Need honest advice- BA Safe? Okay to rent apt or better in hotel?
May 16th, 2011, 10:52 PM
#2
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Firstly, your title. Do you think anyone here would give you dishonest advice?
We spent a month in BA in an apartment in Palermo close to Avenida Santa Fe. This was at the end of a year long trip around the world and I can honestly say that we felt as safe, in BA as we did in any of the 15 countrys and approx 100 towns, cities etc. that we stayed in.
Of course there are scams and muggers and ne'er do wells in BA as there are in all cities around the world and you should always keep your travelling wits about you when out and about. Leave expensive jewellery and handbags etc at home. Don't wander around deserted (or non tourist areas) after dark (or indeed, during daylight hours. If in doubt, or at all nervous walk into any shop or restaurant. Do not engage in conversation with people who stop you in the street even if it does seem rude. Follow your instincts and common sense.
Taxis can be a problem in any large city (airports are rife with taxi scams and worse). I am sure that avrooster, scarlett, marnie etc. will chip in with suggestions for getting a taxi from the airport. From your apartment, your apartment owner will cetainly be able to provide you with the number of a reputable radio taxi firm.
We tended to use the Subte and buses mostly when in BA as well as walking which IMHO provides a much better insight to the city.
Have fun, it is a wonderful city.
We spent a month in BA in an apartment in Palermo close to Avenida Santa Fe. This was at the end of a year long trip around the world and I can honestly say that we felt as safe, in BA as we did in any of the 15 countrys and approx 100 towns, cities etc. that we stayed in.
Of course there are scams and muggers and ne'er do wells in BA as there are in all cities around the world and you should always keep your travelling wits about you when out and about. Leave expensive jewellery and handbags etc at home. Don't wander around deserted (or non tourist areas) after dark (or indeed, during daylight hours. If in doubt, or at all nervous walk into any shop or restaurant. Do not engage in conversation with people who stop you in the street even if it does seem rude. Follow your instincts and common sense.
Taxis can be a problem in any large city (airports are rife with taxi scams and worse). I am sure that avrooster, scarlett, marnie etc. will chip in with suggestions for getting a taxi from the airport. From your apartment, your apartment owner will cetainly be able to provide you with the number of a reputable radio taxi firm.
We tended to use the Subte and buses mostly when in BA as well as walking which IMHO provides a much better insight to the city.
Have fun, it is a wonderful city.
May 17th, 2011, 03:57 AM
#3
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I'll try VERY hard to give "honest" advice. Just kidding. LOL!!
There are any number of posts, including many by yours truly, on the subject of safety in cabs. I suggest some research.
If you cannot find them, I'll repeat that advice. In general terms, it is always safer to phone for a cab, rather than just hailing one off the street. Never pay with bills larger than 20 pesos, etc., etc.
Crellston has given you great advice above, as usual. If he posted on TA, he would have been named Destination Expert long ago, but we don't have that title here.
To answer your question, for a stay of one week or more I would prefer to stay in an apartment and I most certainly would not stay in a hotel just so they can hail cabs for me.
However, I must admit there is an advantage in having a hotel's porter hail the cab for you and that is that they are supposed to record or even film the cab which picks you up, which serves as a deterrent for any misbehaviour by the cabbie. But the same purpose is achieved by phoning for a cab.
Have a great time in our town.
There are any number of posts, including many by yours truly, on the subject of safety in cabs. I suggest some research.
If you cannot find them, I'll repeat that advice. In general terms, it is always safer to phone for a cab, rather than just hailing one off the street. Never pay with bills larger than 20 pesos, etc., etc.
Crellston has given you great advice above, as usual. If he posted on TA, he would have been named Destination Expert long ago, but we don't have that title here.
To answer your question, for a stay of one week or more I would prefer to stay in an apartment and I most certainly would not stay in a hotel just so they can hail cabs for me.
