South American cities aren’t all dangerous like the news wants you to believe. You scroll through travel warnings and crime reports that make the whole continent sound like a war zone. Your friends shake their heads when you mention visiting. “Too risky,” they say.
South American cities are so safe that locals don’t even lock their doors at night. Kids play in the streets until dark. Tourists walk around with cameras hanging from their necks without worry.
These aren’t tiny villages in the middle of nowhere. We’re talking about real cities with restaurants, shops, and normal life. Places where the biggest crime might be someone forgetting to pay for their coffee.
You don’t have to skip South America because of fear. These 14 cities prove that safety and adventure can go hand in hand. Some might surprise you with just how peaceful daily life really is.
14 South American Cities So Ridiculously Safe, Locals Actually Leave Their Doors Wide Open
#1. Ushuaia: Where Crime Goes to Die
Ushuaia is Argentina’s safest city and “a rarity in South America” because “the windows don’t have bars on them”. Think about that. In most South American cities, every window has metal bars. Not here.
Crime is extremely low in Ushuaia, with petty crimes being rare. The biggest danger? Getting cold. This city sits at the bottom of the world, where your main worry is packing enough warm clothes.
#2. Bariloche: Europe in South America
Bariloche is described as “super safe” with crime being “very low”. Locals and visitors walk alone at night here. It’s “perfectly fine to walk alone at night here, something I wouldn’t recommend in 90% of Latin American cities”.
The city looks like Switzerland. Alpine buildings, chocolate shops, and crystal-clear lakes. The main dangers are “cold weather and mountainous terrain. Not crime”.
#3. Mendoza: Wine Country Without Worry
Mendoza sits in Argentina’s wine region. It’s noted as “one of my favourite cities in the world” by safety experts who say “you don’t have to worry about crime in Mendoza”.
The streets are lined with trees and parks. Your biggest risk? Falling into the irrigation ditches after too much wine tasting. Even the locals joke about this being the main “danger.”
#4. Montevideo: The Capital That Actually Works
Montevideo is described as “just about the safest capital city in South America”. Walk the streets at 2 AM and you’ll see families strolling home from dinner. Old ladies walk their dogs alone after dark.
The homicide rate tells the story. At around 8 per 100,000 people, it’s lower than cities like New Orleans or Baltimore. The biggest “crime” you’ll face? Getting overcharged for a taxi because you look like a tourist.
#5. Colonia del Sacramento: Where Time Stands Still
This tiny border town feels like a movie set. It has “almost nothing to worry about here” according to safety experts. Cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and zero crime to speak of.
You can walk everywhere. Leave your stuff on a cafe table while you use the bathroom. People here still do that. It’s that safe.
#6. Punta del Este: Beach Safety Done Right
Think Miami Beach, but without the crime reports. Punta del Este attracts wealthy South Americans who demand safety. And they get it.
Police patrol the beaches. Hotels have good security. The worst thing that happens? Sunburn from falling asleep on the sand.
#7. Santiago: The Capital That Figured It Out
Santiago feels like a European city that moved to South America. Clean streets, working public transport, and police who actually help tourists.
Chile has “tourism police departments that specialize in helping tourists” in major destinations. Real cops whose job is making sure visitors stay safe. They speak English and know the common scams.
The metro runs on time. ATMs work properly. You can drink the tap water. These basics matter more than you think for staying safe.
#8. Valparaíso: Colorful and Secure
This port city climbs up hillsides in rainbow colors. Street art covers every wall. It looks bohemian and wild, but it’s actually quite safe.
Locals look out for tourists here. The economy depends on visitors, so everyone has skin in the game. Mess with tourists, and the whole neighborhood suffers.
#9. La Serena: Desert Coast Safety
Desert meets ocean in La Serena. Clear skies, good beaches, and almost no crime. The Atacama Desert starts nearby, but the city stays green and pleasant.
#10. Asunción: The Quiet Capital
This capital city moves at a slower pace than other South American cities. Street crime stays rare. Violent crime? Almost unheard of. The U.S. State Department gives Paraguay a Level 1 travel advisory – the same rating as Canada or Denmark.
You can walk around downtown Asunción at night. Families eat dinner at outdoor restaurants until late. Kids play in parks after dark. This tells you everything about how safe locals feel.
#11. Encarnación: Beach Town Safety
Encarnación sits on the Paraná River with actual beaches. Sandy shores, warm water, and almost zero crime. Think small-town America, but with better weather and cheaper beer.
The city rebuilt itself after flooding years ago. New infrastructure, clean streets, and a government that actually cares about keeping things nice. Tourism brings money, so everyone protects visitors.
#12. Chile: Global Peace Index
South America’s fourth safest country, having dropped three places since 2022, again in 2023, and remaining in the same position as in 2024.
It is another place that has experienced a travel boom over the past few years, particularly now that the protests that gripped this country from 2019 through the start of 2020 have calmed down.
Chile’s mesmerizing landscapes range from desert plateaus to glacier-speckled mountain ranges, and is my favorite part of South America living there for over three years.
What Makes These Cities So Safe
You’re probably wondering: how do these places stay so safe when other South American cities struggle?. The answer isn’t luck. It’s a combination of smart choices and lucky geography.
Money Matters More Than You Think
Economic stability correlates directly with lower crime rates. When people have jobs, they don’t rob tourists. When families can afford food, kids don’t join gangs.
Countries like Chile and Uruguay invested in their economies. They created jobs beyond just farming or mining. Middle classes grew. Crime dropped.
Argentina’s Patagonian cities benefit from tourism money. Hotels, restaurants, and tour companies employ locals. Everyone has a reason to keep visitors safe and happy.
Police Who Actually Police
These safe cities have something rare in South America: police who do their jobs. Countries like Chile have “tourism police departments that specialize in helping tourists” in major destinations.
Training makes the difference. Professional cops solve problems instead of creating them. They speak English, know common scams, and actually want to help.
Geography Helps
Many of these safe cities sit far from major drug routes. Ushuaia and Bariloche are thousands of miles from cocaine trafficking. Hard to have drug violence when there are no drugs.
Small populations help too. In cities with millions of people, criminals hide easily. In places like Colonia del Sacramento, everyone knows everyone. Crime gets noticed and stopped quickly.
Government Investment
Smart governments realize that safe cities make money. Tourism dollars flow to places where visitors feel secure. So they invest in street lighting, police patrols, and clean public spaces.
Chile upgraded infrastructure for events like hosting international summits. Uruguay modernized its ports and airports. These improvements help everyone, not just tourists.
The Bottom Line
Safe cities aren’t accidents. They result from economic stability, professional policing, good geography, and smart government choices. These South American cities cracked the code that many others still struggle with.
FAQs
Are these South American cities really as safe as European cities?
Yes, some are. Argentina ranks as the safest country in South America according to 2024 data, and cities like Ushuaia and Bariloche have crime rates comparable to many European destinations.
Can women travel alone safely in these cities?
Yes, but use normal precautions. In Ushuaia, “crimes against women who call Ushuaia home are already almost non-existent” and “even women traveling solo should not be worried”.You should stay alert in dark.
How do these cities compare to unsafe parts of South America?
The difference is huge. While cities like Caracas, Venezuela have crime indices over 80, the safest South American cities have crime rates similar to suburban America or rural Europe. Countries like Paraguay earn Level 1 travel advisories from the U.S. State Department the same as Canada.