Safest Countries in South America: 11 Nations Ranked

South America suffers from a reputational problem: it’s often seen as a region where political instability, petty crime, and slow bureaucracy pose significant problems for foreign travelers. 

The reality is much more nuanced. Some countries are going through major political upheavals. Others have safety and security issues confined to specific regions. And there are South American countries where safety is comparable to that of some European countries. 

In this guide, we’ll review 11 nations to rank the safest countries in South America. You’ll also learn about: 

• The resources you should use to verify safety before traveling
• The safety issues you should be worried about when visiting South American countries
• The ways to stay safe when traveling to the region 

How To Assess Safety Before Traveling to South America

One of the main benchmarks used to assess a country’s safety is the Global Peace Index (GPI). To determine how peaceful a country is, this index takes into account 23 indicators from three key areas: 

1. Ongoing domestic and international conflict 
2. Societal safety and security
3. Militarisation

The average Global Peace Index for South America in 2026 is 2.161, ranging from 1.754 for Uruguay (the most peaceful) to 2.735 for Colombia (the least peaceful). 

While the GPI can be useful to compare countries and get a broad sense of a region, it can also be misleading if you use it on its own. For example, the U.S. has a GPI similar to Ecuador’s, the second least peaceful country in South America, and a worse GPI than Venezuela. 

For this reason, when assessing the safety of a South American country, it’s best to pair the GPI with the travel advisory from your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its equivalent. If your country doesn’t issue travel advisories, you can consult the U.S. Department of State’s or the Canadian or British governments’ official websites for advice.

Below are the scores of South American countries, as well as the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory levels (lower number is safer for both measures):

Country	Global Peace Index	Travel Advisory Level
Uruguay	1.754	Level 2
Chile	1.826	Level 2
Paraguay	1.882	Level 1
Argentina	1.922	Level 1
Bolivia	2.054	Level 2
Guyana	2.093	Level 3
Peru	2.120	Level 2
Brazil	2.333	Level 2
Venezuela	2.516	Level 3
Ecuador	2.539	Level 2
Colombia	2.735	Level 3

What Is the Safest Country in South America: 11 Countries Ranked

South American countries, ranked from safest to the least safe, are:

1. Uruguay
2. Chile
3. Paraguay
4. Argentina
5. Bolivia
6. Guyana
7. Peru
8. Brazil
9. Venezuela
10. Ecuador 
11. Colombia

Uruguay

Uruguay is traditionally considered one of the safest countries in South America. The country holds the best Global Peace Index on the continent in 2026. However, the United States Department of State travel advisory urges visitors to exercise increased caution. 

For regular visitors, the areas of the country with the most safety risks include the capital, Montevideo, as well as the border region with Brazil. During peak tourism seasons, however, tourist areas such as Punta del Este or Rocha might also experience increased crime. 

Uruguay is a politically stable country, so the types of crime that may affect travelers include: 

• Petty crime, such as pickpocketing or purse snatching
• Motorcycle-enabled theft, where motorcycles are used for a quick getaway
• Theft from vehicles, where belongings are stolen from parked vehicles or at traffic lights
• Burglaries, with houses being targeted more often than apartments

Chile

Ranked as the second safest country in South America by the Global Peace Index, Chile is generally a safe destination for travelers.

The main risks are petty crime in larger cities and isolated incidents of politically motivated violence in parts of the Araucania and Biobio regions. These incidents rarely affect tourists directly, but they still require caution from travelers to the region. 

Santiago is also a regular site of demonstrations. These are largely peaceful but still high-risk events that disrupt public services. They tend to occur on important dates and holidays, such as: 

• Date of the 1973 military coup, September 11
• Day of the Young Combatant, March 29
• Workers’ Day, May 1

Crime, such as pickpocketing and robbery, sometimes with firearms, can happen across the country but is most concentrated in big cities that draw tourists, such as Santiago and Valparaíso. Some of the safety concerns to be mindful of include: 

• Pairs of locals who use distraction to rob tourists
• People “accidentally” spilling liquids on tourists as a means to get into physical proximity and rob them
• People puncturing tires on rental cars and stealing whatever is in the car while travelers are examining the damage

Paraguay

The third country on the list, Paraguay, is one of the rare South American countries for which the U.S. DOS has an “exercise normal precautions” travel advisory in effect. 

While Paraguay is generally safe to visit, travelers should remain aware of organized criminal activity in some border areas, particularly near the tri-border region with Brazil and Argentina, where drug trafficking and smuggling operations are active. However, these issues rarely affect tourists directly.

