Resumo: Informal settlements are consistent areas in Latin America which exhibit distinctive urban, social and cultural dynamics. However their size and impact, these settlements have been traditionally overlooked in terms of the contribution that they make to the city and to any tourism and place branding strategy. These areas are commonly seen as nothing more to offer than poverty and constraint. However, research shows their possibilities beyond those traditional limits, and arguably they can actively contribute to tourism development and branding cities in Latin America. Exploring literature on informal settlements and branding cities, and comparing with field research in barrios of Bogotá, the purpose ofthis paper is to critically explore the contribution that informal settlements can make for a tourism strategy and to a fairer, more real and more authentic branding of cities.
