The Safest Countries in South America in 2025: Ranked
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The safest countries in South America in 2025 are Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, followed by Paraguay and Peru.
I’ve been to every country on the continent, most multiple times, and South America has a reputation for violence and high crime. Whilst that is definitely true in the likes of Brazil, Ecuador and Guyana, some countries (such as some of those mentioned above) are just as safe as many European countries.
Here I will rank every country in South America from safest to most dangerous, explain what makes each nation safe or unsafe, and make sure you are prepared for your own South America trip with the knowledge needed to avoid any sticky situations on the road.
I will combine data from the Global Peace Index with my own real world experiences travelling through these countries, meeting locals, and getting a firsthand feel of what they are like to finalise my rankings below.

What are the Main Dangers in South America?
If you’ve read my post on Latin America’s safest countries, you will see a lot of similarities. After all, 10/12 South American countries fall under the Latin America banner. However this post is on South America, meaning it does not cover Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean, and it does include Guyana and Suriname.
Let’s start by looking at common dangers that South America tourists should be aware of:
Violence is a key concern for visitors to South America. The continent is known for producing almost all of the world’s cocaine, predominantly in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. As a result, cartels are often involved in violent clashes with rival gangs and law enforcement in these and neighbouring countries (Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil also have their fair share of struggles, even Paraguay to a lesser extent).
In practice, you are unlikely to be caught up in drug-related crime unless you specifically choose to get involved with it. Just don’t do this, it’s not worth it!
Armed robberies are a more real threat for tourists. I’ve been to every South American country, and met numerous travellers with a story to share. Generally you won’t be targeted if you take appropriate precautions such as dressing down, not flashing wealth, and staying inside after dark. But some places (for example Bogota, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Quito) do have a heightened risk.
Motochorros are such a big problem in South American nations that they have a specific word to describe them. A motochorro is a thief operating from a motorbike. Generally they work in pairs, with one person riding and the other snatching bags, phones, or other valuables they can get their hands on. They operate in most major cities across the continent.
High altitude is brutal and can be deadly in extreme circumstances. Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador are the main countries where this is a concern, generally around the Andes. Chile, Argentina and Colombia also have high altitude spots. Make sure you acclimatise for a few days at higher elevations before doing any strenuous activities, and don’t go too high too quickly.
Wildlife can be deadly at times. Now you may be thinking that fearsome jaguars or crocodiles are what you need to look out for, however this is not the case. Jaguars are so rare you will probably never see one, and crocodiles are easily avoided with common sense.
Mosquitoes on the other hand carry all sorts of deadly diseases and are found in most low-lying areas of South America. Wear long-sleeved shirts (in jungle regions especially) and use DEET repellant to keep them at bay.
The roads can also be lethal. In Andean regions such as Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and northwest Argentina, you will often encounter long winding roads through the mountains with a sheer drop just inches from your vehicle’s wheels. Drunk drivers and a lack of seatbelts are also common issues across the continent.
Political instability is another issue to be aware of. Demonstrations are common in Latin America and can interfere with your plans. Bolivia is particularly notorious for issues, with regular roadblocks obstructing the only roads to and from La Paz.
Scams are the problem you are most likely to fall victim to. They happen everywhere and scammers can be quite devious in their tricks. Be especially careful whilst exchanging money. Avoid street vendors, and exchange only in official places.
The Safest Countries in South America: Ranked
The Global Peace Index (GPI) is a common source used to rank the safest countries in the world. It uses 23 metrics split into three categories: societal safety and security levels, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.
Whilst these are good for giving you a rough idea of how safe a country is, they don’t offer the full picture. Statistics are no substitute for real life experience, meeting locals who know their countries better than a data researcher who has never visited, and learning firsthand about how a safety situation is improving or deteriorating in real time.
Below are the GPI rankings for 2024 (the latest year with data available). However I would say these are not necessarily South America’s safest countries. After all, they also factor in metrics that don’t matter from a tourist’s safety perspective.
For example, military expenditure as a percentage of GDP and number of jailed individuals per 100,000 people are amongst the 23 ranking factors. And neither of those have any relevance to how safe you will be on your travels.
Likewise, there is no data for Suriname, a country I disliked so much that some useful safety data would’ve been helpful before my trip.
Here’s the GPI table. I do agree with the top few countries, but we’ll get into more detailed rankings next.
For context, the highest-ranked country in the world according to the GPI is Iceland with a score of 1.112, and the lowest in 163rd position is Yemen with a score of 3.397.
