Safest cities in Chile
22 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in ChileTerrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Chile.
Political situation
- There is a risk of violent protest in Santiago and other Chilean cities, particularly on Friday afternoons and evenings.
Crime
- Taxi scams at Santiago AirportMany foreign visitors have been scammed for large amounts of money by unlicensed taxi drivers, including in airport taxis. Well-known taxi companies can be booked via ridesharing apps. Only book and pay for official taxis from inside the airport before exiting the building.
- Protecting your belongingsKeep your valuables and passport somewhere secure, such as in a hotel safe. Bags hanging on chairs or mobile phones on tables can be targeted by thieves, who may use distraction techniques or work in pairs. Take particular care:
- Violent theft (muggings)Muggings happen frequently, especially in Santiago and Valparaiso, and increasingly with weapons such as guns and knives. Muggings can take place during the day and in plain sight of others. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly in tourist areas or near official buildings. Muggers will target:
- Vehicle crimeThere has been an increase in criminals:
- Drink spikingPeople have been given ‘spiked’ drinks in nightclubs and bars, particularly in the Suecia and Bellavista areas of Santiago. These incidents leave victims open to theft or assault. Keep your drinks in sight and be wary of people offering to buy drinks for you.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry a printed copy of the photo page of your passport with you.
- Alcohol laws and bansIt’s illegal to drink alcohol in public places including streets, roads, squares and promenades.
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesUsing or possessing drugs is illegal and can lead to prison sentences.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex relationships are legal in Chile and are increasingly widely accepted socially, although much of Chilean society is conservative.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- Fires in national parksOpen fires are illegal in national parks in Chile, outside permitted camping areas. Local authorities may revoke your tourist permit if you’re caught starting a fire in a Chilean national park. You may be asked to leave the country voluntarily within 72 hours or face deportation. If your open fire starts a larger forest fire, you may also face…
- Hiking and mountaineeringIf you’re planning to go exploring or mountaineering, tell the local authorities before you set off. For further information on mountaineering, contact the Federación de Andinismo de Chile. For any other type of exploring, contact the Chilean Embassy in London to see if you need a permit. The rescue services in Chile are good, but you may have to…
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive a hire car or a UK vehicle, see information on driving abroad.
- Driving conditionsMain roads in Chile are surfaced, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle in the countryside. Be prepared for a range of driving conditions, from snow and ice to hot sandy deserts. Between June and September, winter weather sometimes temporarily closes the Chile-Argentina border crossing high in the Andes, including the main Los Libertadores…
Landmines
- Landmine accidents mainly affect livestock and local people crossing borders at unauthorised points. Most minefields are near the borders with Peru and Bolivia in the extreme north of Chile (regions XV, I and II) and Argentina in the south (region XII). Although most minefields are clearly marked, some signs and fences are old and damaged and may…
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- Heavy rain and floodingWhen necessary, the Chilean National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) issues warnings for heavy rain which may impact travel plans. Road conditions may be hazardous, with increased risk of delays and accidents. If you travel, plan your journey carefully and allow extra time. Follow local news, weather updates and the…
- Forest firesChile often has severe forest fires which can be very destructive and spread rapidly. These fires have caused multiple deaths, as well as sometimes causing the closure of national parks and roads.
- EarthquakesMajor earthquakes are a risk in Chile. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Take note of instructions in hotel rooms.
- Volcanic eruptionsA chain of volcanoes is active in the Puyehue and Los Lagos region (500 miles south of Santiago). There is a continuing risk of eruptions in Chaiten in southern Chile, Llaima in the Conguillo National Park and Lascar in northern Chile. Copahue, a volcano on the Argentina-Chile border, erupts periodically, causing local residents to be evacuated.…
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Chile, updated 2026-08-18 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 6.11 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 43.02024
- Human development
- HDI 0.8782023
- Income
- $35,730/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 14.9 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 68/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 69/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 63/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.74GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 23.1 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 98%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 3.3 doctors /1k1.9 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 9.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Tsunami
- 8.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 5.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Chile (as of 2025).
How Chile compares
| Measure | Chile | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 6.1 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +3.7 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 43.0 | 35.2 | +7.8 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.878 | 0.763 | +0.115 — better for Chile |
| Road deaths | 14.9 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −0.5 /100k — better for Chile |
| Rule of law | 69/100 | 52/100 | +17/100 — better for Chile |
| Corruption perceptions | 63/100 | 39/100 | +24/100 — better for Chile |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 23.1 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +3.4 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.1/10 | 3.8/10 | −0.7/10 — better for Chile |
| Measure | Chile | South America median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 6.1 /100k | 11 /100k | −5.2 /100k — better for Chile |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 43.0 | 44.2 | −1.2 — better for Chile |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.878 | 0.777 | +0.101 — better for Chile |
| Road deaths | 14.9 /100k | 16.0 /100k | −1.1 /100k — better for Chile |
| Rule of law | 69/100 | 48/100 | +21/100 — better for Chile |
| Corruption perceptions | 63/100 | 35/100 | +28/100 — better for Chile |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 23.1 µg/m³ | 16.9 µg/m³ | +6.2 µg/m³ — better for South America median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.1/10 | 4.7/10 | −1.6/10 — better for Chile |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 22 cities, safest first
- Puerto Montt67.5 · #3760 worldwide
- Temuco67.0 · #3778 worldwide
- Talca65.9 · #3852 worldwide
- La Serena63.7 · #4085 worldwide
- Chillán62.0 · #4271 worldwide
- Copiapó62.0 · #4272 worldwide
- Valdivia62.0 · #4273 worldwide
- Osorno62.0 · #4274 worldwide
- Calama62.0 · #4275 worldwide
- San Antonio62.0 · #4276 worldwide
- Los Ángeles62.0 · #4277 worldwide
- Punta Arenas62.0 · #4278 worldwide
- Curicó62.0 · #4279 worldwide
- Concepción61.8 · #4291 worldwide
- Chiguayante61.8 · #4292 worldwide
- Coronel61.8 · #4293 worldwide
- Santiago61.5 · #4330 worldwide
- Iquique60.6 · #4376 worldwide
- Rancagua60.4 · #4406 worldwide
- Valparaíso60.2 · #4418 worldwide
- Antofagasta59.9 · #4455 worldwide
- Arica58.5 · #4563 worldwide