Let me be real with you: Chile is one of the safest countries in South America. My wife is Chilean, I've spent a lot of time there, and I genuinely love the place. But that doesn't mean you should walk around like a tourist straight off the plane with your camera swinging around your neck and your wallet in your back pocket.
The scams in Chile are mostly low-tech and very avoidable — once you know what to look for. This guide is exactly that: what to watch out for, where, and how to outsmart the people who'd love to ruin your trip.
Yes, absolutely — but with your eyes open. Chile consistently ranks among the top 2–3 safest countries in Latin America, and violent crime against tourists remains rare. That said, petty theft and tourist-targeted scams have been on the rise since 2019, especially in Santiago and Valparaíso.
Santiago is definitely the worst of all of Chile, going north or towards the Lake District? It'll get better and better.
My wife grew up in Chile and still has family there. When we visit, she always gives me the same reminders before we step out: "Don't look like you don't know where you're going. Don't flash your phone. And don't trust anyone who approaches you out of nowhere." Good advice — and I'm going to share the specifics of exactly why.
This is probably the most well-known scam in Chile and it's so simple it's almost impressive.
Someone — or something — suddenly splatters a liquid on your shirt, jacket, or bag. Could be fake bird poo, mustard, ketchup, you name it. A "helpful" stranger immediately rushes over to help you clean up. Very kind, right?
Not really. While you're distracted, their accomplice goes for your bag, wallet, or phone. By the time you realize what happened, they're gone.
Where it happens: Tourist-heavy areas, especially around Plaza de Armas in Santiago Centro and busy markets.
My wife's tip: If something suddenly lands on you, do NOT stop. Hold your bag tight, ignore the "help," and walk into the nearest shop or café. Clean up there.
This one catches so many tourists — and honestly, it's easy to see why. You land at the airport, you're tired, someone offers you a taxi and it looks official enough. But unofficial taxi drivers are known to charge outrageously inflated fares, and in worse cases, they've been involved in robberies.
Even "official-looking" taxis on the street can have rigged or fake meters.
The fix is simple: Use ride-sharing apps. In Chile, Uber, Cabify, and DiDi are all widely used, safe, and have GPS tracking with driver identification. My personal preference is Cabify — my wife swears by it.
At Santiago's international airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez), book a taxi only from the official prepaid booths inside the terminal, right after customs. Do not follow anyone who approaches you in the arrivals hall offering a taxi.
If you're planning to rent a car in Chile — and it's a great way to explore the country — you need to know about this one.
Thieves quietly slash or puncture your rental car tire while you're parked or stopped at a light. When you pull over to deal with the flat, they appear to "help you" and rob you in the process. Sometimes an accomplice follows you from the airport.
What to do if it happens:
4. The "Dropped Coins" Trick
An elderly-looking person drops some coins near you. You, being a decent human being, bend down to help pick them up. In that moment, a thief grabs your bag from behind or off your shoulder.
Simple. Effective. Very common.
The rule: If something drops near you and you didn't drop it, keep walking. It sounds harsh, but it's the smart move in busy tourist areas.
The Santiago Metro is genuinely excellent — clean, modern, and well-connected. But during rush hour, it gets packed, and that's exactly when pickpockets go to work.
Phones disappear from pockets in seconds. Bags get unzipped quietly. All while you're staring at your phone or looking at the metro map.
Tips:
This one is more serious. There have been increasing reports of drinks being spiked — particularly in the Bellavistaand Suecia nightlife neighborhoods in Santiago. Victims become unconscious and wake up without their belongings, or worse.
My wife has friends who have experienced this, and it's not something to take lightly.
Non-negotiable rules:
These target both locals and tourists. Someone calls or texts claiming to be from a bank, a government agency, or even pretending to know you. They try to extract personal information, financial details, or convince you to transfer money.
The Canadian government's travel advisory specifically warns about this: never provide personal or financial information over the phone to an unknown caller, and never click links in texts from unfamiliar numbers.
If in doubt, hang up. Call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.
This is a less-talked-about scam but worth knowing. Thieves sometimes identify tourists at the airport — you look like a visitor, you have luggage, you're distracted — and follow you to your hotel. Once there, they wait for an opportunity: luggage left in a lobby, a moment of distraction, or they follow you into an elevator.
Tips:
Card skimming does happen in Chile, particularly at standalone ATMs in tourist-heavy areas or poorly lit machines.
Best practices:
I want to mention this one not to scare you, but because it's real and you should be aware. Express kidnappings — where someone is taken briefly and forced to withdraw cash from an ATM — do occur occasionally in Chile, especially in larger cities.
The risk for tourists is low, but it goes up when you:
Stick to the well-traveled areas, use apps for transport, and trust your gut. If something feels wrong, it probably is.
Not all of Chile carries the same risk. Here's a quick breakdown:
Santiago:
Valparaíso:
Atacama / Patagonia:
My wife always says Chileans are warm, proud, and incredibly hospitable people — and she's right. The vast majority of people you'll meet in Chile are genuinely kind and want you to have a great time in their country.
But like any destination, there are people who see tourists as an easy target. Now you know what they're doing and how to stop them.
Go enjoy Chile. Explore the Atacama, hike in Patagonia, drink wine in the Colchagua Valley, and eat your weight in empanadas. Just do it smart.