Is Latin America SAFE?

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Get our free newsletter and Live Abroad Toolkit here: ameliaandjp.com/newsletter/ Belize is not technically part of Latin America because English is the official language, but we included it because we get a lot of questions about it and it's a popular place to live in Central America. Suriname (Dutch), Guyana (English) and French Guiana (French) are not considered part of Latin America because the official languages are not Spanish or Portuguese.

Don't worry about that. Saying LatinAmerica is a way of saying. I am an ingnorant gringo who thinks all below US territory is the same sh*t. Latinoamerica only exists in the mind of ignorant people

[@Jeffrey.Blazer.4.20]

Ok, I spent a great deal of time in Brazil mostly Porto Alegre and Rio De Janeiro. I had to chuckle when I heard Amelia say the phrase "Red light district". I spent 31 days there back in 2007 after going at least one time per year from 2001 for 1-2 weeks and had my own website regarding Rio and the "red-light" activities in the Marvelous city. Most of said activities are happening in Termas, which translates from Portuguese as "SPA" but nobody goes there for the steam or showers. These are literally sprinkled throughout the city and are often impossible to notice, because they understand being understated and inconspicuous makes for good neighbors. There is no real concentration of the sex business in Rio, therefore while you may identify a single hotspot, but unlike Tijuana Mexico, there is NO "red light" district. The professional and semi-pro ladies congregate about Copacabana, because it has the highest concentration of Tourists, and if you walk the beach (Avenida Atlantica of which half closes for foot traffic on Sunday) with a camera about your neck, you may well (single males) be approached by the working girls. If a man hops in a cab and asks to be taken to the red light district, the driver will take him to whatever terma (or boate, nightclub) gives him the biggest kickback or perks. Prostitution is legal in Brasil given the rules imposed by law re: age etc. NUFF SAID.

[@LianeSpicer]

Guyana is an English speaking Caribbean nation despite being on the SA mainland.

[@rmcguirephoto]

Although Belize is officially English speaking, 56.6 % of the population (2010) speaks Spanish. (English is spoken by 62.9%, with the overlap due to bilingual people). It's especially dominant in areas close to Guatemala like San Ignacio. Guatemala still claims Belize and they show it on maps as Guatemalan, even if this claim isn't widely recognized. Google maps shows the Guatemala/Belize border with a dotted line, indicating that it's in dispute. I consider Belize to be a blend of Caribbean and Latin American.

[@Sal-nm2fu]

Well the United States ranks at 129th, so keep that in mind.

[@lucchese20]

I visited Peru 🇵🇪, Chile 🇨🇱, Argentina 🇦🇷, Uruguay 🇺🇾, Brazil 🇧🇷 and Mexico 🇲🇽. I never felt unsafe in any of these countries. My observations: (1) “unsafe” varies with time so what was “safe” a few years ago may not be perceived as safe today. One needs to always check before traveling. (2) We never get ourselves into a unsafe situation. Go where there are many people and not alone. (3) US State Dept. tends to be VERY conservative in terms of what is safe. I always apply a little bit of salt to their ratings and warnings.

[@RetireandGo]

I really appreciated this post. i am looking at every one of these countries you mentioned for 2024. Argentina first then slowly work my way North all year. I think the points you make on safety are valid and reasonable. I traveled through very rough areas in Manila and found friendly and curious locals. I also made safe decisions about my travels and when to leave the hotel... when to use taxi or walk and much more

[@williamschweickardt2128]

​@@RetireandGoBrazil Is amazing man, people, food, just take care in Rio.

[@danspencer4235]

@@RetireandGo I don't walk on a deserted street after midnight. Do stupid things, you win stupid prizes.

[@sandrasharby8405]

Been to Perù and I felt safe. Just be aware of your surroundings and don’t bring out your money. Don’t wear gold jewelry or wear your wallet on the back of your pants. You have to be more careful and pay attention. Perù is safe.

[@pelipequi1493]

True, they exagerate the warnings a bit. I know, I really know. When I went to Barcelona to teach at my University's summer program, DoS sent warnings every single day about protests, crimes, and areas to avoid. There was the usual college kid who got their cellphone stolen, but that was it.

[@Mikell-h2c]

73 people shot, 11 fatally, over July fourth weekend in Chicago , just saying

[@obamaphone5412]

Yeah and people call it Chiraq….no one has ever called chicago safe💀

[@augusthallmann96]

go to suburbs ! esp. North , nw and michigan ave. lake shore dr. in city.

[@augusthallmann96]

in gang,drug areas

[@petertosh4748]

I was recently in the Peoples Republic of New York, I did not feel safe there.

[@merchellecham5658]

*cries urine* I woke up my dogs, I laughed so hard

[@Nathavolt]

I'm Brazilian. There are many violent cities in Brazil, just as there are many violent cities in the USA, Europe, etc. The important thing is to know which neighborhoods / places in each city to avoid. There are places that are safe during the day and dangerous at night. For a foreigner to visit Brazil safely, just ask Brazilians, especially hotel receptionists, city guards and police (if you don't know how to speak Portuguese, use Google Translate and show it to Brazilian). Brazil is huge and has many regions and cities very safe as well. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are not the most violent capitals in Brazil (they are more talked about because they are the most visited by tourists). The capitals in the north and northeast are more violent than those in the south of the country. There is a process of migration of violence to the northern region of the country. With measures to combat organized crime in the capitals of the Southeast, factions and militias are migrating to the North. The southern half of Brazil (states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) is more developed and less violent than the northern half. The safest state is São Paulo, followed by the states of Santa Catarina and Minas Gerais (2021 data) and after them comes the state of Rio Grande do Sul. There are many cities and tourist regions that are very safe to visit in Brazil, such as: 1) Cities with a strong influence of German descendants: Gramado/RS, Canela/RS, Nova Petrópolis/RS, Blumenau/SC, Pomerode/SC 2) Cities with a strong influence of Italian descendants: region of Bento Gonçalves/RS (vineyards) and Antonio Prado/RS (considered the most Italian city in Brazil) 3) City with a strong influence of Ukrainian descendants: Prudentópolis/PR (region of giant waterfalls) 4) Cambará do Sul/RS: small town that is one of the bases for visiting the region's canyons (Aparados da Serra National Park). 5) Urubici/SC: small town that is one of the bases for visiting the mountains of Santa Catarina (São Joaquim National Park) 6) Bom Jardim da Serra: small town that is another base to visit the mountains of Santa Catarina and close to the Serra do Rio do Rastro. 7) Coastal cities such as: Florianópolis/SC (island), Bombinhas/SC, Balneário Camburiú/SC, the entire north coast of São Paulo (from Santos to Picinguaba, with emphasis on Ilha Bela), Paraty/RJ, Ilha Grande/RJ . 8) Historical cities such as: Morretes/PR (taking the train that goes down the Atlantic Forest from Curitiba), Paraty/RJ, Petrópolis/RJ, Tiradentes/MG, Ouro Preto/MG 9) Thermal waters such as: Jurema Águas Quentes (Águas de Jurema - Iretama/PR), Caldas Novas/GO, Pousada do Rio Quente/GO, Plaza Caldas da Imperatriz Resort & SPA (Santo Amaro da Imperatriz/SC). However, no cities are 100% safe, so it is always recommended to consult locals about city/region safety.