Ranking (Latin America) | Country | Ranking (Global) | Score |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Argentina | 47 | 1.855 |
2 | Uruguay | 52 | 1.893 |
3 | Chile | 64 | 1.978 |
4 | Bolivia | 68 | 2.009 |
5 | Paraguay | 74 | 2.044 |
6 | Peru | 99 | 2.179 |
7 | Guyana | 111 | 2.286 |
8 | Ecuador | 130 | 2.572 |
9 | Brazil | 131 | 2.589 |
10 | Venezuela | 142 | 2.821 |
11 | Colombia | 146 | 2.887 |
N/A (Unranked) | Suriname | N/A | N/A |
1) Argentina
Global Peace Index ranking: 1 (South America), 47 (Global)
Argentina is the safest country in South America. Most of its cities have much lower crime rates than others on the continent, and rural areas tend to be safer than cities in general.
There are only two places you need to be aware of in Argentina.
The first is Rosario, the home of Lionel Messi.
Unfortunately the city seems to have followed a path closer to its other well-known representative, Che Guevara, and has become Argentina’s only real drug gang hotspot. To be honest there’s little reason to visit Rosario. It isn’t a touristy city at all.
The other place to take more care is Buenos Aires, although it’s only a few spots that require extra attention. The area around popular tourist spot La Boca can be dangerous and has been the scene of muggings before. La Boca itself is safe in the daytime, but you should use Uber to enter and leave the area.
Also take extra care around Retiro bus terminal. It’s pretty run down around there, and thieves do operate in the area. Avoid displaying valuables, have a bit of common sense and you should be alright here.
Don’t be scared off visiting Buenos Aires though. It’s not a dangerous city overall, and the worst experience for the majority of tourists will be standing in dog poo. I would go as far as calling Buenos Aires the dog poo capital of the world, but that’s a story for another day…
Away from crime, there’s little to worry about in Argentina. It’s a pretty developed country that has a lot in common with Europe. The roads are fairly safe, and even on 27-hour bus journeys we never felt in danger. Certainly not the case in neighbouring Bolivia or Brazil.
The harsh winter climate of Patagonia can be risky, but if you take tours with reputable agencies and use common sense whilst hiking and driving through the area, then it shouldn’t be a problem.
Argentina is the perfect South America beginner destination due to its high safety levels as well as the incredible landscapes and world-class cuisine.
The only real issue in Argentina is the economy. It has been a mess for years, and inflation shot up despite the best efforts of president Javier Milei to reduce it.
Surprisingly, the messy economy hasn’t led to a massive increase in crime. But you should read my Argentina money guide before you go to get the best bang for your buck.
2) Uruguay
Global Peace Index ranking: 2 (South America), 52 (Global)
Uruguay has consistently been one of South America’s safest countries. And this makes a lot of sense when you realise Uruguay is effectively a mini Argentina.
In fact, there are so many similarities that Uruguay could easily be mistaken for the 24th province of Argentina. Like their neighbour, they have a heavy European influence, drink mate, eat steak, love football, and enjoy their alfajores.
And like their neighbour, Uruguay is one of the few South American countries where walking around with your phone out isn’t likely to see it snatched by a motorbike malandro.
That being said, I would still advise keeping your phone away still unless you need it, just to be on the safe side. Uruguay is safe by South America standards, but it isn’t quite Singapore.
There is one place in Uruguay which can be a bit dodgy, and that’s the capital Montevideo.
Montevideo is fairly run-down, and shady characters do come out at night, particularly in Ciudad Vieja (the old city) which is where many of the tourist hotspots are.
I didn’t feel entirely comfortable going from my Airbnb in Ciudad Vieja to the supermarket after dark. There were a fair few shady characters under the influence of drugs (I don’t know what drugs, but cannabis is legal and widely used in Uruguay) who created a tense environment.
The outskirts of Ciudad Vieja are a run-down port area with few people around, and you definitely don’t want to be here after dark.
Elsewhere in Uruguay, the country is really safe. Beach city Punta del Este has a lot of break-ins outside of the tourist season (October-March). But unless you own property, this shouldn’t affect you as a tourist.
The chilled out city of Colonia del Sacramento is one of the safest South American cities. It has a bit of a retirement vibe, so don’t expect wild parties here. But you’re highly unlikely to encounter any crime.
Take a day trip to Colonia from Buenos Aires if you don’t have any interest in seeing more of Uruguay. And enjoy one of South America’s least dangerous places.
