Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Chile
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Currency Exchange Hustle
Individuals on the street will offer to exchange dollars or euros for Chilean pesos using confusing language to steal your cash. Decline these offers and only use legal currency exchange centers in malls or financial areas.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Tap water safe to drink: Yes
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to Chile must obtain a visa from one of the Chilean diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Chile. Some individuals or groups claiming to represent the interests of indigenous communities have carried out attacks in the Araucanía, Biobío and Los Ríos regions of the country. State actors and businesses operating in these regions are the primary targets of these groups. You should exercise caution and follow the instructions of local authorities. Anarchist groups have also carried out attacks, mostly in the Santiago Metropolitan region. Attacks are principally aimed at causing property damage. Keep bags with you at all times, as unattended bags might be treated with suspicion by local authorities. Report any suspicious behaviour or unattended packages to local authorities.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legal in Chile and are increasingly widely accepted socially, although much of Chilean society is conservative. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Chile usually ranks as one of the safest countries on the continent.
- •Pickpocketing and muggings occur, so it's better to go out in a group.
- •Do not show expensive-looking jewelry or watches, laptops or the newest mobile phones, even during the day.
- •For tourists or other "beginners" lacking experience in over-the-counter transactions with hard Chilean currency, you can reduce the chance of your wallet getting stolen by following some ad…
- •Separate coins and bills.
- •Chilean carabineros (National Police) are trustworthy: call 133 from any phone if you need emergency assistance.
Staying healthy
- •Having relatively good standards in medicine throughout the country, it is not difficult to stay healthy.
- •Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travelers. Other potential vaccines, depending on your travel situation include: Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies and Influenza.
- •Tap water is safe to drink.
- •The atmospheric ozone layer in Chile has thinned considerably, so the ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful to health, is very strong.
- •Healthcare: Chile has both a public and a private health care system.
- •The two largest private hospitals in Santiago are Clínica Alemana and Clínica Las Condes.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers generally view Chile as a safe destination when common sense is applied. In Santiago, areas like Providencia are considered safe and modern. While some travelers report warnings regarding safety in places like Valparaíso, sticking to main tourist areas and avoiding side streets is the standard advice for maintaining security. Uber is recommended over traditional cabs for transport. Outside of urban centers, the mountain roads, such as the route to Portillo, are noted for being dangerous due to their design. Overall, visitors report feeling safe throughout their trips, provided they avoid risky behavior and remain aware of their surroundings.
“I stayed in Providencia. I recommend staying around here as it's a very safe and modern area.
— r/travel
“Chile is more driver friendly, Uber still recommended over cabs
— r/travel
“While people warned me it was unsafe, I never felt like my safety was at risk at any time. I didn't go venturing down any side streets and kept to the main touristy areas.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F / L · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 133 / ambulance: 131 / fire: 132
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory but is generally expected. It is usually assumed that customers will leave a tip of 10%, if the service is considered satisfactory. Sometimes restaurants automatically add it to the bill.
Cash vs. Card
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most of the independent commerce of major cities and in all chain stores, no matter where they are. The PIN security system has been introduced for credit cards, so you will mostly only need your personal PIN (four digit code) as it exists in other parts of the world. For some cards you will not be asked for your PIN and they will use the four last num
Zoom in
One Chile city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09