Santiago is notorious for its pollution, which worsens in the winter (May–September). The rain that falls throughout the winter is welcomed by the residents because it cleans the air. Bring bottled water with you throughout the heat. During the summer, expect sauna-like temperatures on the metro.
When getting around
Santiago is a safe city by South American standards, but tourists should be careful of pickpocketing and other small crimes (Chileans derogatorily refer to the pickpockets as “lanzas”, “spears” in English). Avoid parks at night and, unless you’re in Las Condes or Vitacura, don’t wear expensive-looking jewelry or watches even during the day. Avoid huge crowds, especially downtown, if you’re alone.
If you have terrible luck and are robbed, do what the offender instructs and give the wallet away if you don’t speak Spanish. Failure to do so may result in an assault until you hand up your wallet. Don’t try to argue with them, and once again, do what they say.
Don’t flash your camera; instead, snap a photo and hide it while not in use. If you’re robbed and the thief notices the camera, expect to give it up as well if you want to keep out of jail.
Never accept a bargain from someone who approaches you on the street and offers you higher odds of changing your dollars/euros into Chilean pesos. They are scam artists who take advantage of foreigners’ lack of knowledge about currencies and mislead them with complex jargon in order to steal their money. Only exchange money in authorized currency exchange centers, which may take longer but are far more reliable. There is one in the airport, but they are also common in the downtown and financial districts, as well as in shopping malls.
Overall, traveling by automobile in Santiago is extremely safe.
The metro is considered safer for residents to travel in, even if security in buses has improved since the advent of TranSantiago. However, some locals still prefer to take the metro, especially when it becomes late, because practically all of the stations are guarded. Don’t anticipate much English from the employees. During peak hours, the subway is quite crowded, so keep your backpack on the front and your items in the front pockets.
Dangerous areas
Some neighborhoods and barrios should be avoided. The few carabineros and townspeople who understand English will know which locations to avoid because some of them can be reached by metro. Some customers at your neighborhood Starbucks are more likely to speak English.
Turn around if you notice fewer towering buildings and more dwellings with closed windows and entrances. Unlike in other Latin American cities, changes occur slowly, so you’d have to go quite a distance from a prosperous safe neighborhood to a hazardous ghetto. Avoid La Legüa (not to be confused with La Ligua in the V Región), which is notorious in Chile for having high crime rates. Single police cars will not even be allowed to enter the area.
Unless you know exactly where you’re going, avoid the following comunas: Lo Espejo, La Pintana, Puente Alto (especially the Plaza de Armas), La Cisterna, San Joaqun, El Bosque (not to be confused with the avenue and neighborhood located around Metro El Golf, which is in Las Condes), San Ramón, and LA Granja. Though these sites are not absolutely hazardous, they do have a few dangerous spots and are not particularly touristy.
Providencia, Vitacura, and Las Condes are the safest communities. Aside from Carabineros, all of them have a large number of local security guards, and residents, particularly young ones, are more likely to speak English. However, they are not fully safe: petty theft still occurs, so keep a watch out on the streets. Lo Barnechea may be perplexing because it is the only comuna that has both highly affluent and extremely impoverished neighborhoods during Pinochet’s dictatorship; “La Dehesa” is opulent and safe, but “Cerro Dieciocho” is as deadly as La Legua.
If you attend to a football event, be wary of the “barras bravas,” who are the most fervent but most violent spectators. They frequently get into problems with the cops, both inside and outside the stadium. Avoid purchasing tickets in areas where the bravas predominate, which is generally behind the goals. The center area is the safest, but avoid revealing it if you have a buddy who wants to support Colo-Colo and another Universidad de Chile, for example. Even if the middle portion is safe, wearing many shirts might get you in trouble. Wear the same shirts or dress neutrally. Other football games, aside from the “Superclásico” between Universidad de Chile and Colo-Colo, should be quite safe.
Walking to the stadium, you’ll see individuals asking for money so they can see the game. If you want to remain out of trouble, avoid providing them.
The neighbourhood in which the Estadio Nacional is located is typically tranquil, but when it is packed, you must walk with caution and keep your eyes on other people. It’s best to use a cab or a rented car if you can find a parking spot.
Other
Never participate in a demonstration because it might turn out horribly. If you are caught in one, go to a restaurant, shop, or anywhere similar to hide.
In compared to other Latin American nations, Chilean police (Carabineros) are generally trustworthy. Even if you can’t find someone who speaks English, they’ll try to answer your inquiries, solve your difficulties, or point you in the right direction. Never try to bribe a cop; Chile boasts the least corrupt police force in Latin America.
However, keep in mind that the Chilean police force is militaristic. As a result, police special forces can be aggressive or harsh if they believe you have done or will do something unlawful or unacceptable, therefore exercise caution.