[@robine6337]

Other countries don’t recommend visiting the USA!

[@Jermathan]

@robine6337 yeah the immigration rate really shows that lol

[@DanielBjorndahl]

I've spent about 7 months in colombia now...never had a problem. Colombians are the warmest, friendliest people I've ever met next to Brazilians. Planning on staying here...

[@RetireandGo]

interesting ! 7 months. is the visa there that long on arrival? im planning a visit in 2024. i would gladly stay longer than 30 days if i can haha

[@DanielBjorndahl]

@@misterniceguy67 it's actually 2 different visits I've done. yes I did 90+90 before and I just got approved for another 90+90.

[@DanielBjorndahl]

@@RetireandGo generally you get an automatic 90 on arrival, and you can apply for the extra 90 days literally as soon as you arrive. I did both extensions in the first month of arrival.

[@veronicajulianadelvalle284]

You don't know Peruvians! a thousand times kinder than Colombians!

[@timmyhumphrey8898]

Peru deserves to be at the top of your bucket list! I go to the country and it never ceases to surprise me, they have the best food in the world and the best landscapes in the region! I always felt safe, it's best to make friends with some locals and always pay attention to recommendations! Blessings!

[@topsrankingslatam9673]

Peru is really amazing!

[@skippyplaysgd]

@@RobustkyGuerrerosAncestrales They’re top 10 worldwide

[@skippyplaysgd]

Same man I’m there right now. Peru is great :)

[@dollhouseq1530]

Is it safe for lone women travelers?

[@JohnMountbattenn]

Peru is my fave place in Latin America!

[@cristophersanchez5927]

I was in Lima and Cuzco in February of this year and the truth is that I had a very beautiful time. Lima is safe in the Miraflores and Barranco area, at night I went for a walk without worries and there were people walking too. It's a night city, there is a lot to do in Lima. I was also very lucky because when I arrived the protests had already ended. I highly recommend Peru!

[@Dhspat]

I enjoyed Miraflores too.

[@debbiejohnston494]

I’m single and recently retired. Dental needs brought me to ajijic, Mexico. ($25,000 usd in the states, compared to superior quality for $3,000 usd! (They have equipment I’ve never even seen in the US!) I fell in love with the beauty, quality of life and the extraordinary people! I’m now a legal resident and in the middle of my procedure. I can live off my social security for heaven’s sake…..try that in Orlando! Best decision of my life. Plus, round trip direct flights to Orlando now! And……no politics!!!! Thank you for all your information and honest takeaways!

[@sharonannelarkin9534]

By "no politics" you must mean that you don't speak Spanish very well. Otherwise politics surround you.

[@debbiejohnston494]

@@sharonannelarkin9534 for sure! I am enrolled in classes though! But I also live in an English speaking bubble!!! 😂

[@chasesquiresecuador]

The state department's levels of warning are always weird to me. In Tampa a 7-year-old was shot dead in a gun battle on a beach this week, just people in a dispute over jet skis and a kid gets killed. Sad.. The State Department in June issued a level 4 warning about an Ecuadorian city I was just in, Quevedo in the same month. Granted, Quevedo isn't exactly a must see for gringos, but I was there. It's loud and busy, but folks were nice. Glad I saw it, won't be back. But I never felt unsafe. I'd feel more unsafe in parts of Florida where people have guns and use them to settle minor issues. Just weird. I found Santiago and Mendoza a little dull. To each their own. Take these "warnings" with a grain of salt. Florida is pretty dangerous.

[@bill3143]

I've thought the same thing. Imagine the State department issuing travel advisories for US cities and states. Would they even recommend visiting the USA at all?

[@chasesquiresecuador]

@@LC-vg7wh whatever, racist.

[@pelipequi1493]

I wondered all over Quito, took public transit and it was super safe. I loved it!

[@ItsNotMe621]

The State Dept. Didn't mention the 330 mass shootings as of July 4, 2023, did they? In just 7 months - 330 mass shootings. We just had another mass shooting this morning in Georgia. Four more people dead. You could probably combine every mass shooting in every other country and the U. S. would have more mass shootings than all other countries combined. IMO, the United States is at the top of the list for most dangerous country OVERALL. People should not vacation here. You're risking your life if you do. It's not safe anywhere. You can be gunned down, anytime - anywhere. School, shopping, restaurants, work, your home...

[@user-f5xt2op9t]

@@ItsNotMe621 The US Department of State wouldn't issue warning to citizens of other countries. These warnings are for American Citizens, traveling abroad; so domestic gun violence is a non-factor when issuing these warnings.

[@LenHealsU]

I had lived in Costa Rica. It used to be so safe, that I felt safer there than I did back here in the USA. Of course that was back in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Unfortunately in the early 2000's things started to change. Although it's still relatively safe compared to its neighbors, carjackings, violent robberies, and other violent crimes are not uncommon. I was an exchange student with Penn State Univ. in 1969 and placed with a family. I lived there several months, made lots of friends and ties, all locals, and went back almost every year for a month to visit.

[@BigSlimyBlob]

It truly depends on where exactly you are in any given country. I spent months in Colombia and, while I took basic precautions and stayed vigilant, I never actually felt unsafe.

[@RetireandGo]

this is a good point as well. i am looking at several latin american locations and the various cities within each country. reaserching and planning for a full year of travel in 2024. that is why this channel has been so helpful to me. Colombia is a perfect example where i am looking at about two different cities to try

[@elcubanito2442]

@@RetireandGo I think Manizales is very safe.

[@danspencer4235]

I don't walk on a deserted street after midnight. Do stupid things, you win stupid prizes.

[@RetireandGo]

@@danspencer4235 truth Not in any country Certainly not in the US haha I’m very careful after dark in general

[@RetireandGo]

@@elcubanito2442 I appreciate the feedback very much

[@jameshaddan8538]

I was just in Peru in May: was in Mira Flores and Barranco districts in Lima, Cusco for 4 days, a 7 day Salkantay trek, and then 2 1/2 days at Machu Picchu. It was fabulous, and I felt very safe. Also the civil unrest, at least in those areas, was not in evidence. I realize that may not be the case in some other areas. I’m off to Mexico City in August, staying in Polanco.

[@carlosespinoza2453]

Civil Unrest is over since mid-march in Peru . The rioters have been defeated

[@kloatlanta]

Ugh, Salkantay did me in.

[@pelipequi1493]

I think that if you stay in that area is fine. The affluent neighborhoods like San Isidro, Barranco, and Miraflores have serenazgo, private security, paid by their local government. Now if you go to dicey neighborhoods, you must exercise caution. I never felt unsafe in Lima.

[@mariescott9853]

Glad to hear Peru is not way down there on the list, because it is the most fascinating country in Latin America to me. Also, safety is increased if you have a local companion. Just makes sense.

[@RetireandGo]

good point. i would like to see Peru next year. there are so many facinating locations there to visit and explore. I appreciate your feedback on this channel

[@maurogotuzzi770]

absolutely ! Peru is amazing

[@JohnMountbattenn]

agreee! Peru is really beautiful

[@merrillkingston8807]

I've lived for more than 17 years in Colombia and to be honest, the only places I've ever felt insecure are near the US Embassy in Bogota and in central Medellin. We live in a relatively small town about 1.5 hours drive from Medellin, not far from the international airport.

