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 process, although: security ranges can differ drastically between completely different locations. Some are very secure, 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 generally is a tall order. It’s 20+ international locations, in any case! Sometimes it’s greatest to go away it to the specialists, and that is what we’re right here for.

If Latin America’s in your checklist for 2026, listed here 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 attraction 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 as compared.

Violence is a uncommon prevalence, gangs do not usually 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 essentially 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 normal whitewashed facades and colourful shutters, and historic gold mines which can be nonetheless in use.

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

Let’s simply put it that manner: the dramatic headlines popping out of locations like Rio and Sao Paulo do not usually apply on this moderately 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 checklist, 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 adjustments to its skyline because the colonial period.

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

Oh, and when you’re questioning how secure the rather-sleepy Colonia is, Numbeo locations crime ranges at a ‘low’ 31.25. Higher than common for this checklist, however remarkably low for LatAm as an entire. In different phrases, simply be careful for the odd pickpocket if you’re looking for souvenirs on the primary avenue.

Punta Arenas, Chile

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

Maybe it is the sheer remoteness of it, or the robust social cohesion, however apart 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 greatest to maintain the 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, 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.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ international locations beneath his belt (and at present weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that may have you ever packing your baggage.