4 of the safest and most beautiful cities in Latin America for 2026

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Whether it’s the delicious cuisine, breathtaking nature or colonial sights, it’s no secret that Latin America is the destination of choice for millions of Americans.

However, navigating the lower half of the continent is not always the easiest task: safety levels can vary drastically between different destinations. Some are very safe, if not safer than the US, while others are better avoided altogether.

That said, narrowing down the least risky and most beautiful LatAm spots can be a challenge. After all, it’s more than 20 countries! Sometimes it’s best to leave it to the experts, and that’s why we’re here.

If Latin America is on your list for 2026, these are it 5 cities you shouldn’t miss:

Merida, Mexico

A UNESCO-listed colonial city in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Merida touches all the bases:

It has the colorful historic center, dotted with centuries-old mansions and plazas, a towering stone cathedral, which happens to be one of the oldest in America, and most importantly, crime is not a big problem here.

Thanks to Yucatan’s effective police force and the area’s attractiveness as a police force cultural destination, rather than a leisure and entertainment zone, it attracts much less gang activity than Cancun, Tulum and the like, and it feels a lot more peaceful in comparison.

Violence is rare, gangs are generally not active in the area and even petty theft is uncommon. According to NumbeoMerida’s crime rate is officially ‘very low’, with a score of 19.97 based on reports from the past five years. By comparison, Cancun’s is a much higher 60.89.

Ouro Preto, Brazil

Perhaps Brazil’s most beautiful colonial city, Ouro Preto is a hidden gem that Brazilians have secretly guarded for centuries, and that most foreigners have yet to discover.

Picture cobbled streets leading up to ornate baroque churcheswith interiors so opulent they rival European palaces, Portuguese-style buildings with the traditional whitewashed facades and colorful shutters, and historic gold mines still in use.

No need to downplay it, Brazil can It can indeed be a dangerous place to visit, especially if you are not aware of the risks, but Ouro Preto is among the risks safest municipalities across the country. The proof is in the numbers: the crime rate is 12.50, even lower than Merida’s.

Let’s put it this way: the dramatic headlines from places like Rio and Sao Paulo generally don’t apply to this rather quiet 17th-century city frozen in time.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

We know you probably expect to find Buenos Aires, or another much-discussed Argentine city, on this list, but hey, we all get it now: Argentina is pretty safe. What if we turn our gaze to them fewer-famous neighbors, where it is just now so safe for travelers?

Uruguay is almost never talked about, but it is home to one beautiful historic city which has hardly seen any major changes in its skyline since the colonial era.

Colonia del Sacramento is a timeless gem, where every pastel-colored house, cobblestone street and family-run eatery feel like time has been turned back 300 years.

Oh, and if you’re wondering how safe the rather sleepy Colonia is: Numbeo places the crime figures at a ‘low’ 31.25. Higher than average for this list, but remarkably low for LatAm as a whole. In other words, beware of the odd pickpocket when you’re shopping for souvenirs on the main street.

Punta Arenas, Chile

One of the southernmost cities in the world, Punta Arenas is considered the gateway to Chilean Patagonia and is often used as a starting point for excursions to Antarctica.

Maybe it’s the sheer distance from it, or the strong social cohesion, but other than that elegant coastal city With subtle British and Scandinavian influences in the architecture and cuisine, Punta Arenas is nothing less than an oasis of tranquility.

Tourism is a big part of the local economy, so authorities do their best to keep the city safe and welcoming to international visitors. It is well patrolled, especially in the inner city, and the lower poverty rates certainly contribute to a lower number of social problems.

According to Numbeo estimates, the city’s crime rate currently stands at 19.89. ‘Very low‘, in their own words, and one of the lowest rates in Latin America.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.