[@RetireandGo]

if there is an area of Medillin that you think is best for a first time traveler like me i would appreciate it :-) also , i think youtube viewers would find your life in a small town in Colombia facinating if yo ever plan to start a channel . thank you and have a great day

[@merrillkingston8807]

@@RetireandGo If you want to visit Medellin, the best barrio is Poblado, which is very upscale and safe. I live in the San Nikolas valley, which is southeast of Medellin and there are several smaller towns in the area that would give you a better feel for the real Colombia... Rionegro, El Carmen de Viboral, LaCeja, Marranilla, El Retiro. Northeast of Medellin two great places to visit are Santafe de Antiioquia and San Jeronimo. Those are all very safe places to visit but, remember, outside of Medellin, hardly no one speaks any English so, Spanish is a must.

[@danspencer4235]

@@RetireandGo I was in Medellin this past week. I can recommend a neighborhood and a hotel. I am reluctant to start a KZbin channel, but I live in a place where we do NOT have an international airport. The major cities have crime organized around the incoming money, so in my opinion the cities that can be most problematic for foreigners are those with international airports. I have lived in Colombia for about 6 years and have never witnessed any crime. I would be happy to show you around our town. Let me know if you are interested.

[@RetireandGo]

@@danspencer4235 very kind! I’m in Asia all this year Latin America’s all next year This is the backpacking trip I’ve been wanting to go in for so long Keep in touch and I would love to say hello

[@sheikhboyardee556]

This is rapidly changing. I've been to Colombia many times, especially Medellin. The crime is beyond crazy, especially with the several million Venezuelans that have come into the country. I lived in Venezuela from '90to '94 & it was wonderful. Not now & Colombia is going the same way. My friends widow & daughter just fled Medellin & are living with us. They are glad to be gone.

[@Shmerpy]

In the last 3 years I've traveled through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, and Mexico. Never felt threatened anywhere; had a great time.

[@CondeDuraluminio02]

If you talk about the safe of a country, you are making a generalization, actually if you live in a country for example Peru in Lima, there are districts where the safe is greater than others, because there are some districts that are middle class or upper middle class and others that are below middle class, and the safest districts are the ones identified as middle class/upper middle class and above...

[@brianmagazu]

It's been a while, but I loved Chile and Argentina and never felt unsafe visiting there. I also went to Panama recently, which also felt quite safe. There are parts of Jacksonville where I life in Florida that nobody should visit, and the most dangerous place I ever visited was Baltimore, MD followed by Atlanta, GA. I had a motor-theft experience in Naples, Italy akin to yours from Mexico. It certainly colored my opinion of the city, but being out at night and not paying attention to surroundings was clearly the central ingredient. Great video as always. Thanks guys!

[@OrbitRex6215]

Can’t believe that ranking! Nicaragua is much safer than Costa Rica. My family used to live there, my sister got robbed 3 times, also all the neighbors got home incursion robberies.

[@kevingarrison3135]

Hola Amelia and JP. My wife and I live in Ibague Colombia and really enjoy watching your videos. We've been here 3 years, traveled a very large portion of the country, mainly in our own car, and have never had a crime perpetrated against us. We've traveled rural and big city alike. My wife is Colombian so she is more aware potentially to danger but we simply follow common sense rules here that one would follow in any place where crime is a risk. We don't go out late into dark lonely areas, we stay out of known bad neighborhoods, we don't DAR PAPAYA, meaning no flashing of cash, jewelry, cell phones, etc. We don't go to bars or become intoxicated. People who are victims here are ones who don't follow these rules. Colombia is ranked the 3rd most beautiful on earth, the 2nd in biodiversity, and 1st in birds species. There are so many safe, beautiful pueblos outside the big cities and midsized cities like Ibague have advantages over the bigger places like Bogotá and Medellín. My mother had an Aortic Valve Replacement at 79 on the EPS system and her bill was $2 USD. It's frustrating to rank these LA countries by the measures, resources used to create your video. I know it's a responsible thing to present it that way but so inadequate to present reality. The truth is what would have been most unsafe for me was to keep working mandatory 60 plus hour weeks in the USA!

[@garyelliott3807]

I'm in El Salvador now. Everyone here is/are extremely friendly and I have been truly impressed. You have to get out of San Salvador to see true beauty but I'm glad I came. Uber works better here than the US and travel is easy. I haven't figured out the bus system. I highly recommend you give it a try.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I am currently in Buenos Aires (for a month) and heading to Mendoza next week. I love Buenos Aires, have been here twice, and consider it safe. Of course, use the usual precautions. The currency devaluation works out GREAT for foreigners - everything costs me half what it costs Argentinians because I can get the unofficial Blue Dollar exchange rate. I have been to most of South and all of Central America and not once have I been the victim of crime OR seen a crime committed. Just saying. I have taken buses throughout central America including a humdinger 13 hour ride the length of Guatemala from Tikal to Guat City. No problem. Ever. My rules that keep me safe are: 1) always research in advance and stay in the good parts of town and in 3 star or above accomodation. Not as expensive as it sounds and consider a slightly higher cost as the cost of security. I also will stay in airbnb's if they are highly rated by many people and , once again, in the best parts of town only. 2) Only go to ATM's that are inside banks, preferably international banks like HSBC (here in Buenos Aires), Santander, ScotiaBank, Citi, etc. This greatly increases your security and reduces the chance of credit card fraud. 3)Related, always use CASH, not a card to pay for things - eliminates risk of fraud plus you will pay less. 4)Same as 1) - Research before you head somewhere ie is it safe for me to walk in a particular area, are there ubers in a particular city (always preferable to onstreet taxis), what do I need to be aware of? Don't do stupid things like whip out your iphone 14promax and take a bunch of pics without being aware of where you are and who is around you! Although it never happened to me in Latin America, I had my iphone snatched of my hands in the Lyon, France subway just as the doors were closing - because I didn't expect that would happen there. Crime can happen anywhere - just be aware. Luckily, with the precautions above, I think you can be safe in most places including places rated as somewhat dangerous. In my experience, they are NOT as long as you take some precautions. I have been to 105 countries and have only ever had something stolen in Europe and North America. Just saying, true story. As for Columbia, I walked home in Bogota at 3 am on countless nights -because I was staying in a perfectly safe, northern suburb with lots of security. Don't believe the hype, the world is complicated and the media almost always gets it wrong. Do your research and then don't be afraid, the world is awesome, filled with mostly great people.

[@Sneezyridr]

I checked hotel rates in Buenos Aires…. Yikes!! I thought it would be more reasonable to spend US dollars there.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

@@Sneezyridr Don't pay in usd! Come to Argentina, exchange your money for the Blue Dollar rate (double the official exchange rate) and the price of everything drops by 50%. Using the local currency is the way to go.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

@@Mongoose-ct6us Not at all. Where did you hear such a strange generalization. People are the same everywhere - mostly good a few not so much. I have been all over the world - we're all the same. Culture is just a thin lens.

