Job Discussion Forums

[carolync]

Hi. I was originally focused on finding a job in Mexico, but now the governement down there seems really unstable. What are the safest Latin American countries to teach in? Thanks!

[jillford64]

Chile and Argentina would be my recommendation.

[carolync]

You don't recommend Mexico? Why?

[ls650]

[matttheboy]

chile, uruguay, argentina and brazil all have stable and safe democratic governments with little to no chance of any danger to that institution.

chile is probably the best out of those countries for work, but jobs are concentrated in santiarsehole/santiasco. argentina is brilliant but you can barely live on teaching wages. uruguay is nigh on impossible to find work in and brazil is one of the most dangerous countries in the world (going by rates of murder and violent crime).

mexico is, indeed, politically not very stable with (this is my understanding-correct me if i'm completely wrong) 2 'elected' head's of state refusing to accept defeat and effectively leaving the country with 2 separate governments.

that said, the chances of you, as a foreign esl teacher having any problems whatsoever due to this political uncertainty is extremely unlikely, so discounting a country where you can get a good job with decent wages and exposure to a completely different culture would be, in my opinion, a bad idea.

[ls650]

[matttheboy]

must have been an old copy of Noticias i was reading at the dentist last week then, didn't check the date.

[jillford64]

I'm sorry, carolync. I was thinking South America not Latin America when I answered.

[Guy Courchesne]

Costa Rica is probably one of the safest and most stable in all Latin America, after Mexico of course. I'd say Cuba too, but not if you're looking for a teaching job.

I'm going to put a new sign on my Mexican door. 'Watch Out for Collapsing Governments!'

[denise]

For daily life, I'd say safety on the streets is a bigger issue than government stability. So discount Peru. Chile was safe when I was there. Well, safe-ish.

d

[carolync]

Thanks for all your responses. I hope I didn't annoy you with my ridiculous question. Obviously I don't believe everything I hear from the media, or I wouldn't be posting questions for you guys here.

[Justin Trullinger]

Stability of government really isn't the issue for the person on the street- it's street level safety.

Brazil is governmentally stable, but levels of gun violence in some areas are truly alarming.

Ecuador is governmentally NOT stable- we do enjoy the occasional coup, and unpopular governments put people on edge, multinationals get thrown out, and things go a little nuts, we have anti-free trade riots whenever people get bored with the other stuff...

But, compared to a lot of latin america, crime levels are low. (I'm not saying perfect, I'm not saying don't be careful- but compared to Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Brazil, it's a pretty safe country.)

Check out security feelings from people who are in each country- don't worry overmuch about news reports about governmental stability. These are usually motivated by other concerns than those of people living in the country.

Best,
Justin

[MamaOaxaca]

In the last 15 years I've visited and lived in, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Costa Rica. I had my watch stolen off my wrist in Ecuador. I was pick pocketed once in Mexico in a crowd. I've never had any other problems. But I've been in Mexico much longer than I was in any other place.
I agree with the general opinion that keeping your witts about you will keep you safe for the most part. Keep out of the local politics if you don't want to get caught in the cross fire.

[John Hall]

[naturegirl321]

I feel pretty safe here in Peru.