3 Unknown Beautiful South American Cities That Are Cheap & Safe To Visit

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Planning a trip to South America in the near future but the volatile prices, and deteriorating safety levels in the region keep putting you off?

If you’ve been on the internet this week, you’ve probably come across the war-like scenes in Rio de Janeiro, where a violent clash between gang members and police officers resulted in a mounting number of casualties.

Over in Buenos Aires, violent crime isn’t as big a concern, but on the other hand, inflation continues to be somewhat of an convenience for visitors, especially if you’re yet to work out how to exchange your dollars given the wildly-varying rates between cuevas (or exchange shops).

And let’s face it, gorgeous as it may be, BA is anything but affordable these days.

So where in South America do you get both cheap prices and low crime? We have 3 top picks for you—just don’t expect them to be wildly popular with tourists:

Cordoba, Argentina

Everyone knows about Buenos Aires, but very few tourists dare to venture beyond the Argentine capital to check out the country’s equally-vibrant, second-largest city.

Much like BA, Cordoba is cut through with leafy boulevards, and it also revolves around a colonial center, dotted with Spanish-built churches, ornate facades, and picturesque plazas, without the Palermo crowds or the overpriced parrillas you see in El Caminito.

The city’s main meeting point is Plaza San Martin, home to the Cathedral of Cordoba, a Baroque gem with impressive frescoes and stuccowork, though you also shouldn’t miss the Manzana Jesuitica, or Jesuit Block:

A major 17th-century colonial complex complete with cloisters, churches, and encompassing the original campus of the National University of Cordona, one of the oldest in the continent, it is the cultural heart of the city and its most beautiful quarter.

Is Cordoba, Argentina Safe?

When it comes to crime, Cordoba has an ‘average’ crime rate, with issues largely consisting of petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching. In general, as long as they follow general safety advice, and avoid suburban areas, tourists are not affected.

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How Affordable Is Cordona, Argentina?

Ouro Preto

A small Brazilian town nestled in the mountainous interior of Minas Gerais, an underrated inland state hundreds of miles away from the gongshow that is Rio, Ouro Preto feels like an oasis of calm.

Dating back to the Portuguese colonial era, its townscape is still evocative of that period, with perfectly-preserved signorial manors, cobble-streets lined with 18th-century dwellings, and opulent churches richly-decorated in gold.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Brazil’s most culturally-significant spots. In a way, it hardly feels like Latin America: none of the overhanging cables, unappealing modern buildings, and certainly none of the hectic traffic.

The town’s best-known landmarks are Igreja de Sao Francisco de Assis, a historic church sculpted by Aleijadinho, a famous Baroque sculptor, Casa dos Contos, a former tax office hosting exhibits on slavery, and Museu da Inconfidência, a museum located inside the former town hall.

Is Ouro Preto, Brazil Safe?

Urban violence is a widespread issue across Brazil, yet Ouro Preto remains one of the safest destinations in the country. Numbeo notes the level of crime is ‘very low’, at a rate of 12.50 (for comparison, Rio’s is a damning 88).

How Affordable Is Ouro Preto, Brazil?

Item	Average price (USD)
Simple meal, inexpensive restaurant	$4.50–⁠$6
3-course meal, mid-range restaurant	⁠$30
Fine dining, higher-end restaurant	Upwards of $30
Public transport (one-way ticket)	$0.80–⁠$0.90
Museum admission	$2.50–⁠$3
3-star hotel (per night)	$70–⁠$80

Colonial del Sacramento, Uruguay

If you still can’t get enough of these Portuguese colonial treasures, maybe you should take a cross-border trip from Brazil to Uruguay and explore the charming Colonia del Sacramento:

Sitting across the Rio de La Plata from Buenos Aires (yep, in Argentina), this quaint Uruguayan city is distinguished by its near-intact Barrio Historico, built by Portuguese settlers, and later taken over by their Spanish rivals.

Similar to its Brazilian counterpart, you’ll find postcard-ready alleys, colorful houses with flower-adorned windowframes and decorated porches, and a plethora of churches that are certain to attract a few camera clicks.

Must-see spots include the Street of Sighs, with the traditional cobbled surface and aged casitas, the 17th-century lighthouse (Faro) and its accompanying Convent of San Francisco, now lying in ruins, and the Porton de Campo, an old city gate part of Colonia’s fortifications.

Is Colonia Del Sacramento, Uruguay Safe?

Uruguay as a whole is one of the least risky countries for Americans to travel in South America, and as it is primarily a tourist destination that appeals almost exclusively to culture buffs, Colonia del Sacramento is not typically on the radar of the usual criminals.

How Affordable Is Colonia Del Sacramento, Uruguay?

Item	Average price (USD)
Simple meal, inexpensive restaurant	$10–⁠$20
3-course meal, mid-range restaurant	⁠$35
Fine dining, higher-end restaurant	$50+
Public transport (one-way ticket)	$0.70
Museum admission	$4
3-star hotel (per night)	$74