[@Mongoose-ct6us]

@@BrianBaileyedtech I would like to think we are all the same but most people make it a point to show you how their people are very different than yours because of their history. If you go around saying we are all the same people will start saying you are a racist and not taking in to account their history of being discriminated against. Saying people are all the same and culture is a thin Lens is one of the most dangerous things you can say. People will just assume you are a racist. I know from experience. You can't just say people are all the same. That sounds racist to certain people. Especially if you say that in the United States. Saying "we are all the same" is a sign of being racist to many people. Be careful in the United States to say something like that. Certain people want you to acknowledge the suffering they had and perhaps you didn't. That's why saying "we are all the same" gets people to call you racist or so called racist. Some people have privilege more than others they will tell you when you say "we are all the same'. Not a good choice of words. As far as Argentina I am going by the people I meet. They tend to talk too much without having much knowledge of what they are saying. I would think Chile and Brazil are more interesting as far as the people go. "Culture is a thin lens" will also get people to call you racist in the USA. That type of thing are signs of "white privilege". You just can't say "we are all the same" in the USA.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

@@Mongoose-ct6us How's the weather in Beijing wumao?

[@roadboat9216]

Thanks for the info. I have lived in Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. I have visited and worked short term 1=3 wks in the DR, Puerto Rico, and Argentina. I am a white American. My favorite is Panama. Much better and safer than Costa Rica. The infrastructure is much better. Costa Rica has a relatively poor infrastructure, crooked police,etc. I was in Columbia when it was at it’s worst. 1988-90. And Venezuela when it was strong and doing well in the early 1989-91. But again in 98-99 when it was really going down hill fast. Lived in Mexico in 1999 and again in 2004-7. Never felt in danger in Mexico (but clearly there are areas of Mexico that are quite dangerous), and Panama or Costa Rica. Columbia was very dangerous when I was there but was under the watchful eye of my client. (I worked in entertainment). Also sailed my boat with my wife and I as crew to most of these countries. Loved Cartagena. I have been robed at gun point twice! But in a pretty dangerous country, The USA.

[@carahenken4452]

Currently living in Mexico, and feel very safe and loving it here! I did not feel safe in Costa Rica, and people I know got robbed multiple times there.

[@caddothegreat]

Yes on Costa Rica. I had friend move there about 8 years ago. He had trouble. Then had 48 hours to leave. He came back to Houston area.

[@Mongoose-ct6us]

@@caddothegreat I heard Panama is definitely a better option than Costa Rica for visiting.

[@bobm3477]

@@Mongoose-ct6us I've been to Costa Rica many times, I have never felt unsafe, the people are friendly and fair. Night or day never had any problem. One guy told me "we don't want your camera, what are we going to take pictures of?"

[@Mongoose-ct6us]

@@bobm3477 When did I ever say Costa Rica was dangerous? I just said I heard Panama was a better option because in Panama you don't need to rent a car. In Costa Rica you probably need a car.

[@bobm3477]

@@Mongoose-ct6us Sorry Mongoose, I was just replying to carahenken not you. I can't say if Panama is safe or not, I did find the people renting accommodaton and in hte stores to be unwelcoming.

[@cerirees2238]

Nobody ever mentions Guyana, Suriname or French Guiana. They are like South America's secret garden. :)

[@danandsuch4065]

Correct! Tell us more. Easy, or hard, to become expatriates there? Long residencies per year required? I'm guessing that good medical care for retired folks is not available. True?

[@nztrekker]

@@danandsuch4065 Not been to any of the three. Probably wuldn't recommend Guyana or Suriname. French Guiana is on the Euro for currency and has a robust French presence. Be wary of the high humidity for all three.

[@luannamorillogalvez9826]

Peru is the most beautiful country in South America 🌎✨❤️‍🔥 i never felt unsafe during my stay in Peru! Love Peru 🇵🇪🦙🥰

[@TravisWinchester]

Im from southern Brazil. Been to many countries in the world. Some regions here are very safe, such as the south. Crime in Brazil is mostly in the favelas located in big cities, so the numbers give a bad rep to the whole country. it’s not as bad as Americans tend to think. Search about Gramado RS for instance, it’s a little town in the mountains. All the mountain regions in RS and SC (Serra gaúcha e serra catarinense) are extremely safe.

[@tomdee6819]

I spent a lot of time in Mexico in small towns big cities all over the country still have friends there for almost 50 years never had one problem.

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

We have been in Nicaragua for 4 months and will be here for another 8 before heading to our next stop, Guatemala ( Antigua, Lake Atitlan. And Xela ) ! We feel safe here in the mountains of Matagalpa. Costa Rica….that is surprising to me. We keep hearing reports of increasing crime problems, from family and friends there.

[@markdickenson2885]

Just got back from Antigua(currently living in Costa Rica) I think you'll love it

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

@@markdickenson2885 Hi Mark, That seems to be the consensus. I have only heard one negative comment and that was that there are too many tourists. Ha We hope to be there for a couple months…very exciting !

[@markdickenson2885]

@@therehastobesomethingmoore there weren't too many tourists as it is the rainy season...probably similiar to Nicaragua. I am strongly considering spliting time between CR and Antigua

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

@@markdickenson2885 We are traveling between Mexico and Argentina for 3-5 years in search of our favorite retirement city. Who knows, maybe it is Antigua. We lived in CR many years ago and have family here in Nica and in CR. Nicaragua is too hot for us, even up here in the mountains, but giving my wife time with her family before we move on.

[@therehastobesomethingmoore]

@@markdickenson2885 Pretty much zero tourists here in Matagalpa. I always do long walks around town and always get a few looks like they think I am from Mars. 😂 We just can’t handle the heat of Grenada or San Juan del Sur.

[@gothamparksxvx8763]

I live in NYC but frequently visit Bogotá, CO. With normal common sense precautions, I've generally felt safe. I'm also a big fan of CDMX, and have felt generally as safe as in NYC there, while in some ways it feels cleaner and calmer than NYC. Especially their Metro (which is also far cheaper than NYC Subway). I love both CDMX and Bogotá - could live in either one!

[@ggrape0]

Uruguay is quite safe peaceful and friendly. The main problem now is the drought and need of water.

[@youtubeuserzzzz]

Nice.....I like how JP says "Colombia"😂❤.

[@Bobo_Plantain]

And "Guatemala." But I know it's correct, so I will try to emulate him.👍

[@jamesrenaud592]

Brazil is a MASSIVE country, I believe it deserves a separate video or at least a bit more in this one, it's just too big to describe it painting broad brush strokes.

[@marytica123]

CRIME has really INCREASED in COSTA RICA. We have family there, and they advise us that drug-related murders are spiking. There is also a LOT of petty theft and even muggings of US tourists, and the police forces are INADEQUATE to control them. This is a MAJOR problem in CR - the country has NO military, and has become a "transfer area" for drugs flowing to the USA. The police are too "laid back" and rarely do patrols - only appearing AFTER a crime is reported. CRIME is considered the #1 public concern.

[@lioneldemun6033]

I had my passport and credit card robbed in San José and have also witnessed other foreigners getting robbed. Never again for me.

[@davidcorr-o7t]

They Have Beautiful Chicas!~

[@BlockchainTravel]

It's weird how you just brushed off Guatemala, I travelled to almost all parts of the country this year and is probably the most interesting country in Central America, never felt unsafe there.

[@robinward6232]

I take issue with your uncritical use of State Department recommendations. You place Panama at #6 due to the Mosquito Coast and the Darien being dangerous. They are, but both are unpopulated, remote and inaccessible for all but the most adventurous, specialist traveller. These are not places for expats to live. It would be like writing off France because the sewers of Paris are dirty. There is a reason expats leave Costa Rica and move to Panama. Panama is far safer.

