Is it safe to travel in Patagonia?
Chile is considered the safest country in Latin America. Chile's Patagonia and Argentine’s Patagonia are among the safest areas of South America.
The Patagonian region has a below-average world crime rate and is the safest region within Chile and Argentina.
Patagonia & global peace index
The Global Peace Index (GPI) measures the relative position of a nation’s safety and security. Twenty-three indicators are assessed as a way to quantify the safety and peacefulness of each nation.
The GPI ranks 172 independent nations and territories:
Chile = 27th
Argentina = 75th
Other countries for comparison:
Iceland = 1st
New Zealand = 2nd
USA = 128th
Carretera Austral or Route 7 in Chile’s Patagonia
Rest of South America’s GPI rankings:
South America Country By Safety Ranking
United Nations, GPI & Chile
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that Chile has the lowest homicide rate in South America.
Chile is the only country in Latin America that ranks in the top 30 of the Global Peace Index (GPI).
Costa Rica, which has a GPI ranking of 33rd, is the only country in Central & South America that approaches the level of safety and security of Chile (27th).
Volcano Osorno in Chile’s Patagonia
“It (Chile) has strong and independent institutions, low corruption, and the judicial system is largely not plagued by inefficiency”
Ushuaia - southernmost city in Argentina’s Patagonia
US State Dept & Argentina
The United States Department of State says that “street crime is a problem in Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Mendoza.”
All three of these cities are nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) north of San Carlos de Bariloche or the northern limits of Patagonia.
U.S, State Dept & Chile
According to the United States Department of State:
“While the security environment is generally safe, street crime, carjackings, telephone scams, and residential break-ins are common, especially in Santiago, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Antofagasta, Calama, and Iquique,”
All six of these cities are located in the far north of Chile, which is over 1000 miles away.
Antofagasta, Chile in the north is 2815 miles by car from the Patagonian city of Punta Arenas
I contacted the Embassy of the United States of America in Chile and asked them if Patagonia is safe. The U.S. Embassy in Chile replied:
"The Patagonia is safe, however, it is advisable not to travel alone if at all possible or let your family and friends know your whereabouts at all times."
"Not to leave your belongings unattended or bags in the car. Have emergency numbers such as the police always handy."
final thought
It should be noted that both Chile and Argentina have a higher Global Peace Index score than the United States. I live in Valdivia, Chile, and I feel safer here than I do when I’m back in the USA.
However, no place is paradise or a utopic bubble. Being mindful of your surroundings and keeping valuables locked away or hidden is always advisable, regardless if you're in Patagonia, Arizona, or ‘The Patagonia.’
Jesse is the Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance and is an avid mountain biker in Chile’s Patagonia. Hobbies: Reading & researching, tasting good beer, and studying maps.
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Sources for “Is Patagonia Safe”
“Argentina International Travel Information.” State.Gov, 2018, travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html.
“Chile International Travel Information.” State.Gov, 2019, travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Chile.html. link
Rotarou, Elena S. “Does Municipal Socioeconomic Development Affect Public Perceptions of Crime? A Multilevel Logistic Regression Analysis.” Social Indicators Research, vol. 138, no. 2, 8 June 2017, pp. 705–724, 10.1007/s11205-017-1669-2.
Vision of Humanity. “Global Peace Index – Vision of Humanity.” Vision of Humanity, 2017, visionofhumanity.org/indexes/global-peace-index/.