In larger cities, including the capital, Asunción, petty crimes such as pickpocketing, theft, and occasional robbery can occur, particularly in crowded areas and at night.

As in many other South American countries, there is a high risk of social conflict, often in the form of demonstrations.

As for petty and violent crimes that can affect travelers, they’re concentrated in urban centers. To stay safe, keep valuables secure, use caution when withdrawing cash, and never leave food or drinks unattended.

Argentina

Argentina’s drop to fourth place among the safest countries in the region, as measured by the Global Peace Index, is largely due to internal conflict over the austerity measures imposed by the country’s government and the subsequent response. 

Both the U.S. DOS and the Canadian government advise normal precautions when traveling to the country. However, the DOS also advises increased caution in the city of Rosario, due to higher levels of crime and violence related to organized crime.

For most visitors, the main safety concern is petty crime, including pickpocketing, theft, and occasional robbery, particularly in large cities such as Buenos Aires and Rosario. Demonstrations are common and can disrupt transportation, so it’s advisable to avoid large gatherings and monitor local news during your trip.

As with any destination, keep valuables secure, remain aware of your surroundings, and avoid leaving food and drinks unattended. 

Bolivia

While Bolivia has the same overall travel advisory level as Uruguay and Chile, it is the first country on the list with a region that travelers should not go to. The Chapare region is subject to a higher-level travel advisory due to organized crime and drug trafficking, and travelers should avoid visiting it. Elsewhere in the country, security conditions can vary, so you should always check the latest travel advisories before planning your itinerary.

La Paz has recently been the site of social and political unrest, manifested in demonstrations and roadblocks that significantly affected the city, its supply chains, and government services. While protests are often peaceful, they can escalate or cause significant travel delays, which is why it’s important to stay informed about local developments.

As for the types of crimes that might affect foreign travelers specifically, these include: 

• Theft and pickpocketing using distraction strategies
• Theft by criminals impersonating police officers

More serious crimes, such as express kidnappings and assaults, have been reported but are relatively uncommon.

Travelers looking to extend their stay and purchase real estate in Bolivia should also be cautious not to fall victim to real estate fraud. In general, working with trusted international companies with local knowledge and connections can help avoid scams in real estate transactions. 

Guyana

Guyana presents more safety challenges for travelers than many other countries on this list. The U.S. DOS advises its citizens to reconsider travel due to high crime rates, particularly violent crime, and the limited capacity of local law enforcement. 

Crime is most prevalent in the capital, Georgetown, although petty theft also occurs throughout the country.

Poor public infrastructure is another safety concern when traveling to Guyana. The lack of well-maintained roads, coupled with a high rate of drunk driving, makes road travel in Guyana a safety risk, especially at night. Use caution when choosing local transportation, as minibusses are frequently involved in accidents. 

There have also been incidents of piracy and robbery in Guyana’s coastal waters.

Peru

Peru requires a higher level of caution than several of the other countries on this list, but the most popular tourist destinations remain accessible and continue to draw visitors every year. Travelers should avoid certain high-risk areas where organized crime and security concerns are more prevalent, including:

• The Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro River Valley (VRAEM)
• The Upper Huallaga River valley
• Border regions near Colombia and Ecuador, and the surrounding areas

Peru is another South American country where protests occur with some regularity, often with little notice and with the potential to spread to surrounding areas. Since foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests, it’s best to avoid demonstration sites altogether. 

In cities such as Lima, Puno, Cusco, and Arequipa, the main safety concern is opportunistic crime, particularly pickpocketing and theft in busy tourist areas. Take the usual precautions when using public transportation, withdrawing cash, and choosing accommodation.

Brazil

For the most part, Brazil requires a higher level of caution than many other countries in South America, largely because of organized crime and gang activity in certain areas, including: 

• All international borders with Brazil’s neighboring countries, excluding the border with Uruguay
• Any favelas in any city
• The Satellite Cities surrounding Brasilia, particularly after dark

In major cities, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador, crime levels vary significantly by neighborhood. The most common risks for visitors are theft, pickpocketing, and robbery, especially in crowded tourist areas, on public transportation, and during large events such as Carnival.

Keeping valuables out of sight, using trusted transportation, and avoiding isolated areas at night can significantly reduce your safety risk. 

