Latin America's Booming Delivery Market
Latin America has experienced explosive growth in food delivery over the past decade, fueled by rapid smartphone adoption, urban density, and a culture that embraces convenience. The region's delivery ecosystem is dominated by a mix of homegrown super-apps and international platforms, with each country having its own preferred services.
For travelers, the great news is that Latin American delivery apps are generally affordable and offer wide restaurant selection. The challenge is that most apps are primarily in Spanish or Portuguese, and payment systems can favor local methods. However, with a few key apps installed and an international credit card, you can eat well anywhere in the region.
The Two Apps Every Traveler Needs
Download Rappi and Uber Eats before traveling to Latin America. Rappi covers the widest range of countries and services, while Uber Eats offers the most seamless experience for English-speaking tourists with international payment methods.
Mexico & Central America
Mexico
Mexico has one of the most competitive delivery markets in Latin America. Uber Eats is the market leader, with excellent coverage across Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Cancun, and dozens of other cities. Rappi is a strong second option and doubles as a grocery and convenience delivery service. DiDi Food (from the Chinese ride-hailing giant) has grown rapidly and often offers the lowest prices thanks to aggressive promotions.
Cornershop (owned by Uber) is the go-to app for grocery delivery from supermarkets like Walmart, Costco, and Chedraui. If you are staying in an Airbnb and need to stock up, Cornershop is invaluable.
Costa Rica
Uber Eats is the primary delivery app in Costa Rica, operating mainly in the Greater San Jose area. Rappi also operates in San Jose. Coverage outside the capital region is limited. International credit cards work well on both platforms.
Panama
PedidosYa and Uber Eats are the main options in Panama City. Rappi entered the market as well. Panama uses the US dollar, which simplifies pricing for American tourists. Card acceptance is generally good across all platforms.
Guatemala, Honduras & El Salvador
Hugo is a regional app popular across Central America, operating in Guatemala City, San Salvador, and Tegucigalpa. PedidosYa and Uber Eats have limited but growing presence in these markets. Coverage is mostly restricted to capital cities.
Mexico: Best Delivery Value in North America
Food delivery in Mexico is remarkably affordable. A full restaurant meal delivered in Mexico City typically costs $5-10 USD, with delivery fees often under $1. DiDi Food frequently offers 50% or more off first orders.
Brazil: iFood's Kingdom
Brazil is Latin America's largest food delivery market, and it is thoroughly dominated by a single app: iFood. With over 80% market share, iFood is used by virtually every Brazilian who orders food delivery. The app has an enormous restaurant network covering cities large and small across the country.
For tourists, iFood can be challenging. The app is primarily in Portuguese and has historically had limited international card acceptance. However, it has improved support for foreign payment methods in recent years. Uber Eats is the best alternative for tourists in Brazil, offering English support and reliable international card acceptance in major cities like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and Belo Horizonte.
Rappi also operates in Brazil but has a much smaller market share compared to iFood. 99Food (from the DiDi-owned 99 ride-hailing app) is another option but is mostly used in smaller cities.
Brazil: CPF Number Often Required
Many Brazilian apps and services ask for a CPF (tax identification number) during registration. iFood may require one. Uber Eats typically does not require a CPF for tourists paying with international cards, making it the easier choice. See our phone requirements guide for more details.
Andean & Southern Cone Countries
Colombia
Rappi was founded in Bogota, and Colombia is its strongest market. The app offers food delivery, groceries, pharmacy, and even cash delivery (RappiFavors). Uber Eats is the main competitor. DiDi Food has also entered the Colombian market. For tourists visiting Bogota, Medellin, or Cartagena, Rappi and Uber Eats provide excellent coverage with international card acceptance.
Peru
Rappi and PedidosYa are the leading delivery apps in Peru. Uber Eats also operates in Lima and other major cities. Peru's incredible food scene — from ceviche to lomo saltado — is well represented on these platforms. Lima in particular has outstanding delivery options. International cards are accepted on all major platforms.
Chile
PedidosYa is the market leader in Chile, followed by Uber Eats and Rappi. Cornershop is extremely popular for grocery delivery. Santiago has excellent delivery coverage, and Valparaiso and Vina del Mar are also well served. Chilean delivery apps generally work well with international credit cards.
