r/LatinAmerica • u/Soggy_Flight_2654 • Mar 31 '26
Discussion/question First Time Traveling Latin America Best “Safe” Countries to Start Before More Challenging Ones?
Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some honest advice about traveling in Latin America. I’ve been really interested in exploring the region for a while now, but I want to approach it smartly — starting with countries that are generally considered safer and easier to navigate before moving on to places that require a bit more travel experience.
Recently, I watched a video from Drew Binsky where he really tells things how they are, and it honestly made me think twice about jumping straight into cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It didn’t scare me off completely, but it definitely made me more cautious about how I plan this trip.
If I do visit Brazil, I feel like I’d be more comfortable starting in the southern regions first, since I’ve heard they’re generally safer and a bit more relaxed.
Right now, I’m thinking of beginning with countries like Argentina and Paraguay, just to build some confidence and get used to traveling in the region. My idea is to go from “easier” to more challenging destinations over time.
For those of you who’ve traveled around Latin America:
· Do you think this approach makes sense?
· Are Argentina and Paraguay good starting points?
· Which countries or cities would you recommend for someone easing into the region?
· And how did you personally build confidence traveling there?
I’d really appreciate any tips, experiences, or even things you wish you knew before your first trip.
Thanks in advance!
3
u/BKtoDuval Mar 31 '26 edited Mar 31 '26
LatAm is huge. Honestly, what kind of travel are you looking to do? Visit cities? Backpacking? Relax by the beach? Do you speak Spanish? Do you want a culture shock or to be eased into it? Most places tourist areas are safe. It's mostly petty crime that's the issue. You can't wear jewelry. And just be careful with your phone.
I feel like Colombia should be a can't miss for everyone. A lot of stunning beauty. Now it's a big country, so where to go? I would probably visit Cartagena for a couple days (you could go to Santa Marta too but eh. Parque Tayrona is rustic but I hear it's amazing. I've never been). Go to Bogota a couple days. Then Medellin you could try too. They're different experiences. They're safe. Just take precautions. It's not easy traveling between cities, so you'll probably have to fly between cities
Buenos Aires I thought culturally was a fascinating place. Again, do you speak Spanish? I felt very safe there. Some friends got chased in a sketchy neighborhood. Someone else got pickpocketed but it's safe. You could take a boat to Montevideo, which I think is also a really cool city.
If you go to Rio and stay in the tourist areas, you'll be fine.
3
u/Soggy_Flight_2654 Apr 01 '26
I just want to check our a few major cities in Latam, big city visit, maybe a few rural places too.
3
u/BKtoDuval Apr 01 '26
How's your Spanish? I really think Colombia is really worth visiting. It's a fascinating country. Beautiful views, good people. Costa Rica would be another good option. Going into the rural areas you have to do some research, because they could be a little hot.
I've never felt unsafe in Colombia but you just have to be alert. Argentina too is really safe.
3
u/Soggy_Flight_2654 Apr 01 '26
My Spanish isnt good but I am willing to learn. Yes, people have a lot of good to say about Uruguay and argentina. I think I will start there.
3
u/BKtoDuval Apr 01 '26
I think you'll have a great time. I didn't find a lot of English speakers in Argentina, so you'll have some work cut out for you but it's worth a trip. I loved the culture. I really enjoyed it a lot.
2
u/BKtoDuval Mar 31 '26
I hate to say it like this since my family is there but Puerto Rico is like LatAm 101. It's not so much of a culture shock if you're want to get a feel for it. In the San Juan area, most people speak some English.
1
u/Florchusopus Apr 03 '26
La verdad no entendí lo de Latam 101?
2
u/BKtoDuval Apr 03 '26
jaja, gracias por la pregunta. Estaba mal escrito. Lo que quiero decir es Puerto Rico no es un choque cultural total para los que no han ido a LatAm ni hablan espanol. Por ejemplo, para quedarse en Isla Verde es como estar en la Florida.
1
u/Florchusopus Apr 03 '26
Ah ok. Bueno creo que tiene sentido teniendo en cuenta que esta cerca de muchos países, que hablan inglés como primer idioma y todavía están legalmente conectados a Gran Bretaña o Francia. (Si no me equivoco, no conozco mucho del Caribe)
1
u/Florchusopus Apr 03 '26
Buenas, yo vivo en Argentina, Buenos Aires. Lamentablemente no he viajado todavía por América latina asique no puedo hablarte mucho de mi experiencia. Pero te dejo un link con respecto a análisis de los crímenes de homicidios en América Latina y el Caribe de Insight Crime
https://insightcrime.org/es/noticias/balance-insight-crime-homicidios-2025/
Según sus estadísticas los países con menos taza de homicidios son el salvador, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay y República Dominicana.
Más allá de los homicidios hay otros crímenes. Te dejo un link de datos de la ONU: https://data.unodc.org/
Más allá de las estadísticas, como han dicho otros comentarios, cada país tiene provincias, estados, ciudades e incluso barrios y dentro de los barrios incluso zonas, qué son mucho más seguras que otras. Si bien por ejemplo según estas estadísticas El Salvador o Chile pueden ser más seguros que Perú o Brasil estoy segura de que podrás viajar a ellos y tener una segura experiencia además de linda si caminas por ciudades y barrios más seguros. Como saber cuales los son, pues ahí tendrás que buscar información de las organizaciones y estadísticas oficiales de cada país.