[@robbiePlanetaSano]

I live in Costa Rica. I traveled to Chile just before COVID , just after the massive rioting just before COVID. Concepcion was like a mád Max movie. A friend suggested I check the US travel advisory , it was the same as Costa Rica at the time, level 2. I think I have been in all the countries mentioned except Bolivia and El Salvador. I usually travel alone and I am a woman. I rarely felt unsafe anywhere. Michoacán Mexico was a little sketchy. I would not enter Honduras. Other than that, common sense is useful everywhere.

[@jamesrenaud592]

Chile has calmed down. The political pendulum has moved the other direction.

[@AlexUrzua]

I really enjoy watching you guys giving descriptions of different places with no “evident” bias. I was born in Chile, lived in Argentina, been to Peru, Brasil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Panama, Belize, Cuba and recently to Bogota, Colombia. I also spent 5 years in London (where I met my British wife!) and have visited the majority of west European and Mediterranean countries. I now live near Atlanta after spending 13 or so years in South Florida. I mention this to emphasize my casual knowledge of a few destinations and as you claim, and I fully agree, any place can be safe or somewhat dangerous, it all depends on your approach! I personally like to visit those places people tell me not to go to, cause I grew up in unsafe environments (i.e. Chile in the 70s) and kind of know the do’s and do not’s or so I think (I’ll probably be proven wrong one day!), but like to get a “real” feeling for people and places. With that said though it is imperative that people use common sense (which sometimes is uncommon to find!)😂 I wish you best of luck in your travels and thank you for your contributions. I look forward to bumping into you guys. So far, I’m kind of eager to know more about Manta. Best wishes!

[@reeb9016]

Wouldn't you say your heritage allows you less predatory looks in Latin American countries?

[@RetireandGo]

thank you for your insight on this. you have visited so many wonderful places i hope to see in 2024. i am gathering as much and i can on Latin America this year for the trip. I love this channel as well, they have really helped me plan . im in asia all this year and ready to try new locations in 2024

[@AlexUrzua]

@@reeb9016 Hi, good natural question! In reality I don’t believe it does. I believe “common sense” is more at play when you travel. Like most people from “South America” my looks reflect a strong European heritage and go un-noticed in places like USA. In terms of safety in other countries, please don’t believe what you hear from paid media. Most countries are way safer than they are portrayed (mind you, I said “most”). Some places do require a lot more awareness. Thanks for contributing!

[@Turtlefast235]

I find that ironic AlexUrzua, that after living and visiting all those countries, with various degrees of "insecurity", and yet you decided to settle in the mass-shooting center of the world, the USA!

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I completely agree. Well said. Btw, after hitting 105 countries, I have never been the victim of crime or even seen a crime, except in France where I was pickpocketed twice.

[@kapdolkim1914]

Felt very safe in Panama (2022). I met a lot of people and no one expressed concern about safety. I felt it much safer than many parts of the USA.

[@joewiseman4631]

Great overview! We just got back from 6 weeks in Ecuador and Columbia. In Ecuador, Cuenca was beautiful and temperate. It felt super-safe and people were incredibly helpful and friendly. In general, we walked everywhere rather than using the buses, which always seem crowded everywhere we went in Ecuador. In Quito, we stayed in both La Mariscal and the Old Town. Both areas are subject to pickpocketing and petty crime (think Times Square or the Champs-Elysee in Paris) but just fine if you take the usual precautions for any big city. In La Mariscal, things get pretty quiet after ~8 pm so you are best to take a cab or Uber everywhere, even short distances. In Old Town, you can walk around until ~9 but you need to pay attention as you can quickly find yourself alone. Otavalo, Cotacatchi, and Mindo were all delightful and very safe at all times. I would note that we did not take the local and regional buses in Ecuador but instead took the "buselettas" - minivans that seat 10-15 people - which travel between larger towns. Felt very safe, even when one of them broke down for 90 minutes on the side of the Panamericana Highway. We did not go to Guayaquil but locals from there that we met said that all tourists should avoid or spend as little time as possible there. Even for locals, express kidnappings and robberies are not uncommon - companies are even telling their employees not to wear their uniforms on the way to work to prevent kidnappings. As for Columbia, really enjoyed Medellin and did not feel unsafe, though again petty crime and pickpocketing abound. You definitely want to go door-to-door in a cab or Uber after dark just to be on the safe side. Cartagena (including the Boca Grande beach area) always seemed safe even at night, usually lots of people around and good lighting. Finally, in Bogota, we felt very safe in the La Candelaria neighborhood (downtown) day and night but many locals advised us to be careful in all of Bogota, especially for men on motorbikes who will grab things (e.g., phones, bags) from you as they drive by. Of all the places we visited, Bogota was the one place we felt least safe venturing far from the center. Overall, the vast majority of places In Ecuador and Colombia were safe and people were very helpful. Before you venture out in any large city, ask a couple of locals about your plans, keep your valuables out of sight, only take enough cash and one credit card for your time out (keep pictures of your IDs on your phone), and make sure you are never alone at night. Same rules I've tried to use in over 40 countries including the US and Canada 😀

[@dianaford003]

I lived in Cartagena, Colombia for 4 yrs and felt very safe. We traveled all over Colombia and never had any issues (and we had 3 toddlers at the time). Military presence is everywhere, which is unnerving at first, but then we realized that just gives us extra protection. I felt safer there than I do in many larger US cities!

[@aniceemalley7621]

We visited Cartagena last month almost and we got robbed there. No safe anymore I will recommend Medellín i felt safe there ammore friendly people than cartagena. We will go visit mendoza for future move.

[@DrAlexVasquezICHNFM]

I was in Colombia last month and actually in the capital city of Bogota and felt like the vibe was definitely shifting for the better. We lived there 10 years ago and I think things are improving.

[@Mongoose-ct6us]

Claudia López is not a very good mayor though. Medellin has a better mayor.

[@carolpool5583]

I have been to most of the countries you spoke of. I lived in Chile for 2 years and my husband was pick pocketed on the subway there. He was stupid for leaving his wallet in his back pocket. But aside from that Chile and the southern parts of South America are very safe if you use your head and don't go into bad areas. I traveled quite a bit in Central America 20 years ago by myself and never felt unsafe with the exception of once when I went to an ATM at night in Antiqua Guatemala. I saw people casing me and I quickly got back in my rent car and waited till daylight to go back. Things in Latin America change all the time so your video is timely because when I was there 20 years ago, Guatemala and even Honduras were pretty safe but now things have changed. Thanks for the video updating current conditions.

[@pelipequi1493]

Also, that can happen in NYC or DC where I live. I love Montevideo, Uy, looking forward to retiring there.

[@carolpool5583]

@@pelipequi1493 Yes great country Uruguay!

[@albertorizzotti6244]

Always enjoy your videos. My wife and I vacationed in El Salvador last year, and totally enjoyed it. We felt safe everywhere, though some areas of the capital did not look very welcoming. But outside of San Salvador, the country is a gem.