Venezuela

Venezuela has a significantly higher level of safety risk than most other countries in South America, requiring travelers to exercise a high degree of caution. The U.S. DOS currently recommends reconsidering travel to Venezuela, while some areas remain under stricter warnings due to heightened risks of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. These areas include: 

• The Venezuela-Colombia border region
• Amazonas and Apure
• Guárico and parts of Bolívar and Aragua
• Táchira

The country continues to face a tense political and economic situation and a lack of safety and security services. Demonstrations are common, typically triggered by political or economic developments, and sometimes lead to disruptions and transportation issues. 

Violent crime remains a major concern, particularly in larger urban areas such as Caracas. 

Ecuador 

As one of the least safe countries on the list, Ecuador requires travelers to exercise increased caution and warns of areas to avoid due to significant internal conflict. The most drastic security situation is along the border with Colombia, due to armed conflict, and along the southern part of the border with Peru, due to the presence of landmines. 

Areas with less severe conditions that are still unsafe to visit due to violent crime risks include: 

• Esmeraldas province
• Parts of El Oro province (Machala, Huaquillas)
• Parts of Guayas province (Duran, Milagro, areas of Guayaquil)
• Parts of Los Ríos province (Babahoyo, Quevedo)

The Gálapagos Islands are among the safest areas in Ecuador and generally require normal travel precautions. In other parts of the country, travelers may encounter crimes such as robbery, theft, pickpocketing, car break-ins, and ATM or credit card fraud. 

Incidents of harassment, verbal abuse, and assault have also been reported, especially in tourist areas.

Colombia

As the least safe country on the list, Colombia requires a higher level of caution from travelers. Safety conditions vary significantly across the country: while some popular destinations remain relatively safe, other regions should only be visited if necessary or avoided altogether due to risks related to armed groups, organized crime, and kidnapping.

The most dangerous parts of the country include: 

• The Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru border regions
• Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo, Vaupés, and Vichada departments as a whole
• Parts of Amazonas, Antioquia, Córdoba, Meta, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca 

The safest parts of the country are the island of Providencia and the town of San Andrés on the island of San Andrés.

In major cities and tourist areas, travelers should be aware of risks like theft, pickpocketing, robbery, scams, ATM and credit card fraud, and occasional cases of express kidnapping or the use of incapacitating drugs, such as scopolamine.

For a longer stay or relocation, research neighborhoods carefully and seek advice from locals, as well as mobility advisors, when choosing accommodation. 

How To Stay Safe When Traveling to South America

The most important rule when traveling to South America is to take official advisories seriously and avoid visiting unsafe areas. This applies to parts of countries as well as specific areas in cities. You can consult travel websites or even expat forums for a more granular view of the safety situation in specific cities. 

Avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself by leaving expensive jewelry and designer clothing at home. Carry only what you need, avoid having large amounts of cash on yourself, and keep a copy of your passport while storing the original securely.

Below are some extra tips for staying safe in South America: 

• Be mindful of distraction tactics that criminals may use to try to rob you
• Don’t take food or drinks from strangers, and don’t leave your drinks unattended
• Be careful when taking any object that an unfamiliar person tries to hand you
• Keep your car windows up, especially at traffic stops
• If being robbed, cooperate with the thief rather than escalating the situation

If you’re traveling to South America to establish a business or a regional presence, it’s advisable to work with established companies with on-the-ground experience. They can provide invaluable advice and assistance during legal procedures and steer you away from potential fraud. To start exploring opportunities in the region, contact Nomad Capitalist.

Secure Residency in South America With Nomad Capitalist

Nomad Capitalist is an advisory firm that specializes in global mobility and wealth preservation. We’ve helped more than 1,500 clients protect their long-term financial and lifestyle interests by obtaining residency in foreign countries, legally reducing their tax exposure, and taking advantage of investment opportunities abroad. 

Our core service is the Action Plan, a detailed guide to your wealth strategy and global lifestyle goals. Built around your unique circumstances, the Plan provides a clear, step-by-step blueprint to help you achieve your objectives. 

Here’s what partnering with Nomad Capitalist on an Action Plan looks like: 

1. We ask you to fill out a form to help us determine whether we’re a good match
2. We schedule a 45-minute onboarding call to learn more about your situation and desires
3. Our agents create an Action Plan and present it to you for approval
4. We implement the Plan over 12 months, managing the administrative parts
5. You continue receiving support from us even after the Plan is implemented

If you’re looking for ways to secure regional mobility or invest in South American countries, Nomad Capitalist can help you explore residency and business opportunities. We can assist in choosing a country for a regional base and manage the process of obtaining residency for you. To get started with your South American mobility plan, contact Nomad Capitalist today!