Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Santiago is the main entry point for most visitors. The official advisory guidance and official advisory guidance both warn about street crime in the capital. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and muggings happen in busy districts. Bellavista, Lastarria, and the area around Plaza Baquedano see regular protest activity. Demonstrations can turn disruptive with little warning. The southern regions of Ñuble and Biobío were placed under a State of Catastrophe in early 2026 because of severe wildfires. Local authorities ordered curfews and evacuations in affected zones. Travellers heading to Concepción, Chillán, or the wider Lake District should check fire status before they go. Smoke can close roads and ground small aircraft for days. The far north and the Atacama Desert remain quieter for crime but bring their own issues. Border areas near Bolivia and Peru, including around Arica and Colchane, see migrant crossings and occasional police operations. Patagonia and Torres del Paine stay popular with hikers, though weather changes fast and rescue services are stretched. Easter Island is calm but remote, with limited medical care.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last updated its Chile guidance on 27 January 2026. The update adds new wording about wildfires in Ñuble and Biobío, where a State of Catastrophe is in force. The official advisory guidance also notes that terrorists are assessed as likely to try to carry out attacks in Chile, though no specific threat is named. The official advisory guidance keeps Chile at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The current advisory was reissued on 16 January 2025 and has not been raised since. It points to street crime, including muggings and pickpocketing, and notes a rise in violent offences. It also flags large protests in Santiago and other cities that can shut down transport. Neither government has ordered the departure of staff or family members. No region is currently rated above the national level by the US.
What travellers should know
Carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in your hotel low-risk. Keep phones and bags out of sight on the metro and in busy plazas. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps rather than flagging cars on the street. ATM skimming has been reported, so withdraw cash inside banks where possible. If a protest forms, walk away from it and avoid filming police lines. Check wildfire updates from Chile's CONAF and ONEMI before travelling south between December and April. Have a backup route out of rural areas and keep your phone charged. Chile sits on a major fault line, so read the tsunami signs along the coast and know the evacuation routes for your hotel. Travel insurance should cover natural disasters, hiking, and any adventure sports you plan to do. Medical care in Santiago is good but expensive without cover, and rural clinics are basic. Register with your embassy if you plan a long stay or remote trek.