Is It Safe to Travel to Chile in 2026?
Chile - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, extending along a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
Is It Safe to Travel to Chile in 2026?
Chile is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Street crime, including muggings and pick-pocketing, is common in Chile. Large-scale demonstrations can occur with little notice, disrupting transportation services.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- civil_unrest
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Crime rates, including violent crime, are increasing in Chile., Demonstrations can occur unexpectedly and may disrupt transportation..
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers are particularly vulnerable to street crime, including muggings and pickpocketing, especially in urban areas like Santiago.
Business travelers may face disruptions from spontaneous demonstrations and should remain aware of their surroundings, particularly in urban centers.
Families with children should be cautious of street crime and ensure access to healthcare, as pediatric care may be limited outside major cities.
Remote workers can find reliable connectivity in urban areas, but should avoid rural regions where internet access may be inconsistent.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Chile.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Chile has an overall threat severity of 3.2 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 0.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 94/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Chilean Peso (CLP)
Language
Spanish
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Chile
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Chile?
▶Is it safe to travel to Chile right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Chile?
▶What vaccines do I need for Chile?
▶Is Chile safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Chile?
More Chile Data
Free — 94/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.