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10 Tops Tips To Stay Safe in South America When Traveling!

South America is wonderful. Fantastic landscapes, fascinating cultures, and History, and friendly and welcoming people. There, adventure is still possible, and that’s probably why it is hugely popular with backpackers from all over the world. But South America can also be full of dangers for the uninitiated. This page aims to give a few guidelines to radically increase the chance of staying safe when traveling in South / Latin America.

I have vagabonded quite extensively around Central America and South America and came across various risks of getting in trouble. Sometimes potentially big trouble. That’s why I decided to share here what I learned by traveling there, and what rules I apply to myself to stay safe. I advise you to set these rules for yourself too, especially if you travel alone.

In no particular order:

Your Valuables

Leave your valuables at homeYour shiny jewelry and your beautiful watch should be left at home. These really are like a “please, attack me” sign for some people. A large part of the Latin American population is poor. Your beautiful necklace represents months’ worth of their revenue. And it’s so easy to take it from you. Don’t tempt them.

Your Cash

Try not to take out a lot of cash from your wallet when you pay at a counter – It’s the same idea, this is a “look at how rich I am, do you realize that you could get all this money if you attack me” message to someone with bad intentions.

La Paz Bolivia
Over La Paz, Bolivia

Your Camera

The same rule applies to your cool high-tech camera – We all love to take photos but you don’t really need to keep your $1,000 camera hanging at your neck the whole time, do you? It’s fine in many places and tourist spots, but it can be a little riskier in some cities or districts.

Look for a lightweight, compact camera that won’t weigh you down during your journeys. Consider the sensor size, megapixels, and lens quality for good image quality. Decide on the zoom range you need, whether an all-in-one zoom or interchangeable lenses.  

Prioritize low-light performance, image stabilization, and video capabilities for capturing nighttime scenes and on-the-go videos. Durable construction and weather-sealing protect your camera during outdoor adventures, while wireless connectivity simplifies photo sharing. Moreover, a decent battery life allows for extended shooting, and an intuitive interface aids usability.  

Choose between an electronic viewfinder (EVF) or an LCD screen for composing shots. Set a budget and explore options, considering factors like interchangeable lenses, GPS, and the brand’s ecosystem. Your ideal travel camera varies depending on your preferences and photography goals.

Whether wandering through lively markets, trekking in rough landscapes, or weaving through busy streets, a durable camera bag guarantees that your equipment stays protected and within easy reach. This way, you can confidently capture those unforgettable moments with peace of mind. Durable camera bags made by Langly and other reputable brands can handle the challenges of travel and city exploring. They come with handy compartments and cushioning that keep your camera and accessories snug and secure.   

The Crowds

Avoid crowded areas – If you happen to be caught in a crowded, you’d better keep your hands in your pockets and protect your stuff. I remember once in Bolivia during some festival in the middle of a crowd, I knew that at the second my legs would stop moving when I stop walking, an unknown hand would visit my pocket. The crowd blocked me, I had to stop walking, some thief put his hand in my pocket. In such situations, you also absolutely want to have your backpack in the front.

Borders

Try to avoid border towns, or avoid staying there for too long – Borders are notoriously usually more dangerous than other regions, mostly because there is always a lot of trafficking going on between the two countries. This brings all the bad guys that increase your risk of getting into trouble. I remember years ago hearing the news of a French couple disappearing, in a town at the border between Bolivia and Brazil, where they had chosen to stay for a while. It’s a rare incident, but it happens. I’m sure you can find a better place to stay, really.

Many borders can be crossed without any problem, and some are crossed by tons of tourists, like the one between Peru and Bolivia. But just bear in mind that they are generally less safe, and try to limit the time of your stay.

At Night

Avoid going out at night and know where you are going – The safety situation can greatly differ from one district to another, and at night the risk of stumbling across some bad guy is much higher.

Barracones Lima Peru
Los Barracones is probably the most dangerous district of Lima, Peru. Drug addicts sitting on the sidewalks and fearless thugs are the norms there. You get out of the car, you’re doomed. Thanks to relations I had in Lima, I got to “tour” this area with a trustworthy taxi driver. Quite an impressive and stressful experience, but I am still glad to have seen it.

Bus Terminals

In bus terminals, watch your luggage carefully – Any baggage left unattended even for a few minutes is easy prey for a thief. Even if you have to get a little far from your bags for a moment, make sure you keep an eye on them.

Airports

In airports, and generally, be distrustful of people who come to talk to you – You can either pretend not to speak their language and not start any conversation or talk to them casually but just be careful not to get tricked by some thief or worse, a drug trafficker. I know this happens to one in a million tourists, but it happens. And it’s always better to be aware of such practice. A nice guy, a fragile grandma, or a cute kid can come to talk to you and distract you, while an accomplice takes care of your bags. Of course, if you are asked to keep their bag for a moment or anything like this, NEVER, ever accept.

I am not saying to isolate yourself from everything and everyone and not say a word to anybody. I am just saying that it is safer to keep your guard up, and always keep in the back of your mind that friendly people are sometimes friendly for bad reasons.

Fake Police

Beware of fake police officers – This has become a quite common scam in South America. A man without a uniform can claim to be a police officer and order you to show him your passport or get in his car. Never accept. Real police officers will be wearing a uniform, never ask that from you, and are usually told to leave foreign tourists alone. In Cochabamba in Bolivia, two guys in a big car suddenly stopped next to me screaming “Police! What are you taking pictures of?” Then they asked me to get in their car. I walked away quickly, luckily they didn’t follow me. If you get in the car, they would usually take you to an ATM and force you to empty your bank account.

If Attacked

If you are attacked, give it to them!! – You could easily lose much more than your belongings and be sent to the hospital – or worse.

Conclusion

Don’t get scared because of this list, South America is fabulous! When you think about it, most of this is common sense. You just want to avoid tempting the bad guys to do anything to you and appear not interesting to them. If you are a white Caucasian gringo like me, you will be regularly considered a giant walking dollar sign anyway. There is no way to help it.

That’s why you always have to be cautious, pay attention to where you go, who you talk to, and where your bags are. It’s not really much of a hassle once you get used to it. And it’s worth making the effort of getting used to it so you can have a great experience!

I came across various delicate situations, but I believe that these guidelines I religiously follow enabled me to stay safe the whole time. I visited 7 Latin American countries, some of them twice, and nothing serious has ever happened to me. My South American trips are filled with marvelous memories, do not hesitate to go there!

1 Comment

  • May
    Posted February 13, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Interesting and useful to know for travelling!

    Reply

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