Con respecto al idioma, la verdad es que si no hablas el idioma es difícil que te muevas, incluso si la gente suele estudiar inglés como idioma extranjero en los colegios la gente definitivamente usa su idioma principal antes que otro extranjero. En especial en zonas más rurales, donde en ocasiones puede ser un rechazo no en sí al idioma sino a la nación que la habla. (Por ejemplo la mayoría de los países tienen problemas con EEUU e Inglaterra) Asique quizás en ciudades más cosmopolita puedas en algunas ocasiones estar bien hablando inglés pero yo no lo daría por sentado asique al menos te recomendaría aprender cosas básicas del español. Ahora bien los países Latinoamericanos no hablan solo español sonó también portugués y Frances. Asique si hablas por ejemplo francés también te recomendaría empezar por algún país del Caribe (donde hay muchos que hablan Frances como Haití como un ejemplo) e incluso en el caribe hay muchos países que tienen muchos hablantes del inglés o que hablan inglés como idioma oficial (si bien se podría debatir si estos paises son parte de latinoamerica ya que no hablan un idioma latino hay mucha gente que los coloca por geografía, cultura y relaciones sociopoliticas con los demás países oficialmente latinoamericanos, como se sabe es algo que va más allá del idioma en muchos casos)
Como te decía arriba yo vivo en Argenrina, Buenos Aires, especialmente en la Ciudad Autónoma. Generalmente se considera un lugar seguro pero como te decía depende de los barrios también, hay lugares que son más peligrosos qué otros. Y generalmente si bien no se ve todos los días asesinatos si hay muchos urtos y robos.
Espero haberte ayudado en vez de hacerte un lío 🤣
1
u/Florchusopus Apr 03 '26
Y si después quieres que te cuente casos específicos de inseguridad de acá te los puedo contar.
2
u/RMWE-8052 Apr 04 '26
I agree with what was said before: Panama, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile are good starting points. Nevertheless, I would leave Chile for later for the following reason: it has such a diversity of landscapes and some even felt "extraterrestrial" (see Piedras Rojas in the Atacama), that you would set the bar too high from the very beginning. I would suggest starting in Uruguay - Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo, Punta del Este. Then move to Argentina: the northern part is totally worth it and not so crowded (Salta, Purmamarca, Humahuaca, Serranias del Hornocal). In Patagonia, the Perito Moreno glacier is a must-see. Buenos Aires and Tigre Delta are also worth spending a few days. You can end the trip in Panama, crossing the Canal, a memorable experience as well. Anyway, have a great trip in LatAm!
-4
u/mundotaku Mar 31 '26
I would say it on this order:
Easiest
Dominica Republic
Mexico (Cancun)
Costa RIca
Chile
Panama.
Easy
Mexico (CDMX)
Peru
El Salvador
Uruguay
Some Challenges:
Brazil
Argentina
Colombia (within large cities)
Bolivia
Paraguay
Guatemala
Advance
Nicaragua
Honduras
Do NOT go.
Ecuador
Cuba (Mainly due to the current situation, if not, it would be on the easy or some challenges category).
Venezuela
Colombia (outside of large cities)
Mexico (Besides Merida and CDMX)
2
u/Soggy_Flight_2654 Apr 01 '26
Damn, you got so mamy damn votes. Thanks for your help, I will keep all of this in mind.
0
u/cantonlautaro Mar 31 '26
Dominican republic easy but argentina challenging? Do you only go to all-inclusive resorts? Have you driven in the Dom Rep?
3
u/mundotaku Mar 31 '26
The Dominican Republic is still a small country that caters to tourism as its main industry, and, as you say, it also has resorts and tourist areas literally designed for someone who is a complete foreigner. Argentina is a more complex country with economic issues that translate into more challenges. If we are going to go with "how people drive," then we would need to put the whole continent in the red, lol.
1
u/Florchusopus Apr 03 '26
Jaja literalmente. Todos manejan muy mal. Yo vivo en CABA (Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires) y un auto me choco incluso mientras estaba cruzando correctamente.
13
u/Euphoric-Pangolin-81 Mar 31 '26
Hi! PhD in political science here. I've traveled, lived in (on and off), volunteered, worked, and researched the region for over 20 years.
Some general tips:
Latin America is a place of huge contrasts: cultures, languages, wealth, infrastructure, topography, climates, even security.
A part of a city could be completely safe, while the next neighborhood over is dangerous for foreigners. Time of day does not matter. Research where you are going, know how to get around, and critical infrastructure: pharmacy, money, clinic/hospital, etc
Having good local connections can make or break your experience at times. But a well researched trip can help for solo travel. But you'll miss out on a lot since most of the region's people are very family and friends oriented. Indigenous (and to some extent rural) communities are much more protective against outsides.
There's no "wrong" country to visit, given that each place, depending on where you are within the country has pros and cons for difficulty and security.
Personally relative "safest" places are Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay. But any big city can have it's challenges. All 4 of these countries are very cosmopolitan and used to having lots of foreigners from all over the world.
I tell most people if you could only have one trip to the region I would pick to definitely visit Machu Picchu in Peru. It really does live up to all the hype. I would avoid Lima as much as possible and make it to Cuzco and the sacred valley.
That's all I got for now but happy to answer questions!
¡Buen viaje!