Latin America, places to avoid

Planning your world tour in Latin America? You want to see the most beautiful places on the continent but you don’t want to go through the most dangerous countries? It is true that some countries can be agonizing. According to the 2010 Index of the Most Dangerous Countries in South America, Venezuela and Haiti are considered the most dangerous countries for expatriates. We advise you for all countries in Latin America to purchase a travel insurance to cover your medical expenses and repatriation.

Security risks in Venezuela

It is currently the riskiest country in South America for expatriates. The type of risk is violence and delinquency. Particular vigilance should be paid to Cumana (Paria and Araya), the Paraguana Peninsula, the entrance to the Maracaibo Lagoon, Margarita Island and the island of Los Testigos. You should also be careful when travelling in the western districts and in the center of the capital Caracas, by far the most dangerous city in the country.

Security risks in Colombia

In Colombia the types of risks are violence, crime and the earthquake. From a crime perspective, expatriates and travellers should be particularly vigilant in the following areas: eastern districts of Bogota, northern and western districts of Medellin, the city of Cali, Cartagena, Santa Marta and Leticia. Obviously when night has fallen the risk is higher. Also avoid all displacement in rural areas because of guerrilla movements. Notably in Bolivar, Guajira, Cauca, Huila, Caqueta, Guaviare, Magdalena, Valle del Cauca, Choco, Meta, Cordoba, Sucre, Cesar, Putumayo, Arauca, Nario and Norte Santander, as well as the north-east of Boyaca and the outlying municipalities of Antioquia.

Security risks in Peru

The types of risks you can find in Peru are theft, aggression and seismic and climatic risks.
Crime is quite high in the cities of Lima, Arequipa (kidnappings) and Cusco, especially at night. Travel in the Ene and Apurimac valleys and in the Ayacucho and Junin (narcotrafic) regions is strictly prohibited.

Security risks in Bolivia

In Bolivia the types of risks are kidnapping, violence, road infrastructure and natural risk. The town of Copacabana, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca on the border between Peru and Bolivia, is a dangerous place. Travellers are advised to prefer travel by regular bus companies for travel within the country.

Security risks in Mexico

The types of risk present in Mexico are delinquency, kidnappings, cyclones and earthquakes.
Delinquency at Mexico City airport is on the rise. You should also be careful in cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Michoacan state, Nuevo Leon state and on the border with Tamaulipas state. A surge of violence in the city of Monterrey and its agglomeration (University) is to be noted.

Security risks in Honduras

The types of risks in Honduras are kidnapping, violence and cyclones.
An upsurge in violence is notable especially in the northern departments (Cortès, Atlantida and Colon), as well as the city of San Pedro Sula and the department of Copon as well as Tegucigalpa.

Security risks in Haiti

The types of risks are violence, kidnapping and natural disasters (earthquake, cyclone).
Security incidents are reported in Port-au-Prince in particular. In addition, the MDeA reports an increase in murders, assaults and armed attacks in recent years in the country’s most important cities.

Obviously taking out expat insurance allows you to leave more serenely and manage problems faster and easier!