Buenos Aires - lone female traveller

Old Mar 19th, 2015, 02:55 PM
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Buenos Aires - lone female traveller

H everyone,

I'm heading to Buenos Aires alone next month. I'm travelling alone and it'll be my first time in Latin America. My original plans included going to Mendoza and possibly over to Chile but they have been scaled back due to recent illness. Now I'd prefer to stay in one place rather than spending too much time on night buses and moving around. So my basic plan is to stay the whole 2 weeks in BA, with a possible trip to Iguazu Falls (pretty sure I'd like to do this, just need to sort out timings).

I've booked provisional accommodation (single private rooms in hostels) but am still looking around and may have the option of staying with friends of friends. I was just looking for some general advice about what to do and also about safety. I'm fairly well travelled, but I've read varying reports about Buenos Aires with some saying it's perfectly fine and others saying it's not at all safe. I was hoping for some advice about:

- to/from the airport - is a taxi hailed from the rank outside arrivals the safest way?
- changing money - obviously the 'blue' rate is much better value than the official one, but again I've read varying reports about how safe it is to change your money this way. Apparently there is a very high chance of forged bills. Is this true? Any tips on where to go to change money safely?
- carrying money - I generally use a money belt when I travel, with my credit card and some cash inside, and a small amount of cash in my wallet. I've heard it's a good idea to have an extra wallet with some cash in case you get mugged in BA - is this good advice?

Any advice or suggestions appreciated!
ClementineLdn is offline  
Old Mar 19th, 2015, 04:58 PM
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You've come to the right place for advice, Clementine!

About your questions:

Safety: BA is quite safe, if you know what you are doing and you sound as if you DO know.

NEVER hail a taxi from the rank outside the international (EZE) airport or the local (AEP) airport. Take only transportation which can be PREPAID INSIDE the terminal. The cheapest is http://www.taxiezeiza.com.ar/eng/ but they only take cash.

Exchange at the "blue" rate: go to the place described in this hotel review: http://tinyurl.com/l272j2h No chance of forged bills.

I don't expect you to get mugged, because you sound like you know how NOT to make yourself a target, but if you wish to carry "an extra wallet with some cash", that's OK.

Suggestion: read some trip reports. I have a thread with many trip reports. On this forum, you'll find trip reports by solo female travellers.

Have a great time in my town and keep the questions coming, ClementineLdn!
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Old Mar 19th, 2015, 08:39 PM
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I took
http://www.taxiezeiza.com.ar
also and works fantastic. I believe that 2 weeks just in buenos aires is too much but you can do the iguazu falls in 3 days.

enjoy the buenos aires nights so use some days to wake up late....

i know a private tour guide there so you can use it to get to know buenos aires better and she will tell you and accompany you for visit the historical places but also stop for coffee and watch local life.

the problem is that as soon as i know to get a private guide is expensive for people from hostels.
they are generally university education, bilingual english spanish, well travelled, high experience how to show the city depend on your age and interests.

GOOGLE "buenos aires private tour guide"
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 03:18 AM
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There are free walking tours in the city and the Cicerones group are guides who work for tips only. Both of very good quality and opportunities to meet other travelers,
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 03:27 AM
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ClementineLdn did NOT ask for a guide and does NOT sound like the kind of person who would need one.

Particularly when there are guides who work for free or just for tips, such as:

http://www.bafreetour.com/english-bu...free-city-tour and http://tinyurl.com/c2d7wr

or the well-known Cicerones http://cicerones.org.ar/?lang=en

Have a great time in my town, ClementineLnd.
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 03:31 AM
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Well, I'll be ...!!!!

Marnie answered before I did!

I must be getting old!