3) Chile
Global Peace Index ranking: 3 (South America), 64 (Global)
The “Southern Cone” is the name given to the southernmost part of South America. This region includes all of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay, and some definitions also include Paraguay and the southernmost part of Brazil.
And you may be sensing a bit of a theme here, because South America’s third-safest country is also part of that region.
Chile shares many similarities with Argentina and Uruguay in terms of its European-style culture, cooler climates, higher standards of living compared to other South American countries, and most relevant to this article, safety.
Most of Chile is very safe, and if you spend time around the awesome Atacama Desert or Chilean Patagonia, then you will almost certainly experience no crime. Although the extreme heat and cold in these respective climates should be something to look out for.
There are two dodgier parts of Chile that make it slightly less secure than Argentina and Uruguay.
The first is the capital Santiago. A city with metal grates covering windows to stop them being broken. There are weekly riots which generally involve far-left protestors clashing with police and damaging the city. Graffiti is everywhere, as are broken statues. Getting caught up in one such riot was one of my worst ever travel experiences.
The other area requiring more caution is the Araucania region of Chile, and to a lesser extent the nearby Biobio and Los Rios regions. This is because the Mapuche conflict is ongoing in these areas, a series of clashes between the Chilean government and indigenous Mapuche people over land ownership.
You aren’t very likely to be caught up in the Mapuche conflict. It generally takes place away from where tourists are likely to go. Santiago is a different story however, and you may find yourself caught up there at some point.
It is possible to visit Santiago safely, but you should be aware of potential dangers if you are there. Especially on Friday afternoons and evenings as this is when the majority of riots occur.
4) Paraguay
Global Peace Index ranking: 5 (South America), 74 (Global)
Paraguay is on the periphery of the Southern Cone, although some definitions include it as part of the region. Paraguay is like a halfway house between the Southern Cone and the rest of South America.
The local cuisine has a lot in common with Argentina, it has some ties to Europe (albeit far less than its neighbour), and it’s a fairly safe country. Although if I’m honest, there is a bit of a gap between the high safety levels of the first three countries on this list, and Paraguay which I would give a 6.5/10 in terms of safety.
Paraguay is pretty safe overall, but there are some more rugged spots to be aware of.
The Brazil border crossings are known drug smuggling routes. Only the Ciudad del Este/Foz do Iguacu border is safe, albeit chaotic. This is probably the most common land border for tourists to cross as it will take you to Iguazu Falls.
Pedro Juan Caballero is the heart of Paraguay’s drug trade, and should be avoided.
Meanwhile, capital Asuncion has many great things to do. But you should stay away from the slum known as “Chacarita” (officially called Doctor Ricardo Brugada). Locals warned me to avoid this place as it’s said to be dangerous, and sure enough I was hissed at and followed by residents who had been moved into temporary shacks outside the Chacarita after a fire.
Also Mercado 4 needs extra care due to a high risk of pickpocketing. Nothing happened to me when I was there, and that’s because I dressed down, hid my valuables and was always conscious of security.
I’ve spent months in Paraguay and never had any safety issues there. That’s because I always take appropriate safety measures for Latin America. If you do the same and don’t show outward signs of wealth or walk around the big cities after dark, you should be fine here.
5) Peru
Global Peace Index ranking: 6 (South America), 99 (Global)
As one of the world’s largest cocaine producers, it’s a surprise that Peru is as safe as it is. The good news is that drug activity generally occurs in very remote places that tourists have no business in visiting, often around the Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro (VRAEM).
Tourist capital Cusco is super safe at daytime and early night. Although I would say to avoid being outside from around 1am-7am when you have a lot of drunks spilling out of the bars and being a nuisance. Especially on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Lima is pretty safe in the tourist hotspots of Barranco and Miraflores, but be careful in Callao around the airport and docks as it can be pretty dodgy with lots of thefts and violent crime.
Almost every tourist to Peru will visit safely without becoming a victim of crime. It isn’t common here. However there is a real danger with altitude.
High altitude can be deadly, and there’s a lot of it in Peru’s most famous tourist spots. Most notably: Cusco and Lake Titicaca, plus surrounding areas including Rainbow Mountain and Ausangate.
I ended up with an oxygen mask on in Ausangate after being floored by the high altitude and intense sun. You should spend a few days acclimatising in Cusco before attempting any intense activities.
