Crime in Santiago, Chile

Chile is definitely the safest Latin American Country, it’s even safer than the US! When you are there, you’d never say that it’s Latin America simply because Santiago is a truly European city. It’s rich and developed, the streets are clean, there are no “no go areas” within its borders, the people are nice and friendly, most of them speak English. However, avoid immigrants from other countries (Peruvians, Hondurans, Colombians etc.) because they are generally illegal and up to no good. Most Chileans look European, while all the immigrants have darker skin, eyes and hair, so it’s easy to find out who is who. I am not racist, just saying. Chile itself is like Europe. It feels and looks safe, however, don’t go to unknown districts at night and take precautions, you’ll be fine! There’s just a lot of scamming like everywhere else in the world.

well chile is a very safe country if you do a versus, against other capital in south america, in brazil people could kill you for 10 usd in sao paulo or caracas.... a lot of kidnap of people in other countrys of south america... in chile dont exist that is safe like spain... a bit less, chile is country very safe, whit strong a good police vs, other countrys police are corrupt. the problem in chile are migrant of poor and bad educated, of haiti (the worst), colombia (the worst), peru, do a lot of problems.... well chile have a own crime, but generally if are a chilean thief dont wanna hurt you for take the things more than a kick or punch... of you, but colombians are agresive and kill people whit guns and knifes.... chile is safe... the problems are migrants arrive like 3 years... for bad goberment socialist. well chile is cool country... but like all country you need to be whit eyes open.

I tend to think that if you're a white tall blonde, you probably have much more probability to be mugged in this city that if you're not. Probably, because you have been advised that the city is safe, pretty safe indeed. Just have some precautions and you'll be fine, Santiago is no Copenhagen, but is all much safer than Chicago and it's in a whole different league than every other latin american capital with the exception of Havana.

I worked for 5 years in a hotel in Santiago as a security guard, and i can tell you, tourists get way more mugged than locals, thats because they think they are completly safe of how the city looks, and left things neglected in public areas and such. Local people take care of their belongings, never left their backpacks or purses alone and circulate with them in the front, never in their back. And robbers tend to mugging tourist because they have more valuable stuff. But the most important thing is that 98% of muggers are CHILEANS, so #Daniel, do not say shit about Haitians, Peruvians and Colombians, btw i'm chilean

#daniel- dark skinned Colombians? You think you can distinguish between Chileans and Colombians (besides their accents)? Good luck. Also, take the bus from the airport to the drop off station through the depths of the city - its both more beaten down/ugly, and, with far more 'shady characters' than I've seen anywhere in Colombia.

Chile are a typical south american country but they think they are a european country, there is a lot of hate crime in chile. The irony is that the same people that are from mixed races are racist towards their own kind.

Watch out for a man about 60 years old with a heart operation scar who may try to befriend you at Plaza de Armas. I spent the entire day touring the city with him. Thought it was pushing it but was in a public place at all times so thought I was ok. Then at the end of the day he drugged my drink at the horse race track and stole my credit and debit card (I kept the bare minimal on me just in case this happened). The joke was on him though. When I knew what was happening I tried to go take out money to get a taxi home. But I was so out of it I put in the wrong pin and he made off with my cards without the right pin (thinking he had got my pin). So he paid for the whole day of drinks and lunch and taxis and ended up with nothing. Somehow I ended up in my hotel with all of my shopping bags and belongings and totally unharmed after a free tour of the city with beers and lunch included. I think he was telling the bank teller to take out more money and I was yelling at him and her not to. So must have made a huge scene and had someone intervene. Had my wallet and back up cards back at the hotel so was back in action the next day no problem. I am still laughing at the fact the thief treated me to a full day on the city with food and drinks and walked away with nothing.

Chile is a very safety place. Santiago is between the 50 safest cities in the planet in the number 28. and It's the safest city in Latinamerica. here is the link to The Economist pdf http://safecities.economist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/EIU_Safe_Cities_Index_2015_white_paper-20.02.15.pdf

Yesterday, 10-04-2015, in a crowded metro Line 1, in 30 second, someone took my smartphone from the front pocket, each time I am checking my phone, but I am return shouting there is someone took my phone, noone react ... their big problem in chile, the minority speaks English, and it is considered like a touristic area...

at the same day, I took a taxi, once arrived, I gave 10.000 CLP, the guy told me I don't have change and give me what you have even 5.000 CLP, the right price was 8.300 CLP. He return me the 10.000 CLP I detect that he changed this one to a fake one. I start telling him you are scaming me, but he realised that I will not go out without resolving the problem, at this time, he has a change and he gave me the rest. I took the car number, I went to the police Banquedano plaza de italia, and I realized that they are not cooperative to stop this guy.

I have lived in Chile for 3 years, we live in a poorer neighborhood in Puente Alto and I have NEVER been robbed. We don't own a car and we have kids. Our kids our friends with everyone in the neighborhood and we also have great communication with our neighbors. Neighbors never rob each other and the neighborhoods are very vigilant. Before we did live in Barrio Bellavista and we watched all of the foreigners go out to Pio Nono and party and not pay attention to their surroundings or personal safety at all seriously be vigilant. When you look like you have more money than people here you may get robbed, unfortunately that is the risk of living in a country that is basically a giant "población" except for the wealthier areas. There is a deep down resentment for people that have money and it's no joke. In other words you should be OK if you have a great relationship with your neighbors and just be careful.

My fiancée and I were mugged. We were on a private driver tour, arranged by a luxury hotel, for a wine tour of two vineyards. After the first vineyard, the driver insisted that he knew of a great restaurant by the sea that we would enjoy much better, and then the driver insisted that we take a picture (en route to the restaurant) in front of Armada de Chile... totally caught off guard and not wanting to be confrontational, we agreed. Within seconds someone opened the door and took my fiancée's purse containing my medicine, her passport, wallet, and phone. The hotel insists that the driver is well known and didn't have anything to do with it... but whatever you do, be careful and keep your valuables in the safe at the hotel.

Can you imagine how many people has been stolen in the US..? Can you imagine they writting on a web page like this one, for example..? sometimes experience a few might suggest that an entire country is a dangerous place. Chile is safe for living during 365 days of year, more so if you are coming for a few weeks.