Chile Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Chile due to crime, unrest, and health.

Crime

• Petty crime is common in Chile. Common crimes include mugging, pickpocketing, and theft. Violent crimes also occur, including assaults, homicide, carjackings, and residential break-ins.

Unrest

Large-scale demonstrations may occur in Santiago and other cities in Chile.

• Demonstrations can take place with little or no notice.
• Demonstrations often result in disruptions to transportation, including public buses and Santiago metro services.

Health

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Travelers’ Health Notice for Andes virus (Hantavirus) in the region.

• The risk for most travelers is extremely low.

This travel advice page also covers Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Heavy rain and severe mudslides in eastern Santiago

The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) has declared a Red Alert in the following areas of Santiago due to heavy rain and severe mudslides affecting the Andean and pre-Andean areas in the eastern sector of the Metropolitan Region:

• San José de Maipo
• Puente Alto
• Pirque
• La Florida
• Peñalolén
• La Reina
• Las Condes
• Lo Barnechea
• Vitacura
• Colina

Follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. Check for updates and safety alerts from Chilean civil protection @Senapred and local officials.

If you need consular assistance contact the British Embassy on +56 (0) 22 370 4100 and select the option for consular assistance.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. If you have onward travel plans within the region, check travel advice for all destinations you plan to travel through. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Chile

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Chile.

Some individuals or groups claiming to represent the interests of indigenous communities have carried out attacks in the Araucanía, Biobío and Los Ríos regions of the country. State actors and businesses operating in these regions are the primary targets of these groups. You should exercise caution and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Anarchist groups have also carried out attacks, mostly in the Santiago Metropolitan region. Attacks are principally aimed at causing property damage. Keep bags with you at all times, as unattended bags might be treated with suspicion by local authorities. Report any suspicious behaviour or unattended packages to local authorities.

This section has safety advice for regions of Chile. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.

You should also read FCDO’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice.

Araucanía Region

There is ongoing civil unrest in the Araucanía Region, especially around Temuco. This includes attacks by groups of demonstrators against both people and property. Be cautious if you travel within the Araucanía Region. There is an ongoing state of emergency in the provinces of Biobío, Arauco, Cautín and Malleco because of a significant increase in violent incidents. The military are assisting regional police. Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Risk level

Chile - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Chile due to ongoing demonstrations, civil unrest and crime.

Crime

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles, can occur in any part of the country. However, you should remain especially vigilant in larger cities such as:

• Santiago
• Valparaíso / Viña del Mar
• Calama
• Concepción
• Villarica
• Iquique

Theft occurs frequently in:

• popular tourist areas, including lookouts
• bus and train stations and airports
• the subway in Santiago
• shopping malls
• hotel lobbies
• restaurants, including patios located near streets
• gas stations and highway service centres

These types of crimes are often carried out using distraction. Pickpockets and bag snatchers work in pairs or groups and use a variety of ruses to divert their victim’s attention. In some cases, thieves on foot work with thieves on motorcycles, “motochorros,” to snatch purses, cell phones and backpacks.

In Valparaíso and Santiago, thieves target rental cars. They puncture the tire of a vehicle, then steal items when the occupants get out to check the tire.

Another distraction technique involves spilling a substance on victims and then robbing them while pretending to help clean the stain.

During your trip:

• be suspicious of strangers approaching you, because they may attempt to distract and rob you
• do not use your cell phone while walking on the street
• keep bags and purses on your lap instead of on the table or hung on chairs
• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• keep a copy of your identification or passport with you
• do not carry large sums of cash
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery

On the road:

• do not leave valuables within reach or in plain sight
• keep doors and windows closed and locked at all times
• do not leave personal belongings unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk

Violent crime

Armed assaults and robberies have increased in recent years. Tourists have been attacked, even during the daytime. Be particularly careful and avoid walking after dark in the following areas:

• around Cerro Alegre and other cerros (hills) in Valparaíso
• in Cerro San Cristóbal park, north of Santiago
• in Santiago: in parks in the Bellavista and Barrio Lastarria neighbourhoods at Cerro Santa Lucia in common tourist areas, such as Plaza de Armas and Mercado Central

Carjackings occur, including as drivers leave their vehicles to open or close gates or wait for gates to open or close.

• Always be aware of your surroundings
• If you’re threatened, hand over your cash and valuables without resistance

Residential break-ins are becoming increasingly common, especially in larger cities when properties are unoccupied.

• Keep doors and windows closed and locked at all times

• Keep your personal belongings in a secure place

Express kidnappings

Express kidnappings, where kidnappers demand immediate ransoms, occur occasionally.

Criminals kidnap the victim from the street or a taxi and force the person to withdraw funds from an ATM or transfer funds online. The victim is sometimes held overnight so that a second withdrawal can be made the next day.

These kidnappings occur throughout the country and are often committed by organized gangs, but they can also be committed by taxi drivers.

• Only use reputable taxi companies or ride-sharing applications

• Avoid hailing taxis on the street

• If you're threatened by armed criminals, stay calm and do not resist
• Do not accept rides from new acquaintances or strangers

Araucanía and Biobío regions

There has been politically motivated violence in some parts of the Araucanía and Biobío regions of southern Chile. In 2022, the Government of Chile declared a state of emergency in the area, which is re-evaluated every 30 days.

Violent protests, barricades, looting, arson attacks and fatal shootings have occurred. Exercise caution if you’re travelling in these regions.

智利风险等级为蓝色（低风险）