TRC TRAVEL RISK CALCULATOR
Bethlehem score: 59/100 (Elevated) Updated September 27, 2026

Is Bethlehem safe? South Africa travel risk

Is Bethlehem safe right now? Checked 16 October 2026

Bethlehem scores 59/100 on our travel risk index (Elevated). The US State Department rates South Africa Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution, updated 27 May 2025); the UK has no advice against travel; Canada says: exercise a high degree of caution. No GDACS or USGS hazard events within 100 km in the last 14 days. No change in government advice in the last 7 days.

Bethlehem scores 59/100 (Elevated). The score combines security, crime and scams, health and medical access, natural hazards and current alerts measured for this location and South Africa (how it is calculated). The sections below are specific to Bethlehem: nearest emergency and transport facilities, 5-year natural hazard history within 100 km.

Driven by: crime and scams (92/100) and security (60/100).

A score of 59 is higher than the scores of 84% of the 241 countries we cover.

Consult the South Africa travel risk page for nationwide security advisories, entry protocols, and consular warnings.

Local Geographic Profile

In the Free State territory, Bethlehem is established at 28.2240° S, 28.3110° E. It lies 275.8 km N relative to Pretoria. Time zone observed: Africa/Johannesburg.

Region
Free State
Coordinates
28.2240° S, 28.3110° E
Elevation
1630 m
Time Zone
Africa/Johannesburg
Population
16,236
Nearest city with evaluated safety score: Johannesburg (226.1 km N).

Emergency & Transport Infrastructure

Aviation Hub Ficksburg Sentraoes Airport (FCB) 77.3 km SSW
Hospital Care Hoogland Medi-clinic 1.2 km ESE
Police Station Bethlehem Police Station 0.8 km SSW

Surrounding Localities in South Africa

Natural Hazard Calendar & History

5-Year Hazard Calendar (100 km Radius)

Hazard Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Wildfires — — — — — — — 2 1 — — —

Most wildfire events within 100 km of Bethlehem happened in August (2 of 3 in five years).

Source: GDACS, USGS; five years to October 2026.

For consular advice on women's safety, LGBT+ travel, and local laws, see the South Africa travel advice & laws.

Check the official entry requirements for your nationality before you travel. See the South Africa entry requirements.

Nearby Destinations with Scored Guides

Harrismith 10
80.8 km E
Frankfort 10
106.5 km N
Teyateyaneng 10
117.1 km SSW
Kroonstad 15
123.6 km WNW
Senekane 15
127.1 km SSW
Virginia 10
142.6 km W

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Sources: SimpleMaps, GeoNames, OSM contributors, OurAirports, Open-Meteo, GDACS, USGS · Data desk · Sources · Editorial Policy