In a nutshell
- Chile is one of the safest countries to travel in South America. The south is noticeably safer than the north.
- That said, Chile is still more dangerous than most of Europe. Avoid low-income neighborhoods and don’t walk through deserted streets at night. Always keep your valuables close to you.
- To be on the safe side, always leave an ID document and a credit card at your accommodation.
- Those were just the essentials — below we cover crime in Chile in detail, the most important safety guidelines, natural disasters, dangerous animals, and more.
How Safe Is Chile?
Chile is a safe travel destination. If safety is a deciding factor for you when choosing whether to visit a country, Chile is the perfect destination in South America.
Along with Uruguay and closely followed by Argentina, Chile is the safest country to travel in South America. Crime in Chile isn’t really comparable to what you’d find in Brazil or Mexico.
That said, Chile is more dangerous than Europe. But if you follow a few key safety guidelines, you can vacation in Chile without any real worries.
Before we share our safety tips with you, here’s a quick overview of what crime in Chile actually looks like.
What Does Crime in Chile Look Like?
As a tourist, you probably won’t encounter much crime at all — the serious stuff plays out in areas that are completely off the tourist trail. We spent five months in Chile, nothing ever happened to us, and we didn’t meet a single tourist who had been attacked or robbed there.
The most common crimes against tourists are pickpocketing and muggings. If you’re not keeping a close eye on your things, your phone or wallet can vanish before you even realize it’s gone.
More unpleasant are muggings, which in Chile typically happen at night.
The classic scenario: a tourist walking alone through a deserted street after dark suddenly has a knife or sharp object held to their head. It’s almost always a threat — the attackers just want your valuables.
If you ever find yourself in that situation, stay calm, don’t argue, and hand over your valuables. The attackers will make a quick getaway once they have what they want.
Regional Differences in Chile
First, it’s worth knowing that Chile isn’t one-size-fits-all. The north is very different from the south.
As a rough rule of thumb: the farther south you travel, the safer Chile gets. The north is significantly poorer than the south, which drives higher crime rates up there.
Everywhere south of Pucón is very safe. On a road trip through Patagonia, for example, you really don’t need to worry about your safety any more than you would in Rome, Paris, or London.
In the north, things are a bit different. Outside of popular tourist spots like San Pedro de Atacama, avoid walking the streets at night. The crime level up there is roughly comparable to countries like Peru or Bolivia.
Major Cities in Chile
Major cities in Chile are less safe than smaller towns — mainly because larger cities have more low-income neighborhoods and more people in difficult circumstances on the streets.
The low-income neighborhoods in Chilean cities are called Poblaciones. You should steer clear of these areas, especially as a tourist.
The good news: they’re usually on the outskirts of cities, so you probably won’t stumble into them at all. Most Poblaciones are in Santiago de Chile, by far the country’s largest city.
Tourist Areas vs. Non-Tourist Areas
Tourist areas in Chile are very safe. There’s usually a strong police presence and plenty of other travelers around, so crime in Chile’s tourist centers is really low.
As soon as you leave those areas, things can get sketchier fast. The risk of being robbed goes up noticeably. So don’t stray too far from tourist areas — that’s the easiest way to stay on the safe side.
Also read about the most beautiful attractions in Chile
Important Safety Guidelines for Traveling in Chile
To make sure nothing happens to you on your trip, here are the most important safety guidelines for Chile.
Always Keep a Close Eye on Your Valuables
Keeping your valuables close to you is the number one rule in Chile. Even if an area seems totally safe, don’t let your guard down.
Unfortunately, pickpockets are everywhere, and your phone or wallet can disappear faster than you’d think if you’re not paying attention. We always recommend keeping your valuables in a money belt.
Leave Important Documents at Your Accommodation
Having all your documents stolen while traveling is an absolute nightmare scenario. Since you can never completely rule out theft, always leave some of your documents back at your accommodation.