However, I must admit there is an advantage in having a hotel's porter hail the cab for you and that is that they are supposed to record or even film the cab which picks you up, which serves as a deterrent for any misbehaviour by the cabbie. But the same purpose is achieved by phoning for a cab.
Have a great time in our town.
May 17th, 2011, 05:30 AM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2008
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saexplorers.org/clubhouses/buenosaires
good local folks in the know careful MANY scammers
Vrbo Craigslist especially location is everything
lots of tax cheats I never wire money always do CC/Paypal
or just wait to book boots on the ground for very best deals.
The Claridge is nice from $100/nt usually book
a few nights there Otel.com Booking.com.
So honestly Caveat Emptor easy for someone else to
get the gold mine and you to get the shaft.
Happy Travels!
good local folks in the know careful MANY scammers
Vrbo Craigslist especially location is everything
lots of tax cheats I never wire money always do CC/Paypal
or just wait to book boots on the ground for very best deals.
The Claridge is nice from $100/nt usually book
a few nights there Otel.com Booking.com.
So honestly Caveat Emptor easy for someone else to
get the gold mine and you to get the shaft.
Happy Travels!
May 17th, 2011, 10:51 AM
#5
Honestly ! (sic) We take reasonable (tourist) precautions when traveling in Italy, France, even Sweden - and feel quite safe in Buenos Aires where we do so, as well.
We have stayed in hotels in BsAs and rented several apartments. Each has advantages, but we haven't missed having the support of a hotel after the first visit. For a first visit, if you have any reluctance to being more on your own, go for the hotel. But, as AV says, not for the Taxis.
From the airport take either TAXI EZEIZA (paid with US dollars, Pesos or Euros) or a Remis (private taxi service) such as TIENDA LEON or VIP or WORLD CAR (paid with cash or CC) or a Private Car and Driver such as Fred at SilverCar or Dante. Either of these is completely safe and arranged INSIDE the AIRPORT as you leave Customs. Or, they can be pre-arranged on line, from home.
Once in Buenos Aires, we often call one of these two fine Taxi services:
PIDALO which is very trustworthy, and might have English speaking operators: Tel - 4956-1200. or
PREMIUM also excellent: Tel - 5238-0000 http://www.taxipremium.com.ar/
Restaurants will gladly call you a Taxi to return after your meal - as will Tango show venues etc.
Best not to hail a cab near tourist sites or tango shows, etc. Instead, walk a block or so and look for a Radio Taxi. And follow the advice or Crellston and QuoVadis.
Relax, but stay alert, and Enjoy.
~MarnieWDC
We have stayed in hotels in BsAs and rented several apartments. Each has advantages, but we haven't missed having the support of a hotel after the first visit. For a first visit, if you have any reluctance to being more on your own, go for the hotel. But, as AV says, not for the Taxis.
From the airport take either TAXI EZEIZA (paid with US dollars, Pesos or Euros) or a Remis (private taxi service) such as TIENDA LEON or VIP or WORLD CAR (paid with cash or CC) or a Private Car and Driver such as Fred at SilverCar or Dante. Either of these is completely safe and arranged INSIDE the AIRPORT as you leave Customs. Or, they can be pre-arranged on line, from home.
Once in Buenos Aires, we often call one of these two fine Taxi services:
PIDALO which is very trustworthy, and might have English speaking operators: Tel - 4956-1200. or
PREMIUM also excellent: Tel - 5238-0000 http://www.taxipremium.com.ar/
Restaurants will gladly call you a Taxi to return after your meal - as will Tango show venues etc.
Best not to hail a cab near tourist sites or tango shows, etc. Instead, walk a block or so and look for a Radio Taxi. And follow the advice or Crellston and QuoVadis.
Relax, but stay alert, and Enjoy.
~MarnieWDC
May 17th, 2011, 06:36 PM
#6
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Bocette: The advice above is EXCELLENT. Look no further. However, if we received additional information, that would be a BIG help. IE: are you traveling alone, length of stay,etc.
In any event, have a great time and you WILL be back.
In any event, have a great time and you WILL be back.
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