# Canada Updates Chile Travel Advisory: What Ottawa Travellers Need to Know
Planning a trip to explore Chile’s stunning Atacama Desert, the vibrant streets of Santiago, or the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia? Before you pack your bags, there’s important information you need to know. On March 9, 2026, the Government of Canada updated its travel advisory for Chile, maintaining a **Level 2 risk rating — Exercise a High Degree of Caution**. For Ottawa travellers with upcoming plans to this South American destination, understanding what this means for your trip is essential.
## What Does Level 2 Mean?
A Level 2 advisory doesn’t mean you can’t travel to Chile, but it does signal that extra precautions are necessary. The Canadian government has flagged ongoing demonstrations, civil unrest, and elevated crime rates as primary concerns. This isn’t a complete travel ban, but rather a heads-up that conditions on the ground require heightened awareness and preparation.
## Crime Concerns in Chilean Cities
Petty crime remains the most immediate risk for visitors. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and vehicle theft are particularly common in Santiago, Valparaíso, and other major urban centers. Thieves have become increasingly sophisticated, using distraction techniques that range from staged accidents to spilling substances on unsuspecting tourists.
One tactic specifically targets rental car users: criminals puncture tires and rob travellers when they stop to investigate. “Motochorros” — thieves on motorcycles — work in coordinated teams to snatch phones and bags from pedestrians. Tourist hotspots, metro stations, restaurants with street-facing patios, and even gas stations are frequent crime locations.
## Preparing Beyond the Guidebook
For Ottawa residents planning Chilean adventures, preparation extends well beyond booking flights and hotels. A comprehensive approach to travel safety includes protecting both your belongings and your health. Before departure, schedule a travel health consultation to address Chile-specific medical concerns.
Depending on your itinerary, you may need vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, or yellow fever if you’re travelling from certain regions. Chile’s diverse geography — from high-altitude regions in the Andes to remote Patagonian areas — presents unique health challenges. Altitude sickness medication, a properly stocked medical kit, and medications for traveller’s diarrhea are all considerations that a travel health professional can help you navigate.
Understanding local health infrastructure, ensuring your routine vaccinations are current, and having prescriptions properly documented can prevent minor issues from becoming trip-ending emergencies. When you’re exercising a high degree of caution regarding personal safety, your health preparation deserves the same attention.
## Take Action Before You Travel
Don’t let preventable health issues or lack of preparation compromise your Chilean adventure. A pre-travel health consultation gives you destination-specific guidance that generic advice can’t match.
Travelling to Chile? Before you go, speak with one of our ISTM-certified travel health physicians – virtually, 7 days a week. A pre-travel consultation covers vaccines, medications, and destination-specific health risks. Book your virtual consultation at Orleans Travel Clinic Pharmacy.