Safest Countries in Latin America
What are the safest countries in Latin America? Keep reading for an overview of the safest places to travel.
Latin America is one of my favorite regions for traveling. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. As a solo female traveler, I’ve spent a lot of time in this part of the world, including many months spent traveling around countries that a lot of people perceive as “dangerous.” But is that really the truth?
In my experience, it’s possible to travel to almost every country in Latin America safely. Sure, there are certain places you shouldn’t go within a country, and you should always stay vigilant and follow common sense safety precautions, but I wouldn’t rule out any country in Latin America completely.
Of course, it’s true that some countries are safer than others.
I want to note that although I’m sharing the safest countries in Latin America below, that doesn’t mean that other countries in Latin America are unsafe to travel to. I’ve spent many months traveling in Latin America and there’s never been a time where I’ve felt like I was in danger or had a bad experience.
It’s important to exercise caution wherever you go, but don’t be put off by the other countries in Latin America that didn’t make the cut for this list. They are worth visiting too, and can be visited safely!
What Is Latin America?
For the purpose of this guide, Latin America refers to all of Central America (including Mexico) and all of South America. There are twenty countries in Latin America, and most are Spanish-speaking.
I have traveled extensively throughout Latin America, spending multiple months in some countries.
The eight countries that make up Central America are Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. The twelve countries that make up South America are Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname.
How Did I Determine This Ranking?
I utilized the Global Peace Index to determine this ranking of the safest countries in Latin America.
Every year, the index is updated to reflect the current rankings of the safest countries in the world based on more than twenty factors including societal safety, security, stability, crime, conflict, and so on.
I’ve also personally traveled to every country below, and I would agree that they all feel safe. Again, that doesn’t mean that you can’t travel safely to other countries in Latin America too.
But if you’re looking for the safest countries, these are the ones to check out!
1. Argentina
Argentina consistently ranks at the top when it comes to the safest countries in Latin America.
It’s the second-largest country in South America and it’s packed with diverse natural beauty, from the breathtaking peaks of Patagonia to the impressive cascades of water at Iguazu Falls to the unique, austere landscapes of Jujuy. Argentina is also a great destination if you love cities.
Buenos Aires is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s so dynamic and vibrant. You can visit world-class museums, catch a tango show, or enjoy a late-night dinner of steak and wine.
There’s truly something for everyone in Argentina, and the fact that it’s the safest country in Latin America is just icing on the cake. This is a bucket list destination in Latin America for sure.
2. Uruguay
Uruguay is another one of the safest countries in Latin America. As the wealthiest country in South America, Uruguay enjoys a high level of safety, security, and stability, as well as a good quality of life.
I have to admit, Uruguay isn’t the most exciting destination in South America. It’s fairly small and lacks the stunning beauty and dramatic landscapes of some other places around the continent.
That being said, it’s definitely still worth visiting Uruguay. From Buenos Aires, it’s less than 1.5 hours by ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, a charming colonial town in Uruguay. From there, you can continue on to the capital city Montevideo, and then check out the seaside city of Punta del Este.
One thing you should also know about Uruguay is that it’s by far the most expensive country in South America for travelers, which is another reason you might want to limit your time there.
3. Costa Rica
Leaving South America, we head up to Central America for the next entry on this list. Costa Rica is the number one safest country in Central America and among the safest overall in Latin America.
Unlike its neighbors, Costa Rica hasn’t had any recent turmoil or conflicts. In fact, the country abolished its military in 1949! One of the reasons that Costa Rica is so safe is because it’s an extremely popular tourist destination. This has led to more infrastructure and development than neighboring countries.
Some of the best destinations to visit in Costa Rica include the beaches of Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast, the cloud forest of Monteverde, and the lush rainforests of La Fortuna.
Being a popular tourist destination, Costa Rica is definitely the most expensive country in Central America. I would say that prices here rival those of Uruguay, so it’s not great for budget travelers. However, if you’re looking for luxury within reach, you can find tons of amazing hotels and resorts in Costa Rica.
4. Chile
Back to South America, Chile is the next safest country on this list. Chile is long and skinny, stretching a whopping 2,672 miles from north to south, but with an average width of just 112 miles.
The country is full of diverse landscapes, from the stark beauty of the Atacama Desert in the north to the mountains of Patagonia in the south. Santiago is a cool, modern city that’s also worth visiting.
Chile is very safe, and it’s also one of the more developed and wealthy countries in South America (after Uruguay.) Because of this, prices in Chile are higher than they are in neighboring countries.
5. Bolivia
Bolivia is an amazing destination in South America for adventure lovers. From exploring the otherworldly landscapes of the Uyuni Salt Flats to cycling the infamous Death Road to exploring the sprawling Witches’ Market in La Paz, there is no shortage of adventures to be had on a trip to Bolivia.
Although Bolivia is pretty safe, this is definitely a more challenging destination in South America.
It’s the poorest country on the continent, and things can feel a little more rough around the edges. However, this landlocked country is one that is well worth a visit on a trip to South America.
It’s also one of the cheapest countries in South America, making it ideal for budget travelers.
6. Paraguay
Next up on this list, we have another South American country — Paraguay.
Like its neighbor Bolivia, Paraguay is also a landlocked nation. And after Bolivia, Paraguay is the second-poorest country in South America. Still, it enjoys a relatively high level of safety and security.
Although I have to be honest, there isn’t much to do in Paraguay.
It lacks the jaw-dropping beauty and popular tourist attractions of neighboring countries. Even Monday Falls, one of the best sights in Paraguay, is overshadowed by the incredible Iguazu Falls shared between Argentina and Brazil, which is located less than 1.5 hours away. So many travelers skip Paraguay entirely.
I still think Paraguay is worth visiting if you’re into underrated destinations, though.
7. Panama
Finally, Panama rounds out this ranking of the safest countries in Latin America.
After Costa Rica, Panama is the safest country in Central America. Panama boasts a diverse array of beauty from tropical beaches to coffee-growing highlands to manmade wonders like the Panama Canal.
The capital, Panama City, is a thriving metropolis that’s a mixture of old and new: from the cobblestoned streets of the historic Casco Viejo, you can see the gleaming modern skyscrapers of the city.
Overall, Panama is a safe destination rounding out this list of the safest Latin American countries.
Safest Countries in Latin America
These are the safest countries in Latin America for travelers. If you’re looking for amazing destinations where you don’t have to worry about safety, my top picks would be Argentina and Costa Rica.
In case you’re curious about the least safe countries in Latin America, they would be:
- Colombia
- Venezuela
- Mexico
- Ecuador
- Honduras
However, with the exception of Venezuela, which has a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning from the US State Department, you can safely visit all of these “dangerous” countries — I’ve done it with no issues!
These rankings are also based on the Global Peace Index but they don’t tell the full story. For example, I didn’t feel any less safe in Ecuador than I did elsewhere in South America, even though it’s technically one of the least safe countries in Latin America according to this particular methodology.
Again, it’s important to be cautious and use common sense wherever you go, but it’s possible to travel safely (even as a solo female traveler like myself) throughout all of Latin America.
Related Guides:
- 11 Countries Where Americans Can Stay the Longest Without a Visa
- 7 Best Countries to Learn Spanish
- 7 Cheapest Countries to Visit in Central America
- 9 Cheapest Countries to Visit in South America
- Do You Need to Speak Spanish to Travel in Latin America?
- 12 Things to Know Before Backpacking Central America
- Travel Mishaps in South America (Mistakes I Made & How to Avoid Them!)
