OpenTube

South American Cities TO AVOID At All Costs in 2026

Elders World

53,082 views

Planning a trip to South America in 2026 sounds exciting — vibrant cultures, stunning landscapes, affordable travel, and some of the world's most famous cities. But not every destination offers the experience travelers expect. Some cities struggle with crime, scams, overcrowding, poor infrastructure, political instability, and safety concerns that can quickly turn a dream trip into a stressful experience.

In this video, you'll discover South American cities to avoid at all costs in 2026 — along with the reasons why many travelers choose to stay away. From high-crime urban areas and tourist scam hotspots to cities facing serious social and infrastructure challenges, this guide will help you make smarter travel decisions before your trip.

If you're planning a South America vacation, backpacking adventure, retirement trip, cruise extension, or digital nomad journey, knowing which cities present the biggest challenges can help you avoid costly mistakes and travel more confidently.

In this video, you will discover:

🌎 South American cities to avoid at all costs in 2026
⚠️ Destinations with growing safety concerns
❌ Tourist traps and scam hotspots
🚫 Cities known for crime, theft, and travel risks
💸 Expensive destinations that may not be worth visiting
🛑 Places facing infrastructure and quality-of-life issues
😓 Overcrowded cities many travelers regret visiting
📉 Destinations with declining travel reputations
💎 Better places to consider during your South American journey
🧭 Smart travel tips for staying safe in South America

This video is perfect for:

✈️ Travelers planning a trip to South America
🎒 Backpackers exploring Latin America
💑 Couples looking for safer travel destinations
👨‍👩‍👧 Families researching international vacations
🌴 Retirees considering South American travel
🔎 Anyone researching where NOT to travel in South America

Whether you're visiting South America for the first time or returning for another adventure, this guide will help you avoid common travel mistakes, stay informed about safety concerns, save money, and choose destinations that offer a better overall experience.

📌 Subscribe for more videos about:

South America travel tips, cities to avoid in South America, safest cities in South America, South American travel guide, Latin America travel tips, dangerous cities in South America, tourist traps South America, backpacking South America, travel safety 2026, and best places to visit in South America.

20 Comments

@ceciliamccann3146 3 months ago

The worse part in Cartagena are the very aggressive street vendors.

@rhill49849 1 month ago

Valparaiso for me was wonderful. I walked back to the hotel well after dark and felt completely safe. The people were warm and friendly.

@beawild 1 month ago

Argentina is very large and beautiful. I'm traveling to Buenos Aires in two weeks. I can't wait to be there.

@CarlosPerezLopez-u2m 3 months ago

I live in Lima This is first hand info. It has very good walkability but It's a sort of misconception that we can live only in 3 districts. E.g. Jesus Maria , Pueblo Libre and Magdalena are 3 more to mention. Also San Borja , Surco and La Molina. During winter months Jun and July we can go for full sunny days just driving 50 minutes into the sunny highlands. Quality of air is good due to the city having a vast coast facing the ocean breeze bringing pure air. Lima sunsets are amazing and we can see a full circle sun. The food is so good including small restaurants. The city is making a good investment in new infrastructure like N°2 subway. In Lima are living a numerous expat community but mainly having a discreet presence blending in Peru's culture. From Lima we can take a $30 flight to any city and be in a different region with white snow peak , rainforest , etc. Overall the country is safe to travel around. Lima's mild climate is a plus. No hot summer and not chilly winter. Thanks for reading ❤

@bmxsundaze 3 months ago

Well… Cusco is amazing, I based myself there for a month, saw so much including Machu Pichu and the Sacred Valley- one of the best places I have been. I also loved Lima, the food was great and so were the people.

@JeanPierreLafiite 3 weeks ago

I’m glad that I didn’t avoid the cities on your list. I stayed at least a month in each of these cities and had the best time of my life. I didn’t run across aggressive street vendors and everyone was quite chill. Experiences can vary from person to person. South America is awesome.

@Slakes08 2 months ago

No Quito and Medellin and Cali the Cities I visit.

@jordanfreedom 2 months ago

Salvador Brazil is absolutely amazing It's the best city in South America and I've been everywhere

@doctorstrangelove9487 2 months ago

Rio is a very pretty city but it is dangerous.

@PassportDialectic 2 months ago (edited)

Thank you for your research. I learned alot. But I must be honest. I enjoyed Mar del Plata (Argentina) much more than Buenos Aires. I'll definitely be looking into Bariloche. I never knew that place existed. Thanks.

@rvilla4329 1 month ago

100% accurate about cuzco and lima in peru,,

@alanbowman-dg5sd 2 months ago

We recently went to Cartagena and had a great time., perhaps 15:23 because we went in April and stayed in a hotel on the opposite side of the walled city from the area where most tourists enter and stay. The food was also excellent both in the hotel itself and nearby. All those aggressive vendors we encountered were within a block of where all the cruise ship passengers enter.

@anafrill3489 1 month ago

😂 Nonsense. Cuzco should be in everybody's bucket list. Amazing place.

@aurelio1204 1 month ago

Statistically, Salvador Bahia has been more violent than Rio, but Rio might have a more tense environment. Both places require common sense and alertness for a positive and fun experience.

@ellocoalberto 2 months ago

In my view, Rio de Janeiro is the most beautiful and stunning city in the world. ❤I have been there three times. It has a similar vibe to San Francisco... Cartagena, Colombia is cool as well, and definitely one of the top cities in the world. I spent a week there, and it was such a colorful, vibrant city. Greetings from Manchester! 😉