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Rich in culture, home to amazing nature reserves and where some of the best cuisine in the world can be found, South America is a great destination to explore. In light of the economic downturn, social problems, poverty and a high crime rate still beset parts of the continent, prompting travelers to wonder: What are the safest South American countries to visit in 2023?
Safety is one of the top concerns for Americans who go abroad, especially when they are unfamiliar with local customs and cannot speak the language, and they become more vulnerable to scams and theft. Their fears are unfounded: petty crime and violence have become a widespread issue in tourist hotspots, no matter the destination.
South America is no exception, and while there are, contrary to popular belief, a bad apple or two, It is much safer than it is usually attributed to:
3 countries in South America are ranked among the safest countries in the world
First of all, what is the definition of a safe destination? In order to establish a reliable safety parameter, we compiled available up-to-date data from guidance issued by the US Department of State, the leading authority in the United States when it comes to risk assessment and travel advice applicable to all international destinations.
In short, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Classifies countries from “tiers” 1 to 4Level 1 includes locations that pose the least possible danger and are therefore safer to visit, becoming more dangerous as levels increase between 2 and 4. At Level 4, travel due to serious threat to life or disruptive events, such as mass demonstrations or civil unrest, is strongly discouraged.
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It may come as a surprise to some – after all, the Global South has a reputation for being a hotbed of corruption and crime – however Only one sovereign state in the entire region It has been added to Tier 4. All other countries are at Tier 3 or lower, with 3 in particular earning the coveted Tier 1, as seen below:
Tier 1 destinations in South America
- Argentina
- Paraguay
- Suriname
overcome all odds, Argentina is one of the safest countries to visit In South America, despite political volatility and low economic development, there are two factors associated with increasing inequality and urban issues. Fortunately, organized crime tends to be restrained and cities like Buenos Aires and Cordoba stand among the least dangerous in the South.
to me Crime InsightAnd Argentina ‘doesn’t seem to have many local crime syndicates’However, in contrast to other countries in the broader Latin American world such as Mexico or Guatemala, local crime rates seem to indicate that violence occurs on a “relatively” small scale, often on the outskirts of large metro areas.
Argentina is too Incredibly popular among budget travelers Coming from North America because of the convenient currency exchange rate effectively “double” their cash back. Likewise, both Paraguay and Suriname, which are largely overlooked by visitors, are considered safe countries to visit, with the exception of certain provinces.
In Suriname there are no areas where additional safety advice is given. However, in Paraguay, there are four countries that are at increased risk of crime, namely:
- Amambay
- Alto Parana
- Canindio
- San Pedro neighborhood
- Concepcion
What about the rest of South America?
A total of five South American countries have been added to the Tier 2 list: here, travel is not recommended, however “Increased caution” is necessary. Basically, this generally means maintaining a heightened awareness of frustration in crowded areas, avoiding walking alone in dimly lit streets at night, and restricting movement to tourist sites and/or central areas.
Even then, the majority of hits are achieved Completely hassle free:
Tier 2 destinations in South America
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Uruguay
move to level 3, One level lower than the restricted areaTravel should be “reconsidered”. This has been the case recently with Peru, where political instability has led to violent protests in recent months, including the storming of the largest international airport, and the declaration of a state of emergency that has severely limited travel through the territory.
On the northern edge of South America, Colombia may not be experiencing social unrest right now, but it is he It is slowly losing its status as a tourism friendly hub. In 2022, 24 tourists were killed while on vacation in the country, with the sprawling cities of Medellín and Bogotá seeing the largest increase in violent and drug crime in recent months:
Level 3 destinations in South America
Venezuela is the only Tier 4 destination in South America
Finally, Venezuela is the only South American country included in Tier 4. The US State Department urges US citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to several reports of:
- a crime
- civil disorder
- Poor health infrastructure
- Kidnapping risks
- Detention of US citizens without due process or due process
- terrorism
The country was once thriving, and Venezuela’s growth has stalled in the past decade after ambitious dictator Nicolás Maduro came to power. I continued The democratic decline in the United States led to the severing of diplomatic relations As the country returns in 2019, ‘until a further notice’. Naturally, this move severely curtailed consular assistance to Americans inside Venezuela.
If you’re heading away this year, don’t forget to check out the 16 safest countries in Africa, and the record 28th in Europe.
Traveler alert: Don’t forget travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com