Is Santiago safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Chile

What the advice says

• The US State Department advisory for Chile is Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution, dated August 19, 2026; this advisory is issued at the country level, not specifically for Santiago.
• The UK FCDO advice, last updated October 9, 2026, is also country-level guidance rather than city-specific, and notes a high global threat of terrorism affecting British nationals and UK interests.
• The FCDO states that terrorist attacks in Chile are likely, with incidents in the Araucania, Biobio, and Los Rios regions tied to groups claiming to represent indigenous community interests, and anarchist groups have carried out property-damage attacks mostly in the Santiago Metropolitan region; travelers should keep bags with them at all times and report unattended packages.
• There is a risk of violent protest in Santiago and other Chilean cities, especially on Friday afternoons and evenings, with the largest protests typically in central Santiago; even peaceful protests can turn violent and police may use tear gas and water cannons, so the FCDO advises avoiding all demonstrations, including around dates like September 11, March 29, and May 1.
• The FCDO describes common crimes such as pickpocketing, mugging, and theft from vehicles throughout Chile, including at airports, churches, hotels, bus stations, viewpoints, and petrol stations, and lists scams used on British nationals such as distraction robbery, liquid-spill theft, staged tire punctures, and hire-car break-ins.
• Santiago airport has specific taxi scams where unlicensed drivers overcharge or manipulate card readers; the FCDO recommends booking official taxis from inside the airport before exiting, paying in advance at official taxi booths when possible, and carefully checking the amount shown on card machines before paying.
• Solo travelers should keep valuables and passports secured, such as in a hotel safe, avoid hanging bags on chairs or leaving phones on tables in cafes and tourist areas, book taxis in advance rather than hailing them on the street after dark, and stay in groups when walking at night.