[@rjeckardt8863]

Great. Thanks you guys. I've spent a lot of time in Mexico (many, many months at a time,) and a lot of time in Peru. I never felt unsafe in these two countries. Even downtown Lima, in the Centro Historico area, which is as beautiful as any European city, seemed very safe, and I walked everywhere during the day and evening. Peru is amazing, especially the sacred Valley and Cuzco areas. Barranco, very close to Miaflores (just a couple of miles away) is one of my favorite spots in the Lima area. It's kind of a bohemian beach town with great museums. and art murals. Enjoy it when you travel there.

[@PaulaVidal-kp7tm]

Yes unfortunately Ecuador has become very dangerous and unsecured in the last couple of years. There are shootouts between different drug gangs, robberies, home evasion, kidnapping express, terrorism, ect. It is very dangerous and unsecured because the violence has expanded all over the country.

[@WaveyaAddict]

To what extent is the expansion you mention touching Cuenca's Gringolandia and El Centro? I always wanted a private residence in the semi-rural 'just outside the city border' area, but that's off the table for now. It's situated in a geographically similar Andean area to La Paz, which I really like but which is a little too expensive.

[@helenefalk500]

I've traveled to many of the countries you mentioned. Chile is my favorite. Taking simple common sense precautions nothing has ever happened to me. And the geography/nature of Chile is amazing for me. High mountains, deep powder snow, glaciers, wonderful beaches, deserts and rain forests. Chile is amazing.

[@GringoAzteco]

Chile 🇨🇱 is a lovely country, however it is getting very popular with expats now and this will undoubtedly cause some changes, probably for the worse unfortunately. USA 🇺🇸 most powerful export is its culture, both positive and negative.

[@804dallasmd]

Chile was amazing I spent 4 days in Santiago and also went on a day trip to Valparaiso! And San Pedro de Atacama was awesome 👏 was there for 4 days as well. Soo much nature !! But it was USA prices for everything !!

[@freerange6739]

I have been to all these countries except Venezuela and El Salvador. For me percentage wise Costa Rica is the worst and the best thieves are in Peru. Even though I have been pick pocketed in Buenos Aires, robbed in Mendoza and Salta Argentina. One of my favorite Latin countries is Colombia

[@estudiantes68]

I almost got killed in Colombia! And nothing ever happened to me in Argentina!

[@gloriasantos8728]

We are from Brazil and we watched the video, Brazil is not the only thing you showed, there are a lot of good people who live in the favela, you didn't know a lot of cool things here, it's not just the favela that exists in Brazil, The people are welcoming here and very hospitable. My mother went to the United States and she was with I was very afraid of public transport, it wasn't very comfortable, it was desperate.

[@paulbarrettpeck6674]

El Salvador is very safe and very accommodating to foreigners. We got a flat tire in San Salvador and people came up to help us, the police blocked the road so we could change the tire, and we were off within a short time. Very friendly. The ONLY danger we noticed was the smaller towns with a single entrance or exit. Some of those are still "owned" by the gangs. They aren't the places visitors go anyway. The new President has done an incredible job of making El Salvador a great stop for Americans.

[@dennispack4119]

My experience says to not pay much attention to State Department warnings ... I doubt anyone from there has ever been out of their office. I travel a lot, and the time I feel the least safe is any time I return to the US, and that’s speaking from experience, as well.

[@robertoaraneda4682]

I’ve been traveling all Arround Latin America, and I only felt secure in Chile and Argentina

[@Mpl3564]

I felt secure in Uruguay, too.

[@JohnMountbattenn]

Peru is my favorite place in Latin America, good food, beautiful landscapes and very friendly people, as well as magical places!

[@Mikey-wo9by]

Canadian here. So I’m retiring in April. My wife and I are starting our world travels via cruise ship from Texas to Barcelona. Our intent is to spend a month in each country we visit. Currently the itinerary is Spain/Portugal/Switzerland (and then have to get out of the Schengen Zone) Montenegro, Albania and Turkey. At that point we’ll reassess as we could go back into Europe for Greece/Italy etc or head over to SE Asia for a Malaysia/Thailand/Vietnam swing. The thing is my youngest daughter is freaking out because we have to fly into the States to catch our cruise and she’s worried we’ll get shot in the three days we’ll be there. She’s fine with all the other stuff we’re doing but the US is downright scarey to those of us unburdened with the need to carry a weapon for “piece” of mind. When we were first planning our retirement we had a truck and trailer and were planning to do the snowbird thing down in Arizona/New Mexico. With the way things are down there now we decided to abandon that plan. Just too risky…plus health insurance is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive for someone in their sixties. Anyway…we haven’t forgotten about South/Central America and in a couple of years we’ll be planning that portion of our retirement. Maybe we’ll see you in Cuenca.

[@RetireandGo]

This is fantastic . i am looking at latin america for next year and asia all this year... in 2025 i plan to jump over the atlantic and start visiting the EU and more northern countries... also eastern europe. I am excited for you and your wifes trip! the cruise to start it all off as well! very nice !

[@millerforester6237]

Are you wearing your new clothes?

[@caddothegreat]

Galveston is fairly safe. Houston I would not trust. Got worse when Katrina refugees moved there. I am 5th gen Texan. Hey one time Canada almost did not let me in as I was from Texas. Had 1/2 hour interrogation.

[@michaelelder3945]

I've been living in greater Monterrey, Mexico area for 6 years now. One of those years, I lived in García, Nuevo León. In one of the houses I rented there, I had money stolen out my wallet 3 times. On the 3rd time, I figured out that someone there had lock pick tools and knew how to use them. I moved when the land lord wouldn't let me install a keyless deadbolt.

[@janefreeman995]

Just some perspective, France Spain, Belgium for example have the same advisory level 2 like panama, peru, ecuador, costa Rica......

[@crosslink1493]

I've been to Bolivia a few times, always felt safe in La Paz and Santa Cruz. People are poor but very friendly, Biggest problem was folks outside of the bigger cities speak regional languages, not Spanish! Argentian is nice, only problems I encountered were in Buenos Aires, and the economy goes through manic cycles of outright depression which makes criminal activity jump up and prices get absurdly high. Their Spanish has a lot of Italian mixed in, too. Cordoba, Mendoza, Bariloche, Rosario, Patagonia region are all safe. Chile was great, best place I've visited down there.

[@carolpool5583]

I lived in Chile for 2 years back in the 70s under the Pinochet regime. It was very safe except if you stayed out past curfew or voiced your opinion about the military dictatorship. I have returned many times to visit my husbands family and it is very safe. The only problem I ever had was my husband being pick pocketed on a crowded subway. He stupidly had his wallet in his back pocket but aside from that I found it very safe and the people amazingly friendly and helpful.

[@RetireandGo]

I really appreciate this informaiton :-) I am planning on a full year of Latin America travel in 2024. from Argentina up to Mexico from January to November. I am watching so much of your channel haha. thank you again !

[@DondiniMontefusco]

I💜 clicked like!! Thank you for this one! Glad you included the level 4 advisory for parts of Ecuador; serious issues going on in those areas❗️If Mexico and COL are next to eac other on the list-going with COL hands down😬✌🏼

[@MarceloBenoit-trenes]

Uruguay border with Brazil is safe. It is a lot different than border with Paraguay.

[@geneconroy7795]

My wife and I are going to Merida (Yucatan) & Huatulco, Mexico as a retirement hub... These are two of safes cities in ALL of Mexico. Both have gorgeous coastline/beaches/bays... both are extremely affordable too! We'll decide soon but we are leaning towards Huatulco (clean/safe/and you can drink their tap water.... only time will tell.

