Metropolitana de Santiago is the central Chilean region built around the capital, Santiago, a city of about seven million set in a valley between the Andes and the Coastal Range. Beyond the capital it holds the Cajon del Maipo canyon, the pottery town of Pomaire, the Maipo Valley vineyards and the Andean ski centres of Farellones, La Parva, El Colorado and Valle Nevado.
Santiago has low rates of violent crime against tourists but frequent petty and opportunistic theft, especially phone snatching and pickpocketing in the Metro and tourist areas. Natural hazards include earthquakes, winter smog, wildfires on the outskirts in summer, and mountain risks in the Andes. Most visits are trouble-free with standard big-city precautions.
Current safety advisory
Low-Moderate
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Santiago is among the safer capitals in South America, but opportunistic theft is common: phone snatching on streets and the Metro, pickpocketing on Lines 1 and 5, and bag theft at the Plaza de Armas, Mercado Central, Cerro San Cristobal, and Bellavista nightlife strip
Chile sits on a major fault line. Learn the evacuation routes (look for 'Via de evacuacion' and 'Zona de seguridad' signs) and if shaking starts, drop, cover, and hold on, and move outdoors only once it stops; Chilean building codes are strict, and the phone emergency alert system (SAE) sends warnings to all phones
Winter air pollution (May-August) can trigger 'alerta' or 'preemergencia ambiental' days; check the official air quality index at sinca.mma.gob.cl and limit outdoor exercise on bad days
Do not use a phone or camera near Metro train doors or on street corners while walking; thieves on bikes and motor scooters grab devices in Providencia, Santiago Centro and Bellavista
Take Metro or official ride-hail apps (Uber, Cabify, DiDi) at night and avoid walking alone through the Parque Forestal, the Mapocho river banks, and the Estacion Central area after dark
Andes day trips (Cajon del Maipo, ski centres) involve altitude (2,500-3,300 m), strong UV, and sudden weather; go with a registered operator, carry water and sunscreen, and check road status at the Direccion de Vialidad before driving up the Camino a Farellones
Stray dogs are common but typically calm; avoid petting unfamiliar dogs and do not walk through parks at dusk if an aggressive pack is present
Public protests occur in Santiago, usually around Plaza Italia (also called Plaza de la Dignidad), the Alameda, and La Moneda on Fridays and political dates; avoid the area and leave if police water cannons or tear gas appear
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Mustard or liquid stain distraction
Someone spills sauce or liquid on a visitor (or points it out), then a helper offers to wipe it clean while an accomplice lifts the wallet or phone
How to avoid: Wave off all help, step away, keep hold of bags and valuables with both hands, and clean up later in a shop or cafe
Fake police or plainclothes officer check
Two people claiming to be police ask to inspect a wallet for counterfeit money or drugs and then take cash or cards
How to avoid: Do not hand over a wallet or passport; ask for uniformed Carabineros and a police station, or call 133, and walk to a busy public place
Unlicensed taxi overcharging
Unofficial drivers at Arturo Merino Benitez Airport and bus terminals quote high fixed fares or refuse to use the meter
How to avoid: Use the official airport taxi desk, Centropuerto or Turbus shuttles, or book Uber, Cabify or DiDi in the app; always insist on the meter in a street taxi
ATM skimming and distraction at cash machines
Skimming devices or bystanders offering 'help' at ATMs steal card data or swap cards
How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches or malls, cover the keypad, decline help, and check the card slot for add-on devices
Street money changers
Men near the Plaza de Armas and Paseo Ahumada offer exchange at good rates and pass counterfeit or short-count notes
How to avoid: Change money only at licensed casas de cambio, banks, or ATMs and count notes before leaving the counter
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are required for entry for most travelers; routine vaccines (tetanus, hepatitis A, measles) should be current. Check cdc.gov/travel or travel.state.gov for updates before travel.
- Water
- Tap water in Santiago is treated and generally safe to drink. In Cajon del Maipo villages and on trails, use bottled or filtered water.
- Food
- Food safety is good; street food (completos, empanadas, sopaipillas) is generally safe if freshly cooked. Avoid raw shellfish from unlicensed vendors, and wash fruit and salads in sensitive stomach periods.
- Facilities
- Santiago has excellent private clinics and public hospitals; Clinica Alemana, Clinica Santa Maria and Clinica Las Condes have 24-hour emergency departments, and Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Publica (Posta Central) is the main public emergency hospital. Pharmacies (farmacias; Cruz Verde, Salcobrand, Ahumada) are widespread and some are open 24 hours.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 133 (Carabineros de Chile)
- Medical
- 131 (SAMU ambulance)
- Fire
- 132 (Bomberos)
- Coast Guard
- 137 (Directemar sea rescue, for lakes or sea trips)
- General Emergency
- 133 for police; 131 for ambulance; 132 for fire. Chile has no single 112 or 911 number.
- Main Hospital
- Hospital de Urgencia Asistencia Publica (Posta Central), Av. Portugal 125, Santiago Centro
- Embassy Us
- US Embassy Santiago: Av. Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, +56 2 2330 3000
- Embassy Uk
- British Embassy Santiago: Av. El Bosque Norte 0125, Las Condes, +56 2 2370 4100