Safety remains a primary concern for Americans going abroad, especially in the current geopolitical climate, where safety warnings are issued with little to no warning, and wars are erupting left, right, and center.
It may not exactly be a battlefield at the moment, but Latin America has never been exactly known for being the most stable of regions.
Between rampant widespread corruption and higher-than-average crime rates, traveling around LatAm requires extra caution. That being said, there are a handful of countries where safety concerns are less pronounced:
An obvious example is Argentina, which has, for many decades now, been considered a safe haven in the Global South—but this is not another regurgitated story on Buenos Aires’ European flair.
According to a new report by Global Citizen Solutions, the safest country in Latin America is not the birthplace of tango, but Uruguay, a much smaller neighboring country that often gets overlooked by tourists:
Uruguay Crowned Safest Country In LatAm
Before we delve deeper into some of the reasons why Uruguay is so safe, let’s first take a look at the methodology used.
In order to rank the safest countries in LatAm, Global Citizen Solutions analyzed safety data from numerous sources, local crime statistics, and official travel advisories, such as those issued by the U.S. Department of State, to get to the broader, most accurate picture possible.
In this, the Global Peace Index (GPI) was particularly relevant, as it measures the levels of peace, political stability, and societal safety, including crime rates, particularly as it pertains to violent crime and petty theft in major urban centers.
Then, political stability was taken into account, including the risk for potential civil unrest, an issue that, every now and then, impacts tourism in countries like Peru and Ecuador.
Lastly, they also looked at the establishment of expat communities. As they stated, countries with an established presence of foreigners, and notably Americans, tend to offer ‘enhanced safety measures‘ and better access to basic services.
Why Uruguay Won Big This Time
Taking into account all of these factors, Uruguay ranked as the number one safest country in the Latin group, as well as the 50th safest worldwide.
If you thought Argentina would rank at the very top, it actually places number three, behind Uruguay, of course, and Chile, but this is not a comparative piece. Back to Uruguay:
As assessed by Global Citizen Solutions, the homicide rate in Uruguay is around 8 per 100,000 (that’s remarkably low for the region), and the level of political stability is ‘high’. In other words, tourists can expect minimal unrest on-site.
We’ll get into some of the key safe cities in a bit, but in general, Uruguay is regarded as a perfectly stable country, boasting a strict rule of law and effective policing. These factors have contributed directly to a higher-trust society, and lower numbers of serious, violent incidents.
They noted pickpocketing can still occur in ‘crowded urban areas’, but in general, Uruguay is safe for tourists.
Where Is Crime Most Common In Uruguay?
The U.S. Department of State informs Americans that crime in Uruguay is ‘most common’ in the following departments:
- Montevideo (includes the namesake capital of the country)
- Canelones
- Maldonado (includes Punta Del Este)
- Rivera
That’s two major tourist destinations: the national capital, and the leading coastal (and casino) destination in Uruguay, but according to Global Citizen Solutions, they are two of three ‘key safe cities’.
Montevideo is a mini Buenos Aires of sorts, known for its beautiful colonial-era architecture, covered markets, and vibrant social scene.
Punta del Este, on the other hand, is for high-end hotels straddling the Atlantic, nightlife, and yachting. It’s also the home of the ‘Uruguayan Santorini’, known locally as Casapueblo, a chalk-white seaside complex similar to the famous Greek island.
As for the third and final key city, it’s Colonia del Sacramento, a picture-perfect small town characterized by its cobble-paved alleys, lined with pastel-hue houses, and Portuguese-era colonial edifices. Yep, before the Spanish took over, their Lusitan used to rule Colonia.
Stay Safe While Abroad Using Our Travel Advisory Checker
If you’re flying abroad in the coming months, and you’re unsure which safety advice applies at your destination, make sure you check out our U.S. Travel Advisory Checker:
Simply type in the name of the country in the gadget’s search bar, and the up-to-date information on security risks will pop up.
The best part is, it’s free to use, and far less complicated than wordy, complex Government websites.
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