Always make sure you book tours with reputable agencies in Peru. You need a reliable guide in the mountains, as they can be treacherous and are easy places to become ill.
Many tourists take multi-day treks to Machu Picchu. I did this during my first visit (the incredible 5-day Salkantay Trek) and it was fairly safe overall. The one thing I would advise is not to hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain which is at Machu Picchu itself. This is because the rocks can be quite slippery and it isn’t very safe, especially when wet.
Peru is amazing, and on the whole it is pretty safe. Put crime to the back of your mind, and make staying safe in the mountains and at altitude your main concern here.
View my 3-week Peru itinerary for activity ideas.
6) Bolivia
Global Peace Index ranking: 4 (South America), 68 (Global)
Bolivia is a strange country. When we talk about crime, it’s pretty safe. Sure, street crime happens, and La Paz is a place where you need to keep a closer eye on your belongings. But overall, Bolivia isn’t a place where theft and violence are major concerns.
Instead Bolivia is the country with perhaps the most dangerous environment in South America.
As with Peru, high altitude is a problem in the southwestern corner around La Paz and Uyuni, so make sure you acclimatise before travelling there.
Bolivia has South America’s most dangerous roads. They often wind through the mountains, drink driving is common, vehicles often lack seatbelts and are poorly maintained, roads can be rugged and bumpy, and drivers tend to weave through the tightest spaces to get through as fast as possible.
Bolivian roads are like the wild west.
Then you have safety standards, of which there are none at all… I’ve shared several stories of experiencing Bolivia’s lack of regard for safety in my detailed Bolivia safety guide.
Oh, and the food hygiene standards are horrendous here. Don’t drink the tap water (unless boiled, purified or filtered), don’t eat salad or drink anything with ice in, avoid fresh juice, and make sure any meat you eat is properly cooked. I’d also avoid seafood in this landlocked nation.
Bolivia is a fun adventure destination, but you’re taking a few risks when you go here. I would consider the first five countries on this list to be pretty safe. Bolivia is the next level down.
7) Venezuela
Global Peace Index ranking: 10 (South America), 142 (Global)
Perhaps the biggest surprise on this list. Venezuela has become a byword for danger in recent years.
Since socialist president Hugo Chavez was elected in 1999, he and his successor Nicolas Maduro have overseen the country plunging into extreme poverty which in turn led to crime becoming so rampant that “who was robbed or kidnapped this weekend” would be a regular office conversation on a Monday morning.
In 2021, things started to change. Venezuela ironically became so dangerous and so poor that there was no money left for criminals to steal. Almost all the rich people had either been robbed of everything or fled the country.
As a result, criminals fled and scattered all across the Americas with many settling in neighbouring Colombia and Brazil, whilst some made it all the way to the USA.
Meanwhile, Maduro’s henchmen cracked down hard on remaining criminals, not caring who else was caught in the crossfire, and crime rates have plummeted in recent years.
Venezuela is certainly no beginner destination. But we were surprised by just how safe it is now.
Even in Caracas, a city once comparable with warzones, we found ourselves walking around at night seeing locals dance in parks and playing football in the streets.
We were shocked. Caracas is unironically fairly safe these days. You can read more about it in my Venezuela tourist safety guide.
Elsewhere in the country, tourist hotspots such as Angel Falls and safari paradise Los Llanos are very safe. However areas around the Colombia and Brazil borders are not, with drug gangs rife and untrustworthy officials who have thrown tourists in jail accusing them of being mercenaries (although I’m unaware of any incidents since Maduro’s inauguration in January 2025).
You should read about all you should know before visiting Venezuela if you plan to visit. The officials can’t be trusted, and in all honesty Venezuela would be much higher on this list with a more trustworthy government.
Crime isn’t the main thing you need to worry about in Venezuela. It’s the (admittedly low) risk of being detained for no good reason. Don’t let me scare you, it probably won’t happen. But if you fit a profile they don’t like (for example: solo male traveller from the US with a military background) then you could end up in a spot of bother.
You will be asked your occupation on arrival. Do not tell them if you’re in the military, police or even journalism. Make sure you have a convincing cover story lined up. They didn’t ask us for evidence of our jobs, but have something ready just in case you are questioned on this.
Venezuela is mostly safe in terms of crime (something that shocked us based on what we’d heard before visiting). But it is a country with other dangers to look out for.
It’s challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.
