9 Documentaries About Latin America to Watch on Netflix US
Are you on the hunt for documentaries on Netflix? Look no further. The documentaries on Netflix in 2021 about Latin America show why so many travel to this fascinating place.
By watching documentaries on Netflix about Latin America, you learn about the culture, food, and wonder of the Hispanic world. By watching content in Spanish, you can practice your Spanish while learning about different cultures.
Lots of amazing documentaries on Netflix have to do with the rich culture of Latin America. Read this article to discover the top 9 documentaries on Netflix about Latin America!
Hand-picked for you: 13 Educational Documentaries in Spanish You Don’t Want to Miss
9 Must-see Documentaries on Netflix about Latin America
Here are the top documentaries on Netflix about Latin America to check out. They’ll make you want to travel to these wonders as soon as you can.
Pro-tip! Read this post on What is Neutral or Standard Spanish and Why Does the Media Use It? And train your ear to recognize what kind of Spanish is being spoken.
1. Guatemala: Heart of the Mayan World (Guatemala: Corazón del Mundo Maya) – 2019
Director: Ignacio Juansolo, Luis Ara
Rated: G
This documentary explores the geological wonder and cultural richness of Guatemala. It explores the wondrous jungles of Guatemala full of mesmerizing flora and fauna. This documentary is an homage to the most amazing sites in Guatemala, including the Mayan city of Tikal in Petén.
See also: The Ultimate Traveler’s Guide to Flores, Petén, Guatemala
2. Magical Andes (Andes Mágicos) – 2020
Creators: Luis Ara, Alexandra Hardorf
Rated: G
Magical Andes is a documentary about international travelers visiting the Andes mountains. The immense Andes mountain range in the world is 5,500 miles (8,900 km) long.
The series now has a second season with four new episodes. Each episode explores a different part of the Andes. The narrator shows wanderers from different cultures and how the mountain range impacts them. Check it out for yourself and see why so many strive to visit this magnificent natural wonder in South America.
3. Peru, Hidden Treasure (Peru, tesoros escondido) – 2017
Director: Luis Ara
Rated: 7+
Peru is famous for its stunning landscapes, delicious cuisine, and unique culture. Millions of travelers go to the Peruvian Inca country each year. Peru, Hidden Treasure reveals Peru’s best kept secrets that will make you want to go and see them for yourself.
It is directed by a Uruguayan filmmaker and visits some of the most famous landmarks in Peru as well as some hidden treasures that you might have never heard of. It depicts the rainforest, the coastline, the highlands, and the Peruvian Andes. It’s an homage to the cultural heritage of Peru.
4. Lorena: Light-footed Woman (Lorena: la de pies ligeros) – 2019
Director: Juan Carlos Rulfo
Rated: G
Lorena: Light-Footed Woman is about a fascinating indigenous woman who runs ultra-marathons but doesn’t aspire to be famous. Ultra marathons exceed the 26.2 miles (42.2 km) length of traditional marathons.
Lorena belongs to the Tarahumara indigenous group of Mexico famous for their long-distance ability. She’s a woman with a mission who stays focused on her end goal. And what makes it all even more impressive is that she prefers to run in sandals. She says that sandals are comfortable and help her run the way she does. It’s an inspiring story for the ages.
5. Pacificum: Return to the Ocean (Pacificum: El retorno al océano) – 2017
Director: Mariana Tschudi
Rated: G
Pacificum: Return to the Ocean is one of the most splendid documentaries on Netflix. We travel to Peru again, this time going underwater to witness a diverse ecosystem of animals.
In this history documentary on Netflix, paleontologist Rodolof Salas discusses the evolution of whales and dolphins. Visit Odlucuje, a desert on the coast of Peru, which used to be an ocean. It’s the perfect place to study the evolutionary history of many animals. It’s a wonderful documentary on Netflix that takes you back in time.
6. A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story (Fangio: El hombre que domaba las máquinas) – 2020
Director: Francisco Macri
Rated: 7+
This documentary follows Juan Manuel Fangio, one of the most famous race car drivers of all time. The F1 legend’s achievements are impressive. This is a fascinating watch if you’re into history documentaries.
This film shows interviews with sports scientists who study the stats, variables, and environments that determine whether Juan Manuel was the best of all time. In the past, drivers were more involved with their cars, whereas now drivers have a workforce of thousands helping them reach the finish line.
7. Parchis: The Documentary (Parchís) – 2016
Director: Daniel Arasanz
Rated: 13+
This music documentary on Netflix features testimonies by David, Yolanda, Gemma, and Tino, who share their experience on what it was like to rise to fame in their childhood. Forty years later, they share how this experience shaped their lives.
The manager of the band explains what it was like on a personal and professional level to be exposed to millions of fans. It’s a touching human story with an honest look of what it’s like to be famous at a young age.
8. Birders (Pajareros) – 2019
Director: Otilia Portillo Padua
Rated: G
This short documentary on Netflix is easy and fun to watch. If you love birds, this is definitely for you. It’s interesting to learn more about birdwatchers and why they love birds the way they do.
Birders not only care about these flying creatures but also help protect their habitats seeing as so many forests and natural habitats are being destroyed. It’s difficult for birds to survive in the human world and they need special protection and consideration to preserve their survival.
9. A Tale of Two Kitchens (Una Historia de Dos Cocinas) – 2019
Director: Trisha Ziff
Rated: 7+
This documentary on Netflix is all about food! Chef Gabriela Cámara is one of the most innovative chiefs ever. She opened Contramar in 1998, one of the best restaurants in Mexico City. Cámara always wanted to open a beach café that offers upscale dishes, and 17 year later, she made it happen.
Her staff includes convicts because she believes everyone deserves a second chance. In A Tale of Two Kitchens, Trisha Ziff explores Gabriela’s community. Witness the Mexican-American culture and its richness.
How to Improve Your Spanish with Documentaries
Watching documentaries on Netflix about Latin America is a fun way to learn more about the Hispanic culture. If you aren’t traveling or living in a Spanish-speaking country yet, watching these documentaries will prepare you to take the leap. And learning Spanish is key if you want to travel or live in Latin America.
In the United States, there are currently about 53 million people who speak Spanish, making the U.S. the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. According to CNN, there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the U.S. who speak Spanish in their homes, with an additional 11.6 million who are bilingual. Sign up for a free trial class today to take your Spanish to the next level!
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