Have a great time in my town, Clementine Lnd.
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 08:06 AM
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As far as Iguacu/the falls, Foz do Iguacu is a very small city, and Puerto Iguazu is even smaller. Small in Brazil usually means safe, esp. in comparison to larger cities with visible inequalities confronting both locals and tourists. There are hotels/hostels in the town and more on the road from the town to the park (both sides. Probably better to stay on the side you'll be flying out of---and DO fly, rather than bus.) It is pretty easy to get around to both sides of the park by local bus. You can also take a taxi across the border.
Just be aware that for Brazil, certain passport holders require a visa (usually good for 10 years for US passport holders), best purchased in advance at your home Brazilian Consulate. Make sure you stop when crossing the border to get your passport stamped; you may have to get off the bus, do the process and wait for the next bus. IMO it is worth getting the Brazil visa to see that side of the park and the Bird Park.
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 11:21 AM
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Take taxi that is prepaid inside terminal after aduana. We have been here over a week, with one to go, and have not had good experiences with taxis. On one occasion, we wanted to go from San Telmo to La Boca on a Sunday, when both were very crowded with street fairs. We were told by a security guard in a pharmacy that the cost should be about 40-50 pesos and certainly no more. He said they like to drive the long way to up the fare. All wanted about 80 pesos so we were about to pass on La Boca. Then one who wanted 80 finally said okay, 40 pesos. He then took us to La Boca, but not to the area where visitors go. We refused to get out of the cab in a shady neighborhood until he took us where we wanted to go which was about another 5 minutes of driving to the water and the hustle of the crowds visiting, walking, dining, and shopping. We took the bis back to our apartment in Palermo Viejo and it was 3.50 pesos per person and fine.
Then, we took a morning cab to the ferry terminal to Uruguay. He went direct, but a 50 peso trip was a 75 peso trip and because he chose not to go on the larger streets, like Santa Fe, we got out and walked the last 4 or so blocks, due to traffic.
Our final taxi attempt was upon our return from Montevideo on the ferry at 9:45 pr so at night. Lined up outside the terminal on the street side of the fence, we inquired as to about how much to our apartment and we were told 200 pesos. We smiled, said no and walked about two blocks and caught a bus, again for 3.50 pesos each.

For money exchange, quite safe on Calle Florida. We choose not to deal with men offering cambio on the street, but prefer to ask the kiosk operators if they are making cambio. If they are, and many are, we exchange with them in private inside the kiosk. The blue rate should be 13 pesos per dollar, but we have been accepting 12.7 and 12.75 on the days we went. The more you exchange the better the rate, we are told. We felt safe and once had to,hang around and wait to be called as others were ahead of us. We have not had a problem with counterfeit bills, and is another reason we choose the kiosks. Might be blind acceptance, but it has been working so far.

Should you choose to take the ferry to Colonia or Montevideo, Uruguay, note that you must be at the terminal no less than a one hour ahead of departure. Need your entry tax papers to be able to return to Argentina. Ferry is expensive and must be paid with credit card. No cash accepted. To Colonia it is a one hour trip and cost about $84US. You can do Colonia in about 2 hours. Quaint, but we felt we should have just gone to Montevideo for more timer there. We took a first class bus from the terminal next to the ferry terminal to Montevideo for about $11IS which was 3 hours and very comfortable. Spent the night and all of the next day and returned to BsAs on a 7:30 PM ferry that is about 2 1/2 hours for about $97US. Buquebus also offers ferries to Colonia and then a bus directly on to Montevideo which may. E worth looking into cost-wose, but we think it does not allow time in Colonia.

Suggestion: purchase a SUBE card at a Kiosko ( small neighborhood store found everywhere, vs. the kiosk stands in the middle of Calle Florida, although they may also sell the cards. Not sure). This card costs 25 pesos and serves like a debit card. Go down into the Metro (SUBTE) and the ticket counter can add whatever amount on the card you want. Watch others to see how to use the card to enter through the turnstiles for a metro / subway train. With the card the ride is 4.50 peso vs. a single ride ticket of 5 pesos. But it is the convenience of not buying single rides that matters. Also, this SUBE card is for city buses too. We have been laying about 3.50 from El Centro to Palermo per ride. So cheap! But, the important thing is the buses do not generally provide change and you will often not have the right amount. The SUBE card just makes life easier. You can add more money to it as needed at the subway ticket counters.

Have a great trip and I hope this has been helpful.
Oh, you seem savvy regarding safety. Same as any large city, an UNDER GARMENT tummy money pack Is smart with some cash in a bag that you carry close to yourself and you should be fine. During certain rush hours, buses and metro are PACKED.
Jim
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 11:41 AM
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I visited BsAs as a solo female traveler, also Iguazu - click on my name for the TR. There are parts of town to avoid, but much is fine. However, you do need to be alert for scams, both pickpockets and the "dirty water" attack (in my case it was yellow goo). I highly recommend Iguazu, Uruguay not as much, but it's worth the trip across the river if you have time.
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 12:36 PM
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I too was in BA alone a year ago. Had a fantastic time. AV knows everything, take his advice!! I changed money at the place he recommends, all fine. I did 2 of the BA Free Tours and was very pleased with them. Did them first thing so as to get my bearings. Also can recommend BA Graffiti Tours...e mail them and make a booking. You pay about $20 when you get there. I learned a lot about street art on this tour and have been addicted ever since.
Likewise I got transport into the city from the taxeezeiza booth at the arrival terminal. Paid in US$ on the spot.
Once in town I got about by metro everywhere. Easy, cheap, hassle-free. Safe. Never figured out the buses.
I did 2 trips to Uruguay: one to Montevideo for the weekend via Buquebus and the other to Sacramento. Sacramento is more 'picturesque' and can easily be done as a day trip. Go to the SEACAT office in the centre of town and see what special offers they have.
There is a HOHO bus that takes you around the main sights. It is a long route, be prepared to spend all day hopping on and off.
Did a day in Tigre by train from Retiro station.
Spent hours and hours walking everywhere, especially through the miles of parks out towards Palermo. And mooching around Palermo's restaurants and galleries.
The Opera has free shows on Sunday mornings. Just go along and see if there are any tickets left. The audience tend to be locals.
Enjoyed the Musee de Bellas Artes, a couple of other museums, Evita museum.
There is so much to do in BA. I was there about 3 weeks in total and could have stayed longer. It is top of my revisit list.
Never thought about safety, left my valuables in a safe and carried just enough cash for the day. Didn't ever feel remotely spooked.
And on top of all that, Iguazu is one of the best trips ever.
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 08:13 PM
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Clementine, pay heed to "the Rooster"..he knows his city like the back of his hand. Perhaps these few selected "familiarization" pix below will help you. Have a great time.
stu
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 08:20 PM
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https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ESIguacuFalls#
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Old Mar 22nd, 2015, 04:00 AM
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My two main safety rules:

