How Safe Is South America? Countries Ranked From Safest to Most Dangerous
Argentina: The Surprise Safety Leader
Argentina reportedly ranks as the safest country in South America according to the 2025 Global Peace Index. Its homicide rate stands at 4.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly lower than Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico. Despite ongoing economic turmoil and inflation challenges, this South American giant has proven that financial instability doesn’t necessarily translate to violent crime. The U.S. State Department gives Argentina a Level 1 travel rating as of mid-2025, meaning visitors should exercise normal precautions.
Uruguay: Latin America’s Switzerland
Uruguay reportedly ranks 46th in the world on the 2025 Global Peace Index, earning its long-standing reputation as Latin America’s Switzerland. In 2024, Uruguay was ranked the most peaceful country in South America and had the lowest homicide rate in the region at just 3.5 per 100,000. The country has built a foundation of stability through progressive social policies and transparent governance. Think peaceful beaches, mild climates, and friendly locals who genuinely seem unbothered by the chaos happening elsewhere on the continent. While petty theft remains a concern in urban areas, violent crime targeting tourists is relatively rare here.
Chile: The Economic Powerhouse With Growing Pains
Chile ranks second in South America for safety according to the Global Peace Index 2024, at 58th globally. Its homicide rate sits at 4.4 per 100,000, well below the Latin American average. Yet the story gets more complicated when you dig deeper. From 2015 to 2024, Chile’s homicide rate rose by 139.1 percent, driven largely by organized crime and drug trafficking.
Chile closed 2024 with a murder rate of 5.5, compared to 6.3 in 2023. The decline offers hope, though foreign gangs from Venezuela and Peru have established footholds in Chilean criminal networks. Still, tourists can explore Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, and Easter Island with relatively minimal safety concerns.
Paraguay: The Overlooked Safe Bet
Paraguay ranks third in South America for safety according to the Global Peace Index 2024. Its homicide rate is around 5.7 per 100,000, well below the regional average and significantly safer than neighbors like Brazil or Bolivia. Paraguay is one of the least-visited countries in South America, but also one of the safest, with a Level 1 travel advisory as of mid-2025. This landlocked nation benefits from staying under the radar. Crime here falls mostly into petty theft and minor scams rather than violent confrontations. The country’s quiet simplicity and lack of mass tourism keep it refreshingly calm compared to flashier destinations.
The Danger Zone: Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil
At the opposite end of the spectrum, several South American nations struggle with serious security challenges. In 2023, Ecuador had the highest homicide rate among South American countries at 44.5 per 100,000, while Honduras ranked fifth at 31.1. Ecuador’s national homicide rate surged from 5.7 per 100,000 people in 2018 to about 45.1 in 2023, making it the most violent country in South America.
Venezuela’s homicide rate stood at 26.2 in 2024 according to the Venezuelan Violence Observatory, though the government claims much lower figures. Colombia reportedly ranks 140th on the Global Peace Index in 2025, one of the least peaceful countries in South America. Colombia recorded a murder rate of 25.4 in 2024. Brazil remains problematic, particularly in its northern regions where violent crime runs rampant and criminals often shoot first.
South America was the only region in the world to improve in peacefulness over the past year, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index. Still, travelers need to research specific destinations carefully, as safety conditions vary dramatically not just between countries but within them.
