South America is an incredible continent to travel, there are world-famous cities, tourist attractions, beaches, rainforest, exotic wildlife and so much more.
Planning a trip to South America and can be very daunting though due to the size of the continent, the language difference and also due to the crime rates in some destinations.
If you are thinking about going to travel in South America there are lots of ways where you can help increase your chances of staying safe.
Is South America Safe to Travel?
Is South America dangerous? Some areas yes, but thousands of people travel in this continent every year and very few foreigners encounter any problems. But this region of the world does have more risk compared to other continents like Europe and Oceania. There are good and bad parts of most countries, not just in South America, and by following some simple tips you can ensure you have a safe and enjoying experience.
What is the Safest Country in South America?
Chile consistently ranks as one of the top 30 safest countries in the world, with low levels of crime compared to others in the region.
Which Countries in South America are Not Safe?
Some of the most dangerous countries in South America where extra caution is advised include Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Paraguay and Bolivia. These countries have the highest number of places to avoid in South America.
South America Travel Safety Advice
View recommendations for travellers on how you can lesser your chances of becoming a victim of crime.
Buy Travel Insurance
Purchasing a travel insurance policy is one of the most important things you can do when travelling. Although it can seem like an added cost especially if you are going backpacking for months for example, it will really act as a backup incase anything bad was to happen. Lost/stolen luggage, cancelled flights, theft or medical emergencies will likely be covered depending on the policy you choose.
Arrange an Airport Pick Up
If you are flying to a new country after a long haul flight we recommend arranging a taxi pickup prior to departing. Although this is usually more expensive than getting public transport, it is a great way to get guided to your accommodation. If you don’t pre book, avoid getting unlicensed taxis from random people offering you lifts at airports and be sure to only get official taxis. Most airports usually have official taxi ranks to get these.
Buy a Local Sim Card
Having access to the internet can really help make travelling easier, you’ll be able to use maps and translations apps for starters. Also if you have any problems like getting lost you can just log on and find out more information quickly.
Taxi Apps
Uber and similar services operate in South American countries which offer a reliable way to get around. If you have access to the internet you can
Pre Book Accommodation
Wandering around, especially if it is late at night with lots of luggage and not having anywhere to stay can be a nightmare and make you stand out. It is always better to have somewhere pre booked and then you have an idea of where you need to go. Be sure to read reviews of places to stay too so you can make sure it is recommended by other travellers.
Research Your Destination
No matter where you are planning to travel, its always good to improve your knowledge before arriving. You’ll need to know important things like currency, weather, things to do and more. You can also check for any safety warnings and read travel guides and forums. We have put together some handy guides with things to know before going to Colombia and also tips for visiting Brazil – two of the most popular destinations on the continent.
Learn the Local Languages
Almost every country in South America has Spanish as the official language, other than Brazil where Portuguese is spoken and Guyana where English if the official language. If you don’t already know any Spanish or Portuguese and it is recommended to start learning them in advance of your departure. You might struggle to find people who speak English even in the popular tourist hotspots and so knowing at least the basics of the languages will really help make travelling in South America easier. It will also help if you encounter any problems and conversing with local people in their own language is also a lot of fun. Check out our important Spanish for tourists or basic Portuguese phrases to make a start today.
Stick to the Tourist Areas
Although going off the beaten track can be exhilarating, this can also increase your chances of being a victim of crime. For example if you are planning to visit Brazil, especially in a city like Rio de Janeiro which has lots of favelas, you might think it is a an idea to go into the favelas to see what they are like. Even the idea of trying to get that iconic favela photo because they’re probably very different to where you’ve been before might feel appealing, but by doing this you will increase possibilities of potentially getting robbed. Most cities and locations have tourism areas where there are usually more police and lower crime rates.
Learn About Potential Scams
Its always good to read about any potential scams and hazards to watch out for before going to a country, this way you might be able to know when someone is trying to rip you off. Other travellers are also a good source of knowledge to learn about any issues other people have faced. Also always agree prices before, for taxis, services and accommodation, this will avoid any confusion and help you not to get ripped off.
Group Activities
Doing things with other people is always a lot safer than just going somewhere by yourself. Safety is numbers, especially somewhere new or with high crime rates/poverty. There are lots of things you can do when travelling like tours, sightseeing excursions, volunteer abroad programs, language classes, surf lessons, yoga, sports and more.
Tours
Travelling solo or independently has lots of advantages, you can literally go and do what you want when you want. But this also has lots of disadvantages and it can be quite a challenge to organise, plan and actually do a trip this way. There are so many benefits of tours and lots of local and international companies offer small group trips of South America where you can travel with other people, get taken to the best places, and have a guide to help you along the way. This is one of the safest ways to travel in South America, especially if you plan on going solo, are a female traveller, or if you don’t speak other languages. View our guide to the best tour operators for 18 – 30 year olds.
Stay in Hostels
Hostels are a great way to socialise and meet other people, and even if you don’t want to stay in the dorm room, a lot of hostels offer private rooms. Hostels can be a fun way to meet make friends from all over the world, usually you’ll meet likeminded people who are interested in travelling too so you might find people to do fun things with.
Be Wary of Other Travellers
Most people want to travel the world, have fun and enjoy the experience of meeting others. Some people you meet might become life long friends but sometimes crime can be committed by other travellers, like theft and assault. Always keep an eye on your belongings especially in hostel dorms.
Listen to Advice
Other travellers and local people a great fountain of knowledge who will be able to share advice with you. Always ask staff at accommodation what they do/don’t recommended, and listen to what they have to say. If they say an area is bad, just don’t go.
Avoid Late Night Arrivals
Arriving in a foreign destination late at night can be a little scary, usually it is very dark, your surroundings are totally new and confusing especially when there are usually less people around. It is a totally different experience to arriving somewhere early in the morning or afternoon. You could plan your transport and trips to arrive early in the day, this will be safer.
Don’t Flash Valuables
You might have a brand new camera or phone and want to take pictures, but always be aware of your surroundings. Sometimes your phone can be worth more than the average monthly salary in your destination. Some simple tips including don’t try to carry too much cash on you at any one time, and also if you are travelling with a bank card, its a good idea not to keep all your savings on one card.
Avoid Drugs & Drinking Excessively
Being in a new foreign environment and not being 100% in your own senses is never a good idea, this increases your chances of something bad happening. Always keep an eye on your drinks too, to avoid anyone slipping anything in. If you are caught with illegal drugs you can face long prison sentences depending on your destination, it really isn’t worth the risk.
Make Backups of Documents
Be sure to keep photo copies of important things like your passport, visa, travel insurance etc.
Inform Friends and Family
Be sure to tell your friends or family what your itinerary is, just incase anything happens, they will have a bit of an idea where exactly you are.
Trust Your Instinct
Sometimes it can be good to trust your feelings when it comes to a people and a location. If you don’t feel comfortable around someone, or in a certain place, for example, an accommodation or city, then try to go somewhere else.
South America is a really special continent to visit and most travellers experience very few issues. Hopefully our tips have given you some ideas for how to make the most of the experience in the safest way possible.