8) Suriname
Global Peace Index ranking: N/A (South America), N/A (Global)
I was tempted to name Suriname as the most dangerous country in South America. After all, my 4 days in Paramaribo averaged one crime per day which led to Suriname becoming the worst country I have ever been to.
But I need to be objective here, and rank countries based on the bigger picture, not just my own personal experiences.
Sure, Suriname is going downhill rapidly in terms of safety as the economy struggles and people turn to crime as an alternative in a place where jobs are difficult to find.
But it lacks the violence that can be found in the four countries ranked lower on this list. Therefore it ranks at number 8 on this list.
As a white guy, I was a really obvious foreigner in Suriname, and this meant I was a target for scammers, who stole from me outside a money exchange, and later at the main bus station.
I was also chased down the street by a drug-addled lady carrying a vodka bottle whilst shouting something that probably wasn’t “welcome to Suriname, it’s great to have you here”.
And perhaps the worst incident was a man attempting to lure me into his van at Heiligenweg bus terminal. This is an area that has seen kidnappings take place where individuals have gone into unmarked vans owned by chancers unassociated with any legitimate bus services, and they’ve been robbed and left alone in the jungle.
Perhaps Suriname is a little more secure away from Paramaribo. But the capital is where most people live in this tiny nation of under 630,000 people. And you will almost certainly end up here when visiting, even just in transit.
Away from crime, Suriname is a tropical country with very hot and humid weather. It attracts a fair few mosquitoes, so be sure to bring repellant against these.
Honestly, Suriname isn’t very safe. And you need to exercise increased caution here. But it does at least avoid the widespread violence that plagues the final four countries on this list.
9) Colombia
Global Peace Index ranking: 11 (South America), 146 (Global)
Based purely on personal experience, Colombia should be ranked higher than Suriname. After 7 weeks in the country, I’ve never had a safety issue here. But again, it’s important to be objective. Colombia can be dangerous.
It is best known for being the top global producer of cocaine and the one-time home of Pablo Escobar. And the drugs industry has brought a lot of pain and misery to locals and tourists alike. Mostly locals, but some tourists have been harmed or even killed here.
Forget about going to the border areas. Fly if you want to visit any of Colombia’s neighbours to avoid cartel hotspots rife with theft and violent crime. Around the Ecuador and Venezuela borders things are particularly tense.
The notorious Darien Gap separating the country from Panama is a giant jungle run by paramilitaries and used to smuggle drugs and migrants, mostly towards the USA.
Capital Bogota has an edge to it. You can feel the tension when you visit. I’ve been four times in total and always feel uncomfortable walking around at daytime. After dark I’m absolutely not going outside here. Violence is rife and I’ve heard multiple stories of tourists being robbed.
In fact, I remember reading a while back about top travel blogger Nomadic Matt being stabbed during a robbery in La Candelaria, the most popular base for foreigners in Bogota.
Medellin is far safer than in the 1990s when it was the world’s most dangerous city during Pablo Escobar’s heyday. Crime still happens though and you shouldn’t walk around with your phone out. Surprisingly I saw many foreigners do just this…
If you stick to tourist spots and hide your valuables, then Colombia can definitely be visited safely, as myself (twice) and many other visitors know from firsthand experience. But you do need your guard up here. We avoided salsa capital Cali after hearing from locals how dangerous it is.
10) Guyana
Global Peace Index ranking: 7 (South America), 111 (Global)
Guyana is a small tropical nation bordering Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela. And to be honest, it isn’t very safe.
As a tourist, you will almost certainly end up in the capital Georgetown at some point. And Georgetown is a violent crime hotspot.
I read about how every UN member based there has been mugged at some point. And that tells you a lot about Guyana.
I was on edge for all three days there. You can read about my potentially fatal bus journey with a drunk maniac for a driver.
At one point I was approached by a beggar with a machete asking for money… fortunately, the machete was for work and he didn’t threaten me with it, but weapons are common in this essentially lawless part of South America, and in another situation, that could’ve been a real problem.
Mosquitoes are again a safety issue in the jungle parts of Guyana, but crime is your number one concern.
The USA gives Guyana a “level 3: reconsider travel” in its 4-level travel advisories ranking countries based on safety. This puts it in the same bracket as Pakistan, Chad, Niger, Colombia and Papua New Guinea.
With a few cool things to do in Georgetown, but little beyond that and the famous Kaieteur Falls, Guyana isn’t worth coming so far out of your way for. It’s uninteresting, expensive, remote and unsafe.
One for the travel purists.
