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It feels like every day the U.S. State Department is issuing a new travel advisory at the moment!  

I know it’s important to stay safe while traveling in this ever-changing world, and U.S. State Department travel advisories are a great way of keeping up with the safety situation of the country you want to visit.  

You can then use these to make your own mind up about where you want to go.  

So which Latin American destination is the latest to get an update? Chile.  

Here’s what you need to know.  

Why Has The Travel Advisory For Chile Been Updated? 

If you’re thinking of traveling to Chile then you need to know that the U.S. State Department has updated its travel advice due to both crime and civil unrest.  

The main crime to be aware of here is street crime, such as muggings and pickpocketing, which, according to the U.S. State Department, are very common in Chile. 

Perhaps more concerning is their report that violent crimes are on the rise in the country. These include crimes such as assault, homicide, carjacking, and residential break-ins.  

In terms of civil unrest, you need to know that there are occasional large-scale demonstrations in Chile, particularly in Santiago and other cities, rather than in rural areas.  

It’s difficult to plan your trip around these as they often take place with little or no warning. When a demonstration takes place, it can impact public transport services, making the city harder to navigate.

What Does This Mean?

Of course, although this update might sound worrying, it’s important to keep it in perspective.  

The U.S. State Department uses a four-level safety rating system to rank every country in the world.

These range from Level 4: Do not travel to Level 1: Exercise normal precautions.  

Chile has been given a Level 2 rating, meaning that travelers should exercise increased caution.

Level 2 destinations are still considered safe to visit, which means there’s no need to reconsider your trip.   

For perspective, some other countries currently given a Level 2 rating by the U.S. State Department include Belgium, Germany, and the Bahamas. All safe destinations that most people wouldn’t think twice before visiting!  

Still Going To Chile?  

Chile is still considered a relatively safe country to visit, provided you exercise caution and take the right precautions. So there’s no reason to cancel your trip.  

But to help you feel as safe and prepared as possible, the U.S. State Department has given some handy hints on precautions you should take when travelling in Chile. These include: 

• Don’t leave your luggage unattended, even in a locked vehicle.  
• Carry a copy of your U.S. passport with you at all times. Keep the original version in a secure location, such as a locked safe in your hotel room.  
• Avoid demonstrations. If you find yourself near a large gathering, demonstration, or protest find a safe location to shelter in place.  
• Follow all instructions given to you by local authorities, including following movement restriction and curfew laws when applicable.  
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations, ensuring someone at home knows where you are, has your travel itinerary, and your contact details.  
• Follow the U.S Embassy and Department of State on social media, as this is where you will find the information the fastest in an emergency situation.  

This may seem like a long list, but it’s important to remember that these are all just sensible precautions. And realistically, they are the same precautions you should take on any overseas trip, no matter what the country.  

Chile is consistently rated by travelers as one of the safest countries to visit in Latin America. It is also one of the safest countries in the Americas, according to the Global Peace Index. 

So if Chile is a country on your travel bucket list, then you should be aware of this new advisory update, but there’s no need to avoid traveling to Chile right now!  

Tor Brierley

Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.