Travelers wanting to plan a Patagonia tour often wonder about whether the region, both the Chilean and Argentinean sides of it, are safe places to travel. The short answer is, absolutely! Patagonia is a safe travel destination for all local and foreign travelers. Crime is virtually non-existent in this region of South America and locals here are known for going out of their way to show kindness to travelers and for lending a helping hand. You will not have to worry about security in Patagonia’s National Parks either but, as with any foreign place, you may want to be mindful of your valuables when visiting the towns.
Visitors to the Parks, kayakers, hikers, and wildlife photographers also often wonder whether the wildlife encountered on a Patagonia trip poses any danger. You can rest assured that there are very few threatening animals in Patagonia, and those that are dangerous are elusive and rarely spotted by humans.
The beverages, food, water, and ice are clean and safe at basically all hotels in the region. If you have any concerns though, avoid ice on drinks and avoid eating uncooked vegetables. If have dietary restrictions, most restaurants and hotels in Patagonia will happily accommodate your needs. For water safety, most hotels provide a purified water station to fill your canteen bottle each day before setting out on your hike or excursions.
Patagonia is also particularly safe for solo travelers as well as for family travel. The website ResponsibleTravel.com reviewed Patagonia as a wonderful destination for adventurous solo travelers and for families, with opportunities to explore at sea, on sand, in the mountains, and everywhere in between.
