As Latin America continues to attract record numbers of expats, nomads, and retirees seeking affordable living and warmer climates, safety remains the top concern for those considering relocating abroad. With over 1 million Americans alone living south of the border, choosing the right destination can mean the difference between a dream retirement and a security nightmare.
Our comprehensive analysis of 23 Latin American countries reveals dramatic safety disparities across the region, with the safest destinations scoring more than four times higher than the most dangerous. Using data from leading international organizations including the WHO, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and World Justice Project, we’ve created the definitive safety ranking for expats and retirees considering Latin America.
Latin America Safety Rankings: Interactive Map
The map above reveals the stark safety contrasts across Latin America, with a clear geographic pattern emerging. The Southern Cone countries of Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina dominate the top rankings, while several Caribbean and northern South American nations face significant security challenges. This geographic clustering suggests that regional stability, economic development, and institutional strength play crucial roles in overall safety outcomes.
Top 5 Safest Countries for Expats and Retirees
#1: Chile
Chile tops our safety rankings as Latin America’s most secure destination for expats and retirees. This developed nation boasts a homicide rate of just 5.5 per 100,000 people and maintains a strong rule of law and low corruption levels. While Chile may not offer the rock-bottom prices found elsewhere in the region, expats benefit from excellent infrastructure, reliable institutions, and comprehensive safety across all measured categories.
#2: Uruguay
Often called the “Switzerland of Latin America,” Uruguay earns second place with exceptional democratic stability and the region’s most reliable institutions. Uruguay’s progressive social policies, excellent healthcare system, and educated population create a European-style living environment in South America. The country’s long-standing political stability and transparent government make it ideal for retirees seeking predictable, secure living conditions.
#3: Argentina
Despite its well-known economic ups and downs, Argentina maintains impressive safety fundamentals with the region’s lowest homicide rate at just 3.8 per 100,000 people. The country manages violent crime effectively and offers established expat communities, particularly in Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Argentina’s sophisticated healthcare system, rich cultural life, and European-influenced architecture provide an appealing lifestyle for foreign residents willing to navigate periodic economic volatility.
#4: Costa Rica
Long favored by American retirees, Costa Rica has maintained its reputation as a peaceful haven since abolishing its military in 1949. The country offers a strong rule of law, excellent healthcare through both public and private systems, and a well-developed expat infrastructure with English-speaking services. Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental protection, stable democracy, and “Pura Vida” lifestyle attracts retirees seeking both security and tropical living.
#5: El Salvador
El Salvador represents one of the most dramatic safety transformations in recent Latin American history, now achieving a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 people that rivals Canada’s levels. This stunning improvement in security has been accompanied by virtually eliminated kidnapping and significantly reduced theft. While El Salvador’s expat infrastructure remains less developed than other top destinations, early adopters are discovering pristine beaches, volcanic landscapes, and increasingly safe urban areas.
