I’m not normally one to pay much attention to a country’s safety ratings before venturing out. And when I arrived in Chile, I hadn’t done much research about crime and safety. After spending over a year there and experiencing several different areas in and outside of Santiago, I’ve gleaned several takeaways about the crime and safety levels. Read on if you’re traveling to Chile soon and curious about how safe (or not) it can be.
Is Chile Generally Safe?
From personal experience, I’ve found Chile to be generally safe when you follow standard safety tips. For example, I never walk alone at night unless it’s a lively street or a well-lit, busy area. I always pay attention to who’s around me and where my valuables are. Normally, when I take a long Uber or Didi ride, a friend has my location or knows where I’m going. I follow these general rules in every country, including my own (the U.S.).
One of the things that appealed to me about Chile was that I heard over and over that it’s one of the safest, if not THE safest, countries in South America. While I’ve heard stories of people bribing the police to get away with simple or more complicated crimes, I’ve heard the opposite in Chile. Attempting to bribe a police officer is more likely to make your legal situation even more serious—you’d be getting yourself into even more trouble. Luckily, I haven’t ever had to test that for myself.
I’ve found Chile’s reputation as a stable, relatively safe country to be true. In over a year, I’ve never been the victim of a crime of any kind. However, I’ve had a handful of friends during this period experience theft in Santiago. One had a bike stolen while she was with it; three had their phones pickpocketed on the metro; one was robbed while walking alone at night in an unsafe area. Like any big city, Santiago has crime, but you can avoid it by taking precautions.
Types of Crime in Chile & My Experiences
Upon arrival in Chile, I decided to stay near the city center, thinking it would be nice to live near what I thought was like a typical “downtown” in other big cities: next to the action, to city events, to the most museums and attractions, etc. However, I learned on the first day that Santiago’s city center is one of the more dangerous areas in the Metropolitan Region, and it isn’t recommended for tourists to stay there.
You can’t walk around with your phone out in the city center; you can’t relax and take a call without running the risk of having your phone snatched away. There are other cases of petty theft or break-ins. I never walked at night there because I didn’t want to run any risks.
That said, if you decide to stay in the city center for an extended period of time, you can see all the sights you want and experience life there relatively safely. Just be careful with your belongings! Preferably, you can go with a local guide for additional safety, especially if you’re alone and unfamiliar with the city.
All of the English-speaking expats I know, for reference, live in the generally safer comunas: Vitacura, Las Condes, Providencia, or Ñuñoa. I’ll still see occasional news reports of auto theft or home break-ins in some of those areas, but the crime levels are measurably lower there. Personally, I feel ten times more comfortable hanging out in Parque Bicentenario in Vitacura than in Parque Bustamante or Forestal, for example, which are closer to the city center.
Areas Where Expats & Travelers Should Be Extra Cautious
Touring the city center of Santiago can be safe and enjoyable; just take extra caution with your phone and other valuables. Most travelers or tourists wouldn’t think to go to other comunas in Santiago that are less safe, such as Lo Espejo, La Pintana, or Cerro Navia. The less friendly areas may not even be well connected to where most tourists stay, and there isn’t a real reason to go there or pass through.
And remember, even in the areas known to be the safest, like Vitacura and Las Condes, it’s still best practice to lock your doors, be aware of your surroundings, and be careful with valuable items. Crime is generally rarer the farther east you go from the city center, but don’t leave your basic safety practices behind!.
We’ve mostly been talking about Santiago, but what about other regions in Chile? Speaking from experience, I felt very safe in cities and towns, and on roads in northern Patagonia and Pucon. In southern Chile, it’s safe, and I found strangers to be friendly, helpful, and kind.
How Safe Is Chile for Solo Travelers & Women?
How have I been faring as a female solo traveler in Chile? I’ve taken solo trips to a few cities along the coast, always in a rental car, and have felt comfortable, with zero incidents. But again, I’m always vigilant, and I always make sure someone has my location and knows my plans.
On the way back from one trip to the charming coastal town of Los Molles, where I went scuba diving, I stopped to fill up at a gas station. The attendant filling my gas tank expressed concern about my traveling alone with the car. He seemed more concerned about the car. And it’s true that when you have a rental in a big city like Santiago, car theft could be a problem in the less-safe areas.
For that reason, the advice I followed was to never leave the car parked on the street (always park in a parking garage or underneath your building in a secure location). If you’re walking around the city center, or in nearby areas like Bella Vista, Parque Bustamente, or Barrio Italia, you might notice security cables on side mirrors to prevent theft of those mirrors.
Save These Emergency Numbers & Know Your Resources
Before you go to Chile, it’s helpful to understand what you can do if something does happen. First things first: What number do you call? When I arrived, I saved these numbers in my phone:
Police (Carabineros): 133
Fire Department (Bomberos): 132
Ambulance (SAMU): 131
If you do happen to experience a petty theft or another crime, you can call one of those numbers. It’s best practice to always report a crime that happens, even if it seems unhelpful. You can go to a police station, even as a tourist, and file a report. I haven’t heard many success stories with that, but I had a friend report his stolen vehicle, and the police force actually recovered his vehicle after a few days.
All in all, it helps to know the emergency numbers. If you’re anything like me, you feel more comfortable having an idea of what to do or where to go if something happens. Feel more assured by knowing the location of the nearest police station, just in case.
Final Thoughts: Is Chile Safe?
Hopefully, and most likely, nothing malicious will happen when you visit Chile—especially if you’re only passing through Santiago as a connection point to the Atacama Desert or Patagonia or a coastal city. Just remember, when you’re in bigger cities, be careful with yourself and your valuables. Avoid using your phone in the city center of Santiago, and watch your belongings in crowded places. With these general safety practices, you’re sure to enjoy your time in Chile to the fullest.