11) Brazil
Global Peace Index ranking: 9 (South America), 131 (Global)
Brazil was a very hard country to rank.
The southern states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul are very safe and comparable to even the safest countries in South America: Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
In fact, they share a similar strong European influence and culture, as well as being very safe. Gramado and Canela in Rio Grande do Sul didn’t even have bars on the windows during our visit, a rarity in South America.
However, Brazil gets pretty dodgy as you go further north. Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are dangerous cities, whereas the northeast could easily be mistaken for a warzone.
In fact, a friend of a friend was shot and injured alongside his girlfriend who was killed in northeast Brazil back in 2024. Northern Brazil is no joke.
Violent crime is rampant, and criminals will often shoot first and ask questions later.
Sao Paulo is home to “Cracolandia” (crack land) where thousands of zombie-like homeless people roam the streets whilst under the influence of crack. We drove through there at night once, and it’s a scary place. Even in the day time you shouldn’t visit Cracolandia. Bad stuff happens here.
Rio de Janeiro has plenty of favelas: slums run by criminals often involved in drug gangs.
Favelas can often be just around the corner from “safer” areas. It is easy to walk into one by accident. Something that has cost tourists their lives in the past…
Rio is also infamous for the arrastão: a form of flash robbery where a group (often armed) will suddenly go from person to person taking their valuables, usually in a crowded area such as Copacabana or Ipanema Beach.
I’m in several Facebook groups on travel in Brazil, and every other week or so there is generally at least one report of an arrastão taking place.
Another problem in Brazil is armed gangs holding up buses between cities. I’ve heard multiple reports of buses being stopped by gunmen running into the road, then boarding the bus and robbing all the passengers.
This is mostly a problem in northern Brazil. More precisely, anywhere north of Rio de Janeiro. Whilst the odds are you will be fine, the risk is significant enough to suggest you either fly or avoid north Brazil altogether.
Be careful in Brazil. The south aside, it really isn’t safe.
12) Ecuador
Global Peace Index ranking: 8 (South America), 130 (Global)
Let’s start with the good news. The Galapagos Islands are very safe to visit, and you should be able to visit them easily without problems.
Now for the bad news. Ecuador is the most dangerous country in South America.
It wasn’t particularly safe when I first went in 2022. In fact, some guys tried to mug me on the streets of Quito. Not fun stuff.
Staff from my hostel warned me against going outside after dark. Even a 20-second walk to a shop across the road at 6pm was too dangerous in their eyes. I should add that it was still daytime when my incident occurred.
I also went to Guayaquil, a port city known as the most dangerous in Ecuador due to drug-related violence. Much of the Pacific coast also has problems and should be avoided where possible.
Anyway, my experiences were in 2022. Things have got worse since then.
In January 2024, Ecuador announced a state of emergency and declared war on drug gangs after a series of attacks broke out. That conflict is still taking place today, and cities such as Guayaquil should be avoided.
There are still some safer spots on mainland Ecuador such as Cuenca and Baños, but you may have to take some risks to get there, by taking buses from the bigger cities.
I’ve heard several reports of tourists visiting safely in 2025, so it can be done. But in all honesty, it is a gamble and there is a moderate chance that things could go wrong. At the very least, having your bag or phone snatched.
Like Peru and Bolivia, Ecuador is an Andean country with some spots at high altitude.
You should be aware of this if you travel, but the main problem in Ecuador is definitely the crime.
More Posts on South America
- The Safest Countries In South America In 2025: Ranked
- Best Countries In South America To Travel To: Ranked
- Central America Or South America: Which Is Better To Visit?
- What Are The Best South American Countries For First Timers?
- What Are The 10 Safest Cities In South America In 2025?
- The Ultimate 6 Month South America Itinerary On A Budget
Other Travel Safety Guides
Safety By Country
- Is Bolivia Safe For Tourists To Visit?
- Is Argentina Safe For Tourists To Travel To?
- Is El Salvador Safe For Tourists?
- Is Ecuador Safe For Tourists In 2025?
- Is Myanmar Safe For Tourists In 2025?
- Is Paraguay Safe For Tourists To Visit?
- Is Venezuela Safe For Tourists To Visit In 2025?
Safety By Region
- The Safest Countries In South America In 2025: Ranked
- What Are The 10 Safest Cities In South America In 2025?
- Safest Latin American Countries To Visit In 2025
- Safest Southeast Asian Countries To Visit In 2025
- What Is The Safest City In Southeast Asia In 2025?