

The shortlisted entries for each category in the LATA Media Awards 2026 are as follows:

Best LATA Member Content

Chris Bladon – Crowded Christ: Why small is not always beautiful – Pura Aventura

Julia Bysshe – El Salvador – An itinerary around the last undiscovered Central American country – LiNGER

Lewis Freeth – Photographers Guide to Costa Rica – Latin Routes

Simon Williams – Discovering Peru’s new rainbow mountain – Pallay Punchu – Humboldt Travel

Kate Wickers – Brazil’s Cerrado – Rainbow Tours

Best Latin America Feature – Trade Press

Joanna Booth – Hiking to Peru’s ‘other’ lost city – Travel Weekly

Karen Edwards – Natural Connection – Travel Weekly

Best Latin America Travel Blog or Vlog

Bella Falk – Lake Atitlan for beginners: How to visit Guatemala’s No. 1 spot –Passport & Pixels

Malini Angelica – Central America’s hidden paradise – You Tube – Malini Angelica

Marco Allegri – Colca Valley, Peru – Thinking Nomads

Best Latin American Travel Feature – Magazine (online or print)

Bryony Cottam – Where evolution never sits still – Geographical

Nori Jemil – One woman’s mission to protect the pumas of Chile’s southern pampas – Adventure.com

Stanley Stewart – Moonwalking in Bolivia – Conde Nast Traveller

Tony Perrottet – Siren’s Call – Conde Nast Traveller

Ash Bhardwaj – The Culture of the Galapagos islands – JNRY Magazine

Claire Boobbyer – 16 of the best things to do in Cuba – Lonely Planet Magazine

Farida Zeynalova – City Life Cartagena – National Geographic Traveller

Laura Field – Regenerating a nation – El Salvador – Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Lisa Grainger – Explore a beautiful Patagonian national park from lakeside villas – The Times

Lydia Bell – Cuba Rays of Light – Conde Nast Traveller

Sarah Marshall – Savage Beauty – Conde Nast Traveller

SJ Armstrong – Why has this Mexican city held the title of Mexico’s foodie for centuries – Adventure.com

Best Latin America Travel Feature – Newspaper or News Outlet (online or print)

Mark Stratton – Meet tipsy tamarins and tiny turtles in the Ecuadorian Amazon – The Times

Oliver Berry – Five star thrills in the middle of the Jungle – The Times

Samantha Weinberg – How I gatecrashed my daughter’s gap year – Financial Times

Stanley Stewart – Argentina’s final frontier – Financial Times

Gordon Thomson – Rio’s ‘safe’ favelas have become hip enclaves for foreigners – here’s why – The Telegraph

James Stewart – The unexpected country tipped to be Central America’s next best thing – The Times

Laura French – My month in the new tourist favourite that’s still affordable and crowd free – The i

Suzanne Bearne – The enchanting new walking trail that led me to the real Mexico – The Times

Best Sustainability Focused Feature (with a focus on Conservation, Community a/o Sustainability) – Newspaper, Magazine, Trade, Blog or Vlog

Farida Zeynalova – Protectors of Paradise – National Geographic Traveller

Imogen Lepere – From Poacher to Protector: Meet the former big cat hunter saving Jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal – Suitcase

Kate Humble – 24 Hours in Eden – Costa Rica – Wanderlust Magazine

Kate Wickers – Savana, Queen of the Desert – Porthole Cruise and Travel

Meera Dattani – The other Camino –Adventure.com

Robyn Wilson – The five-day trek in the Guatemalan jungle that’s worth every blister – The Independent

Best Published Latin America Podcast

Karen Edwards – Exploring Quito’s abundant biodiversity – Wanderlust Off the Page

Mark Wheeler and Cliver Rioja – Better World – Setting sail into the Peruvian Amazon – You Tube – &Beyond

Phoebe Smith – Can’t we all just get along – Wander Woman podcast

Shebs Alom – Small Earthquakes – Take a Wander with Shebs podcast

Best published Latin America Photo Story

Karolina Wiercigroch – City Life Cartegena – National Geographic Traveller

Mark Rammers – From Poacher to Protector: Meet the former big cat hunter saving jaguars in Brazil’s Pantanal – Suitcase

Thank you so much to all the LATA members for their help with the shortlisting: Yira Salas, Fernando Amer, Milly Alva, Julieta Amuchastegui, Rafe Stone, Laura Rendell-Dunn, Naomi McKee, and Jenny Powles