The Safest Countries To Visit In South America

From the wildlife paradise of the Amazon rainforest to the glistening glaciers of Chile, it’s no wonder South America is a favourite destination of travellers seeking peace of mind.

You might be surprised to learn that the vast majority of South American countries rank higher than the United States on the Global Peace Index, making most of the continent a perfectly safe choice for travellers. Why not discover South America’s safest countries and regions on a small-group trip led by locals? Read on to inspire your imagination ahead of your next adventure.

An iguana walking on Tortuga Bay beach in Santa Cruz, with a woman walking in the waves in the background

The Galápagos Islands, for wildlife and unspoilt nature galore

You’d be hard-pressed to find a safer location than a remote archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, around 1,000km (620mi) from mainland Ecuador. Crime is virtually non-existent on the Galápagos Islands, where the animal population far outweighs the number of people. As long as you respect local wildlife, most animals (and humans) are perfectly friendly. On this five-day cruise around the islands, you’ll meet giant tortoises, sleepy sea lions and the tiny Galápagos penguin. Accommodation includes a dreamy glamping site in the Santa Cruz highlands and a lovely hotel on San Cristóbal Island.

From US$2499

Next available from 13th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

ENDS AT

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

STYLE

Discovery

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Woman sits on a pathway next to a bike, looking at a streaming waterfall beneath tall, verdant cliffs

Ecuador, for horseback riding, cycling and whitewater rafting

Home to a stretch of the Andes mountains and part of the Amazon rainforest, not to mention a 2,000km (1,240mi) coastline, it’s no surprise that Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Active volcanoes mean there’s always a chance of earthquakes and eruptions, but this is a rare occurrence, and there are plenty of procedures in place for when natural disasters loom. In fact, on this exclusive eight-day trip, you’ll travel right through the Avenue of Volcanoes and get to check out bottle-green crater lakes. Whitewater rafting in the Amazon, cycling the Baños Waterfall Route and horseback riding in Cotopaxi National Park also feature on the epic, action-packed itinerary.

From US$2199

Next available from 9th Mar 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Quito, Ecuador

ENDS AT

Quito, Ecuador

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

View Trip

Additional reporting by Gethin Morgan.

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