The Honest Overview
South America is not uniquely dangerous for tourists — it is a continent with significant inequality and the crime that accompanies it in specific areas, alongside millions of safe, welcoming communities where visitors come to no harm. The risk of becoming a victim of violent crime as a tourist is considerably lower than sensationalist coverage suggests; the risk of petty theft (pickpocketing, phone snatching, bag-snatching) is higher than in Western Europe and requires specific countermeasures. Understanding which risks are real and which are imaginary is the foundation of practical safety in South America.
ATM Safety South America
ATM-related crime is one of the most common ways tourists lose money in South America. The practical rules: use ATMs inside bank branches during banking hours — not street ATMs at night; use the ATM to withdraw a week's cash in one transaction rather than daily small amounts (reducing your ATM exposure and the cumulative fees); cover the keypad when entering your PIN (shoulder-surfing and keypad cameras are common); do not accept help from anyone near the ATM; check the card reader for skimmers (the card slot should be firmly attached — give it a gentle tug). Express kidnapping (being taken to an ATM at knifepoint to withdraw cash) exists in specific cities — Lima, Bogotá, and São Paulo have the highest rates. Use Uber from your hotel door, not taxis hailed on the street in these cities.
Common Scams South America
The fake police scam: Two people approach — one in plain clothes claims to be a police officer, shows a fake badge, and says your money needs to be 'checked for counterfeit bills.' Legitimate police in South America never ask to check your wallet on the street. Say 'No, gracias' and walk away. If they persist, walk into the nearest shop or restaurant.
The spill scam: Someone spills something on you (ketchup, ice cream, bird dropping — real or simulated), a 'helpful' passer-by appears to help clean it up, and your wallet or phone disappears in the distraction. In the cities where this is common (particularly Bogotá and Lima), a substance appearing on you from nowhere should trigger immediate awareness of your belongings, not gratitude for the helper.
The taxi overcharge: Unmarked taxis quoting prices in the 'other' currency (soles vs dollars, pesos vs dollars) create confusion that results in paying 5–10x the correct fare. Agree on a price in the local currency before getting in, or use Uber exclusively.
The gem investment scam: Approached by a 'jewellery exporter' who offers you a chance to 'carry' gems to resell in your home country at profit. The gems are fake. This scam targets male travellers specifically and is common in Bogotá.
Safest Cities in South America for Tourists
Consistently safe for tourists with normal precautions: Cusco (high tourist density, strong police presence), Cartagena walled city and Getsemaní, Medellín El Poblado and Laureles, Montevideo, Santiago, and Buenos Aires Palermo and Recoleta. Require specific precautions: Lima city centre (safe by day, use Uber at night), Bogotá (safe in northern barrios, avoid south and downtown at night), Rio de Janeiro (safe in tourist districts, requires specific awareness). Avoid for independent tourism without extensive local knowledge: Caracas, some areas of major Brazilian cities beyond the tourist districts.
What to Leave at the Hotel
The single most effective safety measure in South America: leave your real passport, all but one credit card, all jewellery, and your good camera at the hotel (in the safe) when exploring unfamiliar areas. Carry only: a photocopy of your passport (sufficient for most situations), one card, cash for the day in a money belt under your clothing, and your phone in a pocket — not in your hand while walking. The phone-snatching risk (mototaxis or motorcycles grabbing phones from walking users) is real in Lima, Bogotá, and Brazilian cities. Do not walk while using your phone in these cities.
