Personal safety in the Carretera Austral and Northern Patagonia region is good. There is very little thievery and other crimes against tourists. If driving or bicycling the Carretera Austral, be savvy about gravel road conditions. The highway has many sharp ascents and descents, blind curves and no guard rails. Check your vehicle’s oil and tires, carry a spare, and be aware of where gas will next be available.

In the realm of natural dangers, be prepared for sudden changes in the weather. Wear raingear and windbreakers. The tábano, or biting horsefly, is a menace from mid December to mid-January. Hantavirus, a potentially fatal disease carried in excrement of rodents, is prevalent throughout the region.