Argentina
PedidosYa dominates in Argentina, with a massive restaurant network in Buenos Aires and across the country. Rappi is the second major option. Uber Eats previously operated in Argentina but has exited the market. Payment in Argentina can be complicated due to currency controls — international credit cards may be charged at the official exchange rate rather than the parallel rate, making deliveries relatively expensive for tourists. Cash on delivery using pesos bought at a better rate can save money.
Argentina: Cash Can Save You Money
Due to Argentina's complex exchange rate system, paying with cash on delivery using pesos obtained at the parallel (blue dollar) rate can be significantly cheaper than paying by international credit card, which charges the official rate.
Rappi: Latin America's Super-App Explained
No guide to Latin American food delivery is complete without a deeper look at Rappi, the Colombian-born super-app that has become a household name across the region. Here is what makes Rappi special and how to get the most out of it as a tourist:
What Rappi Offers Beyond Food
- RappiFood: Restaurant food delivery with wide selection
- RappiMarket: Grocery delivery from local supermarkets
- RappiCash: Cash delivered to your door (available in some countries)
- RappiFavors: Send a Rappi courier to buy anything from any store and deliver it to you
- Pharmacy delivery: Order medications and health products
- Convenience store delivery: Quick delivery of snacks, drinks, and essentials
Tourist Tips for Rappi
Rappi's interface is available in Spanish, Portuguese, and English (depending on the country). The app accepts international Visa and Mastercard in most markets. Registration requires a phone number — your international number usually works, but you may need a local SIM in some cases. Rappi Prime (their subscription service) offers free delivery and is worth it if you plan to order frequently during your stay.
RappiFavors: A Traveler's Secret Weapon
RappiFavors lets you send a courier to buy anything from any nearby store. Need a specific item from a local market, a forgotten phone charger, or snacks from a particular shop? Just describe what you need, and a Rappi courier will go buy it and deliver it to you.
Payment, Safety & Practical Tips
Payment Methods
Here is what works for tourists across Latin American delivery apps:
- International credit cards (Visa/Mastercard): Accepted on Uber Eats, Rappi, and PedidosYa in most countries. Best tourist option.
- Cash on delivery: Widely available across the region. Useful when cards are declined or for better exchange rates (especially in Argentina).
- PayPal: Accepted on Uber Eats in some markets. Limited on other platforms.
- Local e-wallets: Nequi (Colombia), Mercado Pago (Argentina), PIX (Brazil) — these require local bank accounts and are not practical for most tourists.
Safety Tips for Delivery in Latin America
Food delivery through established apps is generally safe, but keep these tips in mind:
- Always track your delivery in the app and verify the driver's identity
- For hotel delivery, meet drivers in the lobby rather than giving room numbers
- Use in-app payment when possible to minimize cash transactions
- Stick to well-reviewed restaurants on the platform
- Be aware of common delivery scams like drivers claiming items were not available to get partial refunds
Tipping Expectations Vary
Tipping delivery drivers is appreciated but not mandatory in most Latin American countries. In Mexico and Colombia, small tips (10-15% or rounding up) are common. In Brazil and Argentina, tipping on delivery is less expected. Most apps include an in-app tipping option. See our tipping guide for specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rappi is the most widely available delivery app across Latin America, operating in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Costa Rica. However, iFood dominates in Brazil (the region's largest market), and PedidosYa leads in Argentina and Uruguay.
Yes, Uber Eats operates in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and several other Latin American countries. It accepts international credit cards and offers an English interface, making it one of the most tourist-friendly options in the region.
Uber Eats reliably accepts US and international credit cards across Latin America. Rappi generally accepts international Visa and Mastercard. iFood in Brazil can be more restrictive with foreign cards. Cash on delivery is widely available as a fallback option in most Latin American countries.
Food delivery through major apps like Rappi, Uber Eats, and iFood is generally safe. These platforms track drivers in real-time and provide delivery verification. For hotel delivery, always meet the driver in the lobby. Avoid sharing your exact room number and use in-app payment rather than cash when possible.
Rappi is a Colombian super-app that goes far beyond food delivery. It offers restaurant delivery, grocery shopping, pharmacy orders, cash withdrawals, and even courier services. Its RappiFavors feature lets you request a courier to buy anything from any store. It is popular because it solves many daily logistics needs in one app.