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 at all times the best activity, although: security ranges can range drastically between completely different locations. Some are very secure, if not safer than the U.S., whereas others you would be higher off avoiding completely.

That mentioned, narrowing down the least-risky, most lovely LatAm spots is usually a tall order. It’s 20+ international locations, in spite of everything! Sometimes it’s finest to depart 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’ll be able to’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 a substitute 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 compared.

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

Ouro Preto, Brazil

Perhaps probably the most lovely colonial metropolis in Brazil, Ouro Preto is a hidden gem Brazilians have guarded in secrecy for hundreds of years, and that almost all 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 normal 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, significantly for those who’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 price is 12.50, even decrease than Merida’s.

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

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

We know you are most likely anticipating to search 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 secure. 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 house to a picture-perfect historic city that is hardly seen main modifications to its skyline because the colonial period.

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

Oh, and for those who’re questioning how secure 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 a complete. In different phrases, simply be careful for the odd pickpocket once you’re purchasing for souvenirs on the primary road.

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 usually used as the start line 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 wanting an oasis of calm.

Tourism is an enormous a part of the native economic system, so authorities do their finest to maintain town secure 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, town’s crime price is presently 19.89. ‘Very low‘, in their very own phrases, and among the many lowest charges in LatAm.