Latin America is a broad and diverse region of the world with many incredible destinations.
But before planning a trip to Latin America, you might be wondering about the safety of visiting.
Fortunately, you can travel safely in the majority of countries in Latin America by exercising a standard level of caution and following travel safety tips.
However, the following five countries have the highest level of safety in all of Latin America.
In order to determine these rankings, data was pulled from the Global Peace Index, an annual analysis of safety and security from the Institute for Economics and Peace.
For reference, the United States is currently ranked 129 of 163 countries.
These are the top five safest countries in Latin America for travelers right now:
1. Costa Rica
The safest destination in Latin America is Costa Rica. Located in Central America, this peaceful nation comes in at 38 on the Global Peace Index’s ranking of 163 countries.
Costa Rica is by far the safest place to travel in Central America, with a low level of crime and violence and a highly-developed tourism infrastructure. In fact, the country does not even have an army — it was abolished in 1949.
Travelers visiting Costa Rica can enjoy beautiful beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, tropical jungles, cloud forests, and other unique environments. This country is known for its biodiversity and laidback “pura vida” lifestyle.
2. Uruguay
Uruguay ranks within the top 50 safest countries in the world and is another one of the safest countries in Latin America for travelers.
This small and underrated South American nation is a great place to visit. You can easily get to the capital city of Montevideo from Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s just a 50-minute flight or a 2-hour ferry ride.
The beach town of Punta del Este, Uruguay ranks as one of the safest destinations for solo female travelers and is commonly referred to as the St. Tropez of South America.
3. Chile
Another safe country in South America is Chile. It ranks at 55 on the Global Peace Index, coming in just after Greece in terms of safety and security for travelers.
Chile is a great destination for travelers who love the outdoors. Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most breathtaking areas of natural beauty in the world, and it’s popular with hikers and trekkers because of its stunning scenery.
In the north, the Atacama Desert is full of otherworldly landscapes and stark beauty, while remote Easter Island is a bucket list destination for adventurous travelers.
4. Panama
Panama is another one of the safest countries in Latin America. It comes in at 61 on the Global Peace Index, and it’s the safest country in Central America after Costa Rica.
Travelers in Panama will discover a country full of contrasts and diversity. In Panama City, you’ll find glitzy high-rises alongside a historic colonial old town. The San Blas Islands are a tropical paradise, while the Panama Canal is an architectural marvel.
Bocas del Toro is a laidback beach town, or if you prefer mountains, you can head to quiet and peaceful Boquete. There’s something for everyone in Panama.
5. Argentina
Finally, Argentina is one of the safest destinations in Latin America for travelers right now. Despite an ongoing financial crisis, Argentina remains one of the safest countries in South America and ranks at 69 on the overall Global Peace Index of 163 countries.
In Argentina, there’s no shortage of things to do. Beautiful and cosmopolitan Buenos Aires is a must-visit, along with the wine country of Mendoza.
One of the most impressive areas of natural beauty in Argentina is Iguazu Falls, which Argentina shares with neighboring Brazil.
