<p>The hot-cold classification system is widely distributed in Latin America, particularly in traditional medicine and diet, including medicinal and food plants. This scoping review integrates information from academic publications that contain empirical data. It examines the system in Central America, the Antilles, and some migrant populations of the USA. We analyzed the geographical and cultural distribution of the system in these three regions, as well as concepts of health, illness, treatments, and diet. Sixty-seven publications were identified, most from the Antilles (42%). The system has been documented for 32 ethnic groups: in Central America, mainly for Indigenous Peoples, in the Antilles for Afro-Caribbean populations, and in the USA for Latin American migrants. The general principles in Central America and the Antilles resemble those found in Mexico, although some variants appear to be linked to climate, as well as the historical and cultural background. In the Antilles and among the African American population in the USA, beliefs about blood play a notable role and seem to derive from African world views and traditional medicine. We suggest that the current hot-cold system, particularly in the Antilles, is the result of syncretism between Mesoamerican, European, and African beliefs, and migrations have been a key contributing factor.&#xa0;</p>