Many Chileans believe assaults, rapes, homicide, and crimes against property are increasing, but Chile is a safe country by most standards. According to one United Nations study, Chile has one of the world’s lowest robbery rates, only slightly more than Jordan (Bahamas has the highest).

Most crimes are crimes of opportunity. Never leave luggage unattended, be sure to store valuables in the hotel safe, keep watch on your belongings at sidewalk cafés, and carry a photocopy of your passport with the date of entry into the country. Do not carry large amounts of cash (money belts or leg pouches are good alternatives for hiding cash), leave jewelry at home, and keep conspicuous items such as photo and video cameras out of sight as much as possible. Do not presume that any area is totally secure.

If you should be accosted by anyone with a firearm or other potentially lethal weapon, do not resist. While guns are uncommon—knives are the weapon of choice—and truly violent crime is unusual, the consequences of a misjudgment can be fatal.