1) Don't make yourself a target, meaning don't show money, a fancy phone/camera, an expensive watch or anything of the kind.

2) If ANYTHING strange happens near you, assume it's a trick intended to get you off guard. Do exactly the opposite, be more on guard than ever and yell "POLICIA!!" at the top of our lungs, if anyone tries to get near you.

Any comments on all the advice you have received so far, ClementineLnd?

Have a great time in my town.
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 07:13 AM
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Thanks for all the advice!

I didn't know that about booking a prepaid taxi from inside the terminal - I will certainly do that.

I'm a British citizen so I don't think I need a visa for Brazil. I wasn't planning to stay over at Iguazu Falls, just perhaps to go on an overnight bus, stay a day and then come back. Would that not be enough time?

Regarding valuables, is it better for me just to leave most things at home in the UK and take only essentials (basic phone, cheap wristwatch?)

Thanks again for the advice! There seems to be plenty to do and I'm sure I won't get bored in BA
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 07:52 AM
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I don't know whether or not, as a British citizen, you need a visa for Brazil. Someone else will certainly know.

Only one day at the Iguazú Falls is not enough, IMO.

I would bring only essentials.

Have a great time in my country.
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 08:25 AM
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I'm a British citizen too. You do not need a visa for Brazil. Nor Argentina. Nor Uruguay. Nor Chile.

If I were you I would stay a night at Iguazu so as to see both sides of the falls. They are spectacular. The overnight bus journey is not too painful either.

When I travel anywhere I leave valuables at home. Take a cheap watch and a throw-away phone. Use internet in places along the way on my IPAD: most places have free wifi these days. Leave cash and cards in hotel room safes.

Have a great trip.
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 09:36 AM
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I think this might be cheaper than a taxi:

http://www.viator.com/tours/Buenos-A...-5239EZEAPTHTL

It says shared but the driver was waiting for me with a sign with my name and I was the only passenger.

Believe it's cheaper than a taxi.
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 09:57 AM
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You need at least two full days for Iguazu, one for each side.

Definitely leave valuables at home. And wear a money belt for anything other than one day's cash and stuff in a safe. I use this: http://www.backpacktravelstore.com/L...p/grlkwmbb.htm
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 10:05 AM
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OK, thanks for the info. Would a cheap non-smartphone with a UK SIM work in Argentina?

Any recommendations for places to stay near Iguazu Falls? Especially budget ones?

I was also wondering about adaptors. I've googled this but it seems that there are different types of sockets in Argentina. What type is the most common in BA?
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Old Mar 24th, 2015, 10:56 AM
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As far as I can see in the link posted by scrb11, Viator charges 40 dollars PER PERSON, repeat PER PERSON, for the ride from our international airport into town.

If you are by yourself and the ride is shared, believe me, this is preposterously high.

If it is just for you, it depends on whether you use the official or the "blue" rate of exchange.

http://www.taxiezeiza.com.ar/eng/ charges 400 pesos to get you into town and 350 pesos if you go back to the airport with them when you leave.

At the "blue" rate of exchange, this is less than 60 dollars, both ways, 30 dollars each way and it is NOT shared.

So, it depends. I stand by my advice to "Take only transportation which can be PREPAID INSIDE the terminal".

Besides, if you were (which I know you are NOT) travelling with other people, believe me, Viator is a total rip-off (not surprising, since it is owned by TA), because their fee is PER PERSON and the transportation I am suggesting is PER RIDE, for up to three or maybe even four people.

Have a great time in my country.
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