Crime and personal safety

Many parts of South America suffer from high levels of poverty, which often goes hand in hand with crime problems. The risks in much of the continent are magnified by the international media, but shouldn’t be ignored. Try not to be paranoid, though: the vast majority of people who visit South America do so safely.

In general, cities are more dangerous than rural areas, although the very deserted mountain plains can harbour bandits. Many of the working-class barrios of big cities are “no-go” areas for tourists, as are the marginal areas near them. One of the biggest problems in urban areas is theft, and bag snatching, handbag slitting and occasional armed robbery are problems in cities such as Buenos Aires, Caracas, Lima, Rio, Salvador, Recife, Georgetown, Quito and Cusco.

Take particular care on the street, in taxis and in restaurants and bars. Any unsolicited approach from a stranger should be treated with the utmost suspicion, no matter how well dressed or trustworthy they may look. There are obvious preventative measures you can take to avoid being mugged: avoid isolated and poorly lit areas, especially at night; never walk along a beach alone at night, or even in a pair if female.

Keep a particular eye out in busy areas and watch out on public transport and at bus stations, where pickpocketing is rife. If travelling by bus, keep your valuables in your carry-on luggage rather than stowing them below with your backpack. Make sure that you are given the numbered receipt corresponding to your bag. If you need to hail a taxi, get someone at your hotel to recommend one, or hail a moving one – never get into a “taxi” that just happens to be parked at the kerbside or which has two drivers. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery and watches, dress down, and keep cameras out of sight.

Car-jackings can also be a problem, particularly in certain areas of Brazil. When driving in the city, keep doors locked and windows closed, particularly at night, and be especially vigilant at traffic lights. Kidnapping of tourists in South America is extremely unlikely.

After decades of civil war, the security situation in Colombia has improved in recent times, though there are still flare-ups: in general the areas mentioned in this guide are safer than for many years. Venezuela, however, was extremely volatile at the time of research; check the latest travel advice before planning a trip here.

Drugs

Ultimately, the key message is: just say no. In South America drug trafficking is a huge, ugly and complicated enterprise, and large-scale dealers love to prey on lost-looking foreigners. Don’t let anyone else touch your luggage, be sure to pack it yourself and don’t carry anything – no matter how innocuous it may seem – for anyone else. You will find that drugs, particularly marijuana and cocaine, are fairly ubiquitous in the region, but you should be aware that they are illegal and that punishments are severe. Uruguay has reformed its drugs laws, but marijuana remains illegal for visitors to buy. Tourists are likely to come off much worse than locals at the hands of the South American police, something of which the dealers and pushers are very aware. If you happen to visit a region famed for drug trafficking, stay well away from anything that looks (or smells) like trouble.

The only legal high on sale to foreigners in South America is the leaves of coca (locals will be keen to point out it has nothing to do with chemically produced cocaine), which are particularly popular in Bolivia and Peru. They are usually used to make mate de coca, a hugely popular tea in the Andes, and one that’s claimed to cure altitude sickness (among other things). Some people chew the leaves as this is meant to produce a mildly intoxicating state, but the taste and texture may well convince you that you can do without the alleged high. If you want to try mate de coca or chewing on coca leaves, be aware that there is a possibility that you could test positive for cocaine use in the weeks following your trip. Do not take any leaves out of the country as they may be illegal elsewhere.

Reporting crime

In case you are mugged or robbed, you should make sure that you have a photocopy of your passport and plane tickets in a safe place. Call the local police immediately and tell them what happened. It’s likely that they won’t do much more than take a statement, but you’ll need it for insurance purposes. In some South American countries there is a special “tourist police” force, used to dealing with foreigners and, hopefully, able to speak English.

Women travellers

Though violent attacks against female travellers are uncommon, many women find that the barrage of hisses, hoots and comments in parts of South America comes close to spoiling their trip. On the whole, South American men are not renowned for their forward-thinking attitudes towards women’s emancipation, and genuinely see nothing wrong with the heady sense of machismo that rules much of the continent.

There are some measures you can take to minimize how much you’re hassled. Going to bars or nightclubs alone is often only undertaken by sex workers in the region, and you may be considered fair game if you do so. If you are approached and feel uncomfortable, try to calmly and politely make it clear you’re not interested (in Spanish “no estoy interesada” or “não estou interessada” in Portuguese). It’s sometimes easier to invent a boyfriend or husband than to get into a protracted dispute. Watch how the local women behave and where they go, and never be afraid to ask for help if you feel lost or threatened.

Budget tips

Youth and student discounts

Various official and quasi-official youth/student ID cards are available and are worth the effort to obtain: they soon pay for themselves in savings. Full-time students are eligible for the International Student ID Card (ISIC; Imageisiccard.com), which entitles the bearer (any student no matter their age) to special air, rail and bus fares and discounts at museums, theatres and other attractions. For Americans, there’s also a health benefit, providing up to US$300,000 in emergency medical care, plus a 24hr hotline (Image1 800 353 1972).

You have to be 26 or younger to qualify for the International Youth Travel Card, which carries the same benefits. Teachers qualify for the International Teacher Card, offering similar discounts. All these cards are available from student travel specialists including STA.

Going to remote locations alone may also increase the risks, and if you go as part of an organized visit, check the credentials of the tour company. However, if you are attacked, you should not only get medical attention and go to the regular police, but also contact the tourist police and your country’s embassy.

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