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Safety & Security
Santiago is the safest major capital in South America. Expat neighborhoods like Providencia, Las Condes, and Vitacura have low violent crime rates, though petty theft and vehicle break-ins require the usual urban vigilance.
- Providencia, Las Condes, Vitacura, and Ñuñoa: considered safe for day-to-day expat life — petty theft is the primary concern
- Santiago Centro at night and peripheral neighborhoods (La Pintana, San Bernardo outer areas): exercise more caution; not typical expat zones
- Phone snatching on motorcycles: increasing in Santiago — keep phones in your bag on busy streets and in taxis
- Vehicle break-ins: common throughout the city — never leave valuables visible in a parked car
- Protests: Chile has experienced periodic large-scale protests since 2019; generally concentrated in Plaza Italia (now Plaza Dignidad) and Santiago Centro — avoid these areas during demonstrations
- Ride-hailing: Uber, Cabify, and inDriver are safe and widely used — preferred over hailing street taxis
- Emergency number: 133 (Carabineros/police), 131 (SAMU medical emergency), 132 (fire brigade)