4 Of The Safest & Most Gorgeous Cities In Latin America For 2026

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Be it for the scrumptious delicacies, the breathtaking nature, or the colonial landmarks, it is no secret that Latin America is the go-to vacation spot for thousands and thousands of Americans.

Navigating the nether half of the continent is not all the time the simplest activity, although: security ranges can differ drastically between totally different locations. Some are very protected, if not safer than the U.S., whereas others you would be higher off avoiding solely.

That mentioned, narrowing down the least-risky, most stunning LatAm spots is usually a tall order. It’s 20+ nations, in any case! Sometimes it’s finest to go away it to the specialists, and that is what we’re right here for.

If Latin America’s in your record for 2026, listed below are 5 cities you possibly can’t miss:

Merida, Mexico

A UNESCO-protected colonial metropolis within the coronary heart of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Merida touches all of the bases:

It has the colourful Historic Center, dotted with centuries-old townhouses and plazas, a hovering stone-built cathedral, which simply occurs to be one of many oldest within the Americas, and most significantly, crime is not an enormous concern right here.

Thanks to Yucatan’s efficient policing and the realm’s enchantment as a cultural destination, as an alternative of a leisure and leisure zone, it attracts far much less gang exercise than Cancun, Tulum, and the like, and it feels much more peaceable as compared.

Violence is a uncommon prevalence, gangs do not sometimes function within the space, and even petty theft is rare. According to Numbeo, crime charges in Merida are formally ‘very low’, with a ranking of 19.97 based mostly on stories from the final 5 years. For comparability functions, Cancun’s is a a lot greater 60.89.

Ouro Preto, Brazil

Perhaps probably the most stunning colonial metropolis in Brazil, Ouro Preto is a hidden gem Brazilians have guarded in secrecy for hundreds of years, and that the majority foreigners are but to find.

Picture cobblestone lanes main as much as ornate Baroque church buildings, with interiors so opulent they’d rival European palaces, Portuguese-style buildings with the standard whitewashed facades and colourful shutters, and historic gold mines which can be nonetheless in use.

There’s no must downplay it, Brazil can certainly be a harmful place to go to, notably in the event you’re unaware of the dangers, however Ouro Preto options among the many most secure municipalities in your complete nation. The proof is within the numbers: the crime fee is 12.50, even decrease than Merida’s.

Let’s simply put it that approach: the dramatic headlines popping out of locations like Rio and Sao Paulo do not sometimes apply on this relatively tranquil Seventeenth-century city frozen in time.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

We know you are in all probability anticipating to seek out Buenos Aires, or one other commonly-referenced Argentinian metropolis on this record, however hey, all of us get it by now: Argentina is fairly protected. How about we flip our gaze to their much less-famous neighbors, the place it’s just as secure for vacationers?

Uruguay is hardly spoken about, nevertheless it’s residence to a picture-perfect historic city that is hardly seen main adjustments to its skyline for the reason that colonial period.

Colonia del Sacramento is a timeless gem, the place each pastel-hued home, cobblestone avenue, and family-run eatery looks like time has rewinded 300 years prior to now.

Oh, and in the event you’re questioning how protected the rather-sleepy Colonia is, Numbeo locations crime ranges at a ‘low’ 31.25. Higher than common for this record, however remarkably low for LatAm as an entire. In different phrases, simply be careful for the odd pickpocket once you’re searching for souvenirs on the principle avenue.

Punta Arenas, Chile

One of the southermost cities on the planet, Punta Arenas is taken into account the gateway to the Chilean Patagonia, and it is typically used as the place to begin for Antarctica excursions.

Maybe it is the sheer remoteness of it, or the robust social cohesion, however aside from being an elegant coastal metropolis with delicate British and Scandinavian influences in its structure and delicacies, Punta Arenas is nothing in need of an oasis of calm.

Tourism is an enormous a part of the native economic system, so authorities do their finest to maintain the town protected and welcoming for worldwide guests. It’s well-patrolled, particularly the downtown space, and the decrease ranges of poverty positively contribute to a decrease incidence of social points.

According to Numbeo estimates, the town’s crime fee is at present 19.89. ‘Very low‘, in their very own phrases, and among the many lowest charges in LatAm.