[@59simonh]

Fantastic update. That's why we follow the vloggers not local news. Thank you for that.

[@bobbythespaceghost51]

For me, SAFETY is vital for me. I am leaving next year. Depending on the day, I either want to move to the Philippines or somewhere safe in Latin America. This is great information. Thank you so much.

[@jb-qi8fz]

Before the U.S. state dept. trashes other countries, they should look in their own back yard. Also, in regard to your previous video expressing your shock at U.S. prices, I just came back to the U.S. for the first time in 7 years. To say that I was shocked, can not come close to describing what I felt. The cost of living can only be described as the worst nightmare come true. Thank God I will be out of here in 2 more weeks. The one guarantee I can make is that I will never ever return here even for a 5 minute stay.

[@Kevin-et5zs]

Miraflores and Barranco are both very nice, in Lima, Peru. Downtown Lima is not recommended. Regarding Chile, some areas in Santiago should be avoided, but Los Condes is nice, and my favorite neighborhood there is Barrio Lastarria. I lived in Vina del Mar, which is very cool, especially the ponientes, neighborhoods beachside. Valparaiso, which is mostly not a nice place. There are bad neighborhoods in each, and twice I was almost the victim of pickpockets. With respect to Argentina, my friends moved out of Mendoza after their home was robbed in broad daylight, literally thieves broke in and stole everything! The countryside is nice there. In Buenos Aires, I acted like a tourist and hung out in Recoleta and Palermo. In Nicaragua I really liked Grenada and San Juan del Sur. In Costa Rica I suggest visiting Dominical, I liked Jaco but I understand it's quite a bit more expensive now. In Honduras, I can honestly say you should avoid the mainland if you can help it! I also liked Roatan, but stayed in the West End. In Guanaja I lived near Savannah Bight, a nice small town, and I really enjoyed Utila! Those are the three Bay Islands you might like to visit, though there are others.

[@Julifermon]

Glad my country is in first place, of course you have to be careful like in everywhere in the world! 🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷everybody Welcome!

[@mlsaulnier]

I lived 11 years in Chile and there is no way that it is that high on the safe list. Just recently there were tons of protests, and the level of petty crime is huge. I have travelled to 103 countries in the world, robbed three times and 2 of those were in Chile. Don't get a false sense of security there - you have to be vigilant with your belongings there - I am now living in Ecuador and it is not nearly as bad.

[@jamesrenaud592]

I live in Chile and have not been robbed in years......but I live outside of Santiago.

[@mlsaulnier]

@@jamesrenaud592 Yeah if you go to any of the bigger cities - like Santiago and Antofagasta or even Valparaiso, it's bad. So many thieves.

[@loboar2808]

Es verdad que Chile está empeorando, pero Ecuador es el país más inseguro de sudamerica después de Venezuela a día de hoy.

[@benjazamoranoerazo2584]

Your experience is not what the numbers say. I live in Santiago and i never been robed, NEVER. Just take the normal safety precautions.

[@Mexicobeanpole]

I lived in South Florida for 45 years. Up and down the east coast. I never felt unsafe there until the last 10 years. I would regularly walk into a store and look to see where I would escape if a mass shooting happened. This was not something I would have ever dreamed thinking 40 years ago. There is a simmering hatred brewing there of a certain mindset that hates anyone that’s not white. I’m not exaggerating one bit. I moved to Mexico, and I can honestly say, those type things never cross my mind. Petty theft is the worst thing I ever think about. Someone stole a gas can from our shed once. I’ll take it!!!!!

[@chrishagins3309]

I've been to Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. A cop in Playa del Carmen attempted to shake me down but fortunately I didn't have any cash on me so they just went through my wallet and let me go. Otherwise I felt safe. There was an overly aggressive pan handler in San Jose, Costa Rica that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up for a few seconds but I simply crossed the street to a more well lit area and he left me alone. I felt completely safe in all of the other places I visited and enjoyed them without incident.

[@Tim21189]

I lived in Colombia and Costa Rica. Never felt unsafe in either. Just practice common sense and basic safety, as you would anywhere in the world. You’ll be fine.

[@bettyhopper6350]

I enjoyed Merida and stayed 2 months. Easy, felt very safe. Also try Morelia if you like the larger cities or Patzcuaro for a small interesting place. You can take a day trip to Patzcuaro where i lived for 3 years.

[@FreeInPanama]

Something is wrong with your ranking. We do live in Panama for 10 years and admit that more serious crime exists in parts of the country. But overall we met here lots of expats who moved here from Costa Rica, and they all repeat the same comment when asked WHY: high crime, while they feel way safer in Panama.

[@augustoc.arizabal2056]

Please, Brazil is part of Latin America. This term is referred to all nations in the Americans that have been conquered by a European Latino background, Spain and PORTUGAL basically. Research about that. Brazil is part of Latin America but NOT part of Hispanic America, that is the term used for the countries in the Americas that were explored and conquered by Spain.

[@w_w_whitey]

Interesting to see you moving around more. Love the t-shirt JP! We spent 3 months in Buenos Aires this year and really enjoyed it - felt very safe. We spent a few days in Uruguay too - even safer but too expensive. Next year, back to Colombia.

[@utubes720]

The US media does the same thing about San Francisco and other cities. I visit those "on fire" cities and we have a great time with zero serious issues.

[@warrenr.johnson7990]

I have lived in Boquete, Panamá an Cuenca, Ecuador and felt very safe in both.

[@joseCalderon1976]

Good stuff. I'm from Central America (Nicaragua) and I see myself living there half of the year, then coming back to the US the other half of the year in my paid off house.

[@gauchoparaguayo]

Too cloudy and rainy in highland Ecuador. Too much crime, ferral dogs, noise at night when you are sleeping.

[@davidholden4543]

Thanks for the content! Saludos 🇨🇷 = Pura Vida!

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Con gusto! 🥳

[@michaeldorsett8807]

I have lived in Colima, Colima, Mexico for 8 years. I give it a thumbs up because I have learned about the country, the people, and the culture. I have been to many other countries during my military tour and Mexico is the easiest to adapt to.

[@michaelkashevarof9274]

My wife is Colombiana, I'am from USA Alaska, I have never felt unsafe in Colombia, and we are looking to buy a home in Santa Marta one day. I had to chuckle a little at the USA ratings because a few years ago Alaska/Anchorage was one of the top 10 dangerous cities in the USA for murders though our population ratio is the smallest in the country, I have never felt unsafe here and I believe the percentages can manipulated... Love your channel.

[@chipwilliams403]

Ive been to Ecuador twice and always felt very safe. I was in Quito, Cuenca, Otovalo and Cotacachi. My favorites were Cuenca and Cotacachi. On the last trip, I also went to Peru to Lima and Cusco and also felt very safe there as well. You just have to be very careful and stay in safe areas. I plan to go back to Ecuador next summer (2024).

[@RetireandGo]

Cusco in Peru and a few cities in Ecuador are on the list for next year. I am interested and appreciate this feedback from the comments and all the help and information i get on this channel. Thank you!

