Yes, Chile is among the safest countries to visit in South America. However, it's worth noting that in the capital, Santiago, crime rates are increasing, with muggings, violent crime, and carjackings on the up. In May 2023, the US State Department moved Chile to "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution". To avoid issues, stay in the safest neighborhood - Vitacura and the eastern end of Providencia - and take taxis at night. Cabify, My Ride Chile, or a pre-booked taxi organised by your hotel is recommended; Uber and flagging a taxi off the street should be avoided. Even tourist destinations such as Lastarria and Bellavista are now increasingly unsafe. A few years ago in 2019, political protests and civil unrest erupted with the aim of addressing inequality, bringing constitutional reform, and forcing the resignation of the government under the unpopular President, Sebastián Piñera. The immediate spark was a hike in the price of metro tickets. There is a history of heavy-handed policing, which was another reason for the unrest and locals often refer derogatorily to police as pacos. Since the pandemic and the election of progressive candidate Gabriel Boric, things in Chile have calmed down, and constitutional reform is ongoing. Street protest has largely died down, but past demonstrations were rarely violent, and foreigners are not targeted.