Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

In your opinion....
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Latin America Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
chinaroman



Joined: 30 Oct 2010
Posts: 61
PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:29 am    Post subject: In your opinion.... Reply with quote
What is the most safe city/country in Latin America? Now I do realize that there are dangerous areas everywhere in the world, but where would you consider to be most safe in LA? I will not be found in any back alleys trying to score drugs or wandering the streets looking for prostitutes....... but I would like to not have to worry about being robbed, be able to use my cell phone while walking down the street, etc.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
PostPosted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I thought Mexico was pretty safe coming from Peru. Ecuador also seemed nice. Argentina as well, but I taught an Argentianan for years and he said it was vERY unsafe. Ironcially, he thought Peru was safer. Go figure. Rolling Eyes

Though Piura, Peru was pretty darn safe. Dinky towns usually are.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
just_a_mirage



Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Posts: 169
Location: ecuador
PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ecuador can be dangerous. Ive been on buses that were robbed at gunpoint three times in the last couple months. I live in Guayaquil, but overall crime seems to be up around the country. Smaller cities are safer, but there isnt much work there.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
spanglish



Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that
PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
From what I've heard and read Uruguay and Chile are the safest countries in Latin America.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:38 pm    Post subject: Re: In your opinion.... Reply with quote
chinaroman wrote:
What is the most safe city/country in Latin America? Now I do realize that there are dangerous areas everywhere in the world, but where would you consider to be most safe in LA? I will not be found in any back alleys trying to score drugs or wandering the streets looking for prostitutes....... but I would like to not have to worry about being robbed, be able to use my cell phone while walking down the street, etc.


Avoid Mexico. The drug war is in full swing. Along with that many illegal Mexicans have returned from the US, which has only served to increase unemployment and thus crime rates.

Chile seems like a good bet. They are on the right track and have just elected a conservative president.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Isla Guapa



Joined: 19 Apr 2010
Posts: 1520
Location: Mexico City o sea La Gran Manzana Mexicana
PostPosted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Come to Mexico, or at least to Mexico City where I feel safer than I ever did living in a large city in the US. I am a single middle-aged woman who travels around the city on public transportation, and in the three years I've been living here have had no problems related to my personal safety. Of course, I don't visit bars in the seedier parts of the city in the wee hours and don't flash expensive jewelry when I do go out. Take Prof. Gringo's warnings with many grains of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Isla Guapa wrote:
Come to Mexico, or at least to Mexico City where I feel safer than I ever did living in a large city in the US. I am a single middle-aged woman who travels around the city on public transportation, and in the three years I've been living here have had no problems related to my personal safety. Of course, I don't visit bars in the seedier parts of the city in the wee hours and don't flash expensive jewelry when I do go out. Take Prof. Gringo's warnings with many grains of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila!


Take it anyway you want, but 30,000 dead in a few years is not a joke.

Also, Mexico City has a lot of violence as well, robberies, pick-pocketing, rapes, kidnapping, all are very much a part of daily life in the capital of Mexico.

If you want a truly safe place, steer clear of Mexico.

Chile offers a much better country. Poverty rates have fallen in less than 15 years from near 40% to less than 15% today. Chile is a country that is moving forward and you're never far from the coast.

Chile is everything that Mexico wishes it was, but isn't.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!
PostPosted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:13 pm    Post subject: Re: In your opinion.... Reply with quote
chinaroman wrote:
What is the most safe city/country in Latin America? Now I do realize that there are dangerous areas everywhere in the world, but where would you consider to be most safe in LA? I will not be found in any back alleys trying to score drugs or wandering the streets looking for prostitutes....... but I would like to not have to worry about being robbed, be able to use my cell phone while walking down the street, etc.


I thought Panama was safe and seemed to really be advancing. Costa Rica has a good rep as well.

Chile, good choice, perhaps the top of my list for safety and a country that is creating jobs and advancing itself.

I like Peru a lot, but it might not always be the "safest" but I would take Peru over Mexico anyday. I never had any problems whatsoever in Peru. Great people, great food. Low EFL wages, but we don't do this for the pay, do we?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
chinaroman



Joined: 30 Oct 2010
Posts: 61
PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thank you all for the very solid info. I am currently wrapping up a contract in Northern China, enjoying a Siberian winter. Looking forward to seeing what LA has to offer next. Excited for the change, but one nice thing about China is that safety is never a concern. Happy 2011 to you all!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
naturegirl321



Joined: 04 May 2003
Posts: 9041
Location: home sweet home
PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
<