The need for integrated resource management in coastal and marine areas is increasingly urgent. Estuaries, as a
representation of the relationship between river basins and coastal areas are spaces of convergence due to their
natural characteristics. Transboundary estuaries also historically represent divisions between regions and
countries, often presenting overlaid administrative domains and a complex situation to manage. This paper
makes a meta-analysis of the main geographical and managerial characteristics of 17 cases of transboundary
estuaries in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC). These cases are presented as examples of bilateral
relations of cooperation and co-management of shared systems (fluvial, coastal and marine). The analysis of
these estuaries in LAC demonstrated that there is an inadequate integration between River Basin Management
and Coastal Areas Management, not considering the scope of a management based in ecosystems. It was also
exposed that the articulation of international and national policies and the land and sea domains that take place
at these locations determine the system management, as well as the use and distribution of shared resources.