Complete Safety Rankings
| Rank | Country | Homicides | Rule of law | Corruption | Theft | Road fatalities | Kidnapping | Sexual assault |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chile | 5.5 | 0.66 | 63 | 604.2 | 10.3 | 3.31 | 21.89 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 10.6 | 0.72 | 76 | 3,417.46 | 13 | 0.71 | 8.94 |
| 3 | Argentina | 3.8 | 0.55 | 37 | 686.44 | 8.8 | 0.23 | 14.03 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 16.6 | 0.68 | 58 | 530.13 | 15.5 | 0.27 | 50.08 |
| 5 | El Salvador | 1.9 | 0.43 | 30 | 146.04 | 21.5 | 0.05 | 43.58 |
| 6 | Panama | 12.9 | 0.52 | 33 | 330.35 | 7.3 | 0.2 | 59.55 |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | 9.6 | 0.49 | 36 | 25.15 | 27.4 | 0.93 | 11.83 |
| 8 | Bolivia | 3 | 0.37 | 28 | 41 | 17.6 | 0.38 | 36.07 |
| 9 | Peru | 6 | 0.48 | 31 | 455.16 | 12.7 | 3.67 | 31.12 |
| 10 | Guyana | 14.1 | 0.5 | 39 | 358.43 | 15.2 | 0 | 24.08 |
| 11 | Nicaragua | 6 | 0.34 | 14 | 145 | 13.6 | 0.05 | 15.04 |
| 12 | Belize | 21.7 | 0.5 | 23 | 24.09 | 17.5 | 1.24 | 5.96 |
| 13 | Mexico | 19.3 | 0.41 | 26 | 243.62 | 12 | 0.48 | 18.96 |
| 14 | Jamaica | 40.1 | 0.57 | 44 | 28.25 | 17.8 | 1.02 | 16.87 |
| 15 | Guatemala | 16.1 | 0.44 | 25 | 224.81 | 12.6 | 0.83 | 33.16 |
| 16 | Paraguay | 19.4 | 0.46 | 24 | 455.16 | 21 | 0.32 | 18.63 |
| 17 | Honduras | 25.3 | 0.42 | 22 | 27.15 | 18.5 | 0.41 | 16.93 |
| 18 | Suriname | 29.9 | 0.49 | 40 | 479.65 | 16.2 | 0 | 49.93 |
| 19 | Brazil | 21.1 | 0.5 | 34 | 644.5 | 15.7 | 3.03 | 38.65 |
| 20 | Colombia | 25.4 | 0.48 | 39 | 887.28 | 16.2 | 1.22 | 38.53 |
| 21 | Ecuador | 38.8 | 0.46 | 32 | 111.13 | 23.4 | 15.15 | 33.14 |
| 22 | Venezuela | 26.2 | 0.26 | 10 | N/A | 13.2 | 0.66 | N/A |
| 23 | Haiti | 62 | 0.33 | 16 | N/A | 31.3 | 0.42 | N/A |
Our comprehensive safety analysis combines seven critical factors that directly impact the daily lives and security of expats and retirees. Each metric was carefully weighted based on its importance to foreign residents living abroad.
- Homicide Rate: Intentional killings per 100,000 people – the primary indicator of violent crime risk.
- Rule of Law: Legal protections for foreign residents, fair treatment by police and courts, and reliable property rights enforcement. The adherence to the rule of law goes from 0.00 (weaker) to 1.00 (stronger).
- Corruption: Likelihood of bribery demands, official extortion, and discriminatory treatment of foreign residents in government interactions. The results are from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (highly clean).
- Road Fatalities: Traffic fatalities per 100,000 people – a significant daily risk for residents.
- Theft: Non-violent property crimes per 100,000 people affecting quality of life.
- Kidnapping: Abduction incidents per 100,000 people, particularly relevant for foreign residents.
- Sexual Assault: Reported incidents per 100,000 people, especially important for female expats.
Methodology
This analysis examined safety conditions across 23 Latin American countries using data from seven leading international organizations. We utilized the most recent available statistics, primarily from 2023-2024, with some indicators from 2021, when last systematically collected.
Each country received standardized scores from 1-10 across seven safety metrics, weighted by importance to expat security. Homicide rates and rule of law received 30% weighting each, corruption 12%, road safety 10%, theft 8%, and kidnapping and sexual assault 5% each. Final rankings reflect the sum of weighted scores, with higher totals indicating greater safety.
Countries with insufficient data were excluded to ensure comparative validity. Our analysis focuses on destinations with established or emerging expat populations rather than comprehensive regional coverage.
Limitations: Crime reporting rates vary significantly between countries, potentially understating actual crime levels in nations with weak law enforcement or low public trust in police. National averages can mask substantial regional variations, as specific cities or neighborhoods may be considerably safer or more dangerous than country-wide statistics suggest. Safety represents just one factor in successful expat relocation alongside cost of living, healthcare, cultural fit, and visa requirements. Some countries, like Cuba, were excluded due to a lack of reliable, internationally comparable data.
Sources: InSight Crime 2024 Homicide Round-Up, WHO Global Health Observatory, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, and World Justice Project Rule of Law Index.