For example, we always leave our passport at the hotel and only carry our ID card with us. We also travel with two credit cards and leave one at the hotel. And we bring an old phone on vacation so we’re never completely without one if something goes wrong.
Avoid Low-Income Neighborhoods and Don't Walk Down Deserted Alleys at Night
The highest risk of being robbed is at night in places where there’s not much going on. So get around after dark by Uber or taxi rather than walking.
In places that are busy even at night, you don’t need to stress too much. But as soon as you turn onto a street where there are barely any people around, it’s best to turn right back around and grab a taxi.
During the day, the risk is much lower. Still, avoid run-down neighborhoods and low-income areas — they tend to be less safe, and you’ll stand out as a tourist there.
How Safe Is Chile for Solo Female Travelers?
Chile is generally no more dangerous for women than it is for men.
If you’re traveling alone, the risk of being robbed is slightly higher than when traveling in a group. But as long as you follow our safety guidelines, you’ll be fine even as a solo female traveler.
That said, as a foreign woman — especially with blonde hair or blue eyes — you’ll stand out in Chile and will attract a lot of attention from men. At first you might even enjoy the occasional compliment, but it can get tiresome pretty quickly.
If you’re traveling solo in Chile, be prepared for stares and being approached frequently. If it becomes too uncomfortable, don’t engage with any advances and act as neutral and uninterested as possible. Most men will leave you alone after that.
Natural Disasters in Chile
Chile sits in a seismically active zone. There are currently around 90 active volcanoes in Chile, and the long Pacific coastline brings tsunami risk. Earthquakes are part of everyday life here, and wildfires in midsummer are also becoming more frequent.
That might sound alarming. But don’t worry — severe natural disasters are actually very rare in Chile.
Earthquakes in Chile
Earthquakes in Chile are so routine that locals barely flinch when the ground shakes for a few seconds. So be prepared to feel a minor tremor while you’re there.
Strong, destructive earthquakes are rare. They can happen at any time, though, since several tectonic plates meet near Chile beneath the earth’s surface.
Tsunamis in Chile
Since Chile sits on the Pacific, there is a tsunami risk. However, these are very rare, and Chile has a solid warning and evacuation system in place if one ever does approach. Tsunamis here are also usually triggered by an earthquake first.
Volcanic Eruptions in Chile
Few countries have as many volcanoes as Chile — and 90 of them are currently active. So an eruption can certainly happen from time to time. A truly destructive volcanic eruption, however, is very rare.
The most active volcanoes in Chile include the Láscar volcano in the Atacama Desert, the Villarica volcano, and the Llaima volcano.
Also read our tips on the best time to visit Chile
Are There Dangerous Animals in Chile?
There are a few dangerous animals in Chile, but really not many. Highly venomous snakes aren’t found here. There are no sharks in Chile’s coastal waters either, and mosquitoes carrying tropical diseases are largely absent too.
Here’s a look at the animals in Chile that are worth knowing about:
Chilean Recluse Spider
It’s one of the most venomous spiders in the world and is found mainly in Chile — hence the name. A bite can be life-threatening to humans, and the spider is actually quite common in Chilean households. Since it’s nocturnal, bites tend to happen at night.
If you want to play it safe, check your bed in the evening and shake out your clothes in the morning. That said, the likelihood of being bitten by the Chilean recluse spider is very low. So don’t lose sleep over it.
Aedes Mosquitoes
Aedes mosquitoes can transmit yellow fever, but they’re very rarely found in Chile — and when they are, it’s mainly in the north of the country or on Easter Island.
Puma
The puma is a predator found mainly in Patagonia. Attacks on humans are extremely rare — we’re not on their menu. Still, keep your distance if you happen to spot one.
What Is Medical Care Like in Chile?
Medical care in Chile is good. In major cities, it’s comparable to European standards. Private clinics and hospitals are somewhat better than public facilities.
If you need medical treatment, you pay for it on the spot. We strongly recommend taking out international health insurance before you go — you simply submit the bill afterward and get reimbursed.