[@josebastidas4972]

You forgot to go to Guayaquil in Ecuador ..... a hole different story Down there 😮

[@susannejensen8087]

Been to Mexico (have residency), Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Ecuador. The only country we did not like and felt like we had to watch our backs was Belize. We traveled around Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvadore and Belize by motorhome from Canada. The other countries we had a rental car and traveled around each country.

[@caddothegreat]

I sure agree about Belize. Watch your back.

[@jimgriffiths9071]

One of your top videos. Excellent, common sense commentary. Media makes money by sensationalism. It has little to do with actual truth and traditional journalistic integrity.

[@CAMcCoy]

You should def. go to Arequipa while in Peru; and in Lima, don’t miss San Isidro (next to Miraflores) and Barranco (a bit more dangerous but very bohemian cool with great breweries, cafes and restaurants). Also go north to Peruvian beaches near Mancora & Tumbes.

[@CAMcCoy]

I should have mentioned that on the whole we feel pretty safe in Peru, but that said, there are some neighborhoods we never bring our phones to, as there are loads of armed robberies at gunpoint. None of us have experienced one of these first hand thankfully. Just use common sense, it is really not much different than Ecuador, where we have visited and traveled extensively (also with no incidents).

[@myleshoenig8391]

Visited Huatulco in Mexico. Hope to go back and perhaps re-locate to there. Felt very safe. Also enjoyed our stay in Cotacachi/Otavalo, Ecuador.

[@Xrusader]

I visited Guatemala for the first time in March this year. I absolutely loved my time there - my second favorite vacation ever. I'm surprised it's not big with expats. I imagine health care is a factor in many areas. Lot of hills as well - so if you're not in good walking shape, that could be an issue.

[@missmomus]

There are many expats in Antigua and Lake Atitlan...not just gringos but from all over the world

[@mogain9258]

I visited expat relatives in Guatemala in 2015, I was surprised to hear them say it's not popular with expats, I saw plenty of them around Antigua and Lake Atitlan.

[@SergioSchvezov]

I have been living in Santa Catarina for the past 2 years. In the interior, and it is a really safe state. My wife walks alone during the night, something she never did where we lived before.

[@stacywilson1540]

This was great content! Very well done! 👏 Thank you for all you do to keep aspiring expats like me informed.

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Thank you!

[@existential-solutions3305]

I was in Brazil for 3 months in Río de Janeiro tourist areas, not favelas (shanty towns), São Paulo main street market and the subway at rush hour, and I felt safe ten years ago. I was also working in some NE Brazilian areas where poor fishermen with families of 9 kids living in a mud house with barely enough food to survive live along the Atlantic ocean in Salvador, Bahia & close to São Luis, Maranhão, and I did not have any issues, although I am aware there is a lot of poverty and misery there, including domestic violence, thefts, crime, etc. I was living low profile working with mission organizations to help and teach English, computing, dancing, capoeira, etc. with some churches that are helping out in those NE poor regions, while the SE part of the country is wealthier and more developed. I also lived in Mexico 3 years back in the '80s, when everything was safer, but things have changed now with the narco tráfico (mafia), although most tourist areas are safe, but do not venture into the country anywhere. The state of Yucatán (Cancún, Merida, Playa del Cármen) was safe, but the mafia is gaining territory, although maybe not as much in the very touristic areas. I was in Bucerías in the Puerto Vallarta region in January 2024, and felt very safe. No major issues, just a lot of people still struggling with the bare minimum and living in misery next to tourists purchasing a million dollars condo or house next to Native Nahual kids with no flip flops out of school, selling on the beach and streets all day with minimal results.

[@jsmith85333]

Northern Argentina, Way southern Brazil and East coast Uruguay. Had a blast, very friendly and some people I was frightened by turned out to be questioning me with regards for my safety. Going back first chance.

[@RetireandGo]

hmmm these three all sound pretty good actually. north argentina, eastern Uruguay and then the southern brazil areas. could i fly into Uruguay and use it as a home base? then just make short hops norht and south? maybe even bus to nearby countries or too far?

[@MarceloBenoit-trenes]

@@RetireandGo yes, you can.

[@jacquelinea.7575]

@@RetireandGoto Bs As u can go by ferry in a few hours. To Brasil depending where u go u might have to fly or a take a bus if it is close to the border. Brasil is huge. Within Uruguay, buses go everywhere, longest trip, probably 8 hours. Like Rivera-Livramento, two cities in one… half on the Uruguayan side, half in the Brazilian side. Trip to hot Springs around 6 hours from Mdeo, to the northwest side of the country, bordering with Argentina. Colonia del Sacramento, world heritage is a couple of hours from Mdeo and across BsAs, you have a ferry there too, to go to BsAs

[@RetireandGo]

@@jacquelinea.7575 thank you for this information! I think Uruguayan towns will be fun to venture through

[@WaveyaAddict]

I have also spent time in the larger city of Curitiba, Brazil and, intentionally in the not so nice sections thereof. The Central Historic district was always very safe feeling during the day. I didn't venture far from the hotel at night, and again only with a group. The more impoverished areas we visited were clearly unsafe and you would only want to go there escorted by someone who has an "in" and a good reason for being there. All that said, I found Curitiba a very beautiful place and could probably find the right space to reside there.

[@RetireandGo]

would you suggest Curitiba for a first time traveler like me going next year? I am looking at several countries and cities within them. I am not sure where in Brazil to go yet and i always appreciate the feedback

[@WaveyaAddict]

@@RetireandGo based on my limited experience, yes I would recommend Curitiba. If you 5ake one of the open top deck bus tours and you can get off and on again at various points for some nice sightseeing and in the meantime get a nice view of the city.

[@kevinwilliams8033]

@@RetireandGo my fam and I lived there for a little while, it’s a solid city, we are thinking about going back

[@northattitude4658]

Thanks for this informative video. I agree with what you are saying about those reports. They always make it seem like the whole country is prone to high crime. I spent 1 month in Argentina last january, in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia and felt completly safe and I am a solo woman traveler. However, I do not go to bars and am home before 8 pm usually 😊

[@AmeliaAndJP]

Exactly! 👍

[@buckchile614]

We went to Cali 2 months ago; we were ushered around by locals & felt safe AF

[@gregorylunsford3991]

First - Really like your Video's , good useable information. I'm retired and not Happy with how things are in USA. I'm looking at 3 Countries - 1. Mexico( been their 10 times) 2. Costa Rica - been 2 times and 3. Thailand - going this fall - Many Expat's from Europe and Australia.

[@martypoll]

I’ve always felt safe in Thailand whether in Bangkok or the countryside. I’ve lived here 6 years.

[@CassieDavis613]

You two are stylish! Thanks for the global peace index info.

[@ArielOpitz-t9z]

Im chilean and my fiancé is from texas,She mostly felt at home here in santiago,big malls,stores and delivery services, the biggest concern is not a cheap destination

[@sandrabedard7848]

We have lived in Costa Rica for over 2 years and have never felt unsafe. We live among the locals and have never had any issues. All our friends are locals. We feel safer here than we ever did in USA. People come here and flash their $$ and jewelry and wealth what would anyone expect?? Our crime has NOT increased like the USA has said. Like any place you have to have common sense. We love our lives here and wouldn't leave back to USA. Every place on the planet has crime in our world today. Our friends go to Guatamala every year and they are seniors and they love it there in fact they just got back from being there 2 weeks ago. They will be going back next year again