img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:100%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}Whether they’re going on a culture-loaded, across-the-pond getaway to Europe, or country-hopping in the sun-drenched Tropics, safety remains the main concern for Americans going abroad.
And can you really blame them? Given the state of geopolitics, with wars erupting left, right, and center, and political instability running rampant in certain regions, planning an international trip has become an incredibly complex task.
Needless to say, Latin America is no exception: though there is a lot to be said about the common misconceptions that surround the region, and the overly negative picture the media paints, it’s true that some destinations are affected by higher levels of crime.
From Brazil’s paradisaical beaches, where petty crime is rampant, to Colombian cities dominated by gangs, Americans must exercise a much higher degree of caution when visiting certain parts of LatAm. Of course, there are always exceptions.
As chosen by the U.S. Department of State, these 4 Latin American destinations pose far lower risks, and one of them might just blow your mind:
Yucatán, Mexico
Mexico is such a popular destination for Americans that the United States has decided to assign different safety advisories to individual Mexican states. While most states are at the gloomy Levels 3 or 4, with a handful under the “moderate” Level 2, Yucatán is one of only two at Level 1.
In plain terms, this means U.S. citizens face no heightened security risk when visiting this particular state, which includes the historic city of Mérida, the iconic Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá, and the charming small town of Valladolid.
For years, Yucatecan officials have taken a tough stance on crime, adopting a low-tolerance approach toward bandits operating in the area. Given Yucatán’s status as one of the safest states in Mexico, it seems the effort has paid off.
Campeche, Mexico
There were 2 Mexican states at Level 1, right? The other one is Yucatan’s direct neighbor to the south, the lesser-known, and equally-fascinating Campeche, that’s become a lot more accessible to visit now with the Maya Train.
If you’re wondering how Campeche gets to be this low-risk, you should know a majority of the gangs and illicit drug schemes operating in the Yucatan Peninsula are centered in the resort strip between Cancun and Tulum, on the Caribbean side.
It’s far from any major trafficking routes, not to mention the local Government has taken a proactive stance on crime prevention, much like Yucatan. This means beautiful colonial gems like San Francisco de Campeche, Hecelchakán, and Tenabo are largely free of violent crime.
Argentina
The birthplace of tango and asado, and home to a rich Hispanic culture, Argentina is the only country in South America to currently enjoy a Level 1 designation. Meanwhile, most of its neighbors can’t move beyond their Level 2 or Level 3 status.
There are plenty of reasons why this Southern country is often dubbed an extension of Western Europe in the New World: Buenos Aires’ stately Haussmann-style architecture and Old World vibe may have something to do with it, but so do Argentina’s lower levels of organized crime and violence.
Don’t get us wrong, it’s not like crime doesn’t exist, but compared to Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, and the like, there’s no denying Argentina is in a much better spot. Essentially, your main concern here is getting pickpocketed or scammed, and in those cases, using common sense goes a long way.
El Salvador
Four or five years ago, we could never have foreseen including El Salvador in a list of Latin America’s safest countries to travel as an American, but here we are. Love him or hate him, Nayib Bukele has come down hard on criminals and virtually purged his country of violent gangs.
The methods were unorthodox, to say the very least, but talk to any average Juan or Consuelo on the streets of San Salvador, and they’ll stop just short of hailing Bukele as a savior. From a murder rate of 38 per 100,000 residents in 2019, El Salvador has dropped to just 1.9 in 2024.
It’s now officially safer than both Costa Rica and Panama, two countries that have historically been regarded as the safest in Central America, and Bukele’s zero-tolerance approach towards criminals shows no signs of slowing down.
It’s only fair to say that the U.S. State Department-awarded Level 1 badge was more than earned.
Vinicius CostaVini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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