How Safe Is Latin America for Expats? A Real Look at the Numbers

Latin America has a reputation as a dangerous place to live. The reputation is mostly undeserved, and the numbers back that up: per the World Population Review in 2023, the US has a crime rate of 47.7 per 1,000 people, while Latin America averages 34.8 per 1,000.

The US carries its own well-documented problems with gun violence and mass shootings, and both places work the same way internally. New York and Chicago have higher crime than rural US towns; Latin America has very safe cities and regions alongside genuinely risky ones. Many Americans living here will tell you they feel safer than they did at home. We're among them. The job is to figure out which areas are which, and locals already know the answer.

Research your specific destination

Latin America is 33 countries, each with its own culture, language, and history, so a region-wide safety verdict is meaningless. Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Chile are considered relatively safe, with low crime rates and stable politics. Honduras and Venezuela have high crime rates and political instability, yet even there, safe neighborhoods exist and expats live and work in them today.

For your shortlisted destinations, look up crime rates, political stability, and any ongoing conflicts. Then learn which types of crime are actually common there. In the safer regions, most crime against expats is non-violent and opportunistic, pickpocketing and petty theft, which street smarts largely prevent.

One caution on sources: don't take travel alerts and media coverage at face value. Alerts are sometimes issued for political or economic reasons rather than real risk, and media outlets exaggerate danger because it draws viewers. Rely on them alone and you'll rule out some of the best places on the continent.

Talk to people already living there

Nothing beats firsthand accounts. Join expat and nomad groups on social media, or platforms like Expat.com and InterNations, and ask direct questions about the specific city or neighborhood you're considering. Most groups are full of people happy to share what daily life actually feels like.

Be open about your concerns and ask for specific recommendations: which neighborhoods they chose, which they avoid, and what they'd do differently. Then weigh the answers against who's giving them. A 28-year-old solo traveler and a family with school-age kids will describe the same city very differently, so look for people whose situation resembles yours and take any single opinion with a grain of salt.

Learn the language and culture early

Language barriers affect safety more than most people expect. If you can't read a sign, ask a question, or understand a warning, you're navigating blind. Start with basic phrases before you move and take classes once you arrive. Learning local customs matters too; many conflicts start as simple misunderstandings.

If your destination's culture is far from your own and your Spanish or Portuguese is limited, check for an established expat community. It's a ready resource for cultural etiquette questions and for help in English if an emergency comes up.

The bottom line

Safety isn't guaranteed anywhere, in Latin America or in the US. But with honest research, the right destination, and everyday common sense, expat life here is both safe and very good. If you want help narrowing down which countries fit your family, we offer consultations at LATAM Plan B.