You know, sometimes I get sick and tired of people who — upon learning that I make a good part of my living as a travel writer focused on Latin America — express their grave concerns about whether I’m risking my life and my fortunes by traveling around this hemisphere. It’s not uncommon to see news reports, after all, depicting horrendous crimes in various countries in Latin America.
But guess what? The United States ranks worse than more than a dozen Latin American nations when it comes to overall safety.
According to the latest Global Peace Index rankings of the most dangerous countries in the world, Syria and Afghanistan are the two most dangerous places to visit. That’s no surprise — and you probably haven’t been pondering a vacation in either of those nations, anyway. What is surprising to some, perhaps, is that United States ain’t exactly the safest place on earth. Far from it, as a matter of fact. The good old USA ranks as the 43rd most dangerous country on the planet. Not very impressive, especially if you’re a globetrotter considering a visit.
The Institute for Economics & Peace produces this annual index, based on measure of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic and international conflict and the degree of militarization. And the rankings will definitely make you think twice before you poo-poo the idea of visiting Latin America. You just might be safer off than where you are right now.
Which Latin American Countries Are Safer than the USA?
Guess what: The United States, at 43, is at its most dangerous ranking since 2012, and has been going downhill for the past two years. It ranks slightly safer than Myanmar, and slightly more dangerous than Armenia.
These are the Latin American countries that are safer than the United States (remember, the higher the number and the lower on this list, the safer it is):
- Honduras (#46; less safe than the countries below)
- El Salvador (#47)
- Guatemala (#53)
- Brazil (#58)
- Bolivia (#70)
- Dominican Republic (#73)
- Cuba (#83)
- Paraguay (#87)
- Ecuador (#89)
- Peru (#90)
- Nicaragua (#96)
- Argentina (#98)
- Panama (#114)
- Costa Rica (#124)
- Uruguay (#127)
- Chile (#136; this is the safest on the list)
That’s right, every single one of those Latin American nations is ranked as less dangerous than the United States. Chile is the safest of all (that South American nation is also safer than South Korea and the United Kingdom, too, I might add).
So does this mean that we can all relax and let our guard down when we travel abroad? Absolutely not. There is crime everywhere. There is danger everywhere. You have to be careful, especially when you’re traveling. What it does mean, however, is that you need be more realistic, and stop letting sensationalized news coverage and outdated stereotypical thinking keep you from having a clear picture about where you should travel.
Would you vacation in Israel (which at #18 is more dangerous than Colombia and Mexico)? Would you consider a trip to China (which at #52 is more dangerous than Guatemala and Brazil)? Or how about a jaunt to Greece (which comes in at #85, more dangerous than Paraguay, Ecuador and Peru)? If you say yes to these questions but you’re still nervous about traveling to Latin America, you’ve got some rethinking to do. It’s time to open your mind, and spread your wings!