specialfx

I'm wondering if the safety situation in BA has deteriorated lately. We have a trip planned in Jan/Feb and being from Chicago we understand how to avoid trouble. We are also fairly "travel savvy" (at least we like to think that we are!!) so we are used to navigating large international cities, like Mexico City. However, I've heard some rumblings from colleagues and another message board regarding the crime situation related to the International Bar Association meeting at the Sheraton. Can this just be chalked up to naiveté of the conference attendees or has there been an increase in street crime? Note that we'll be staying at the Marriott.

avrooster

I don't think anything has changed lately.

Being from Chicago, as you are, understanding "how to avoid trouble" and "used to navigating large international cities", I'm confident you will have no trouble at all.

May I ask about the other "message board regarding the crime situation related to the International Bar Association meeting at the Sheraton."?

avrooster

I saw you posted the same question on TA and got essentially the same answer I gave you.

specialfx

Thanks avrooster. I'm relieved. By the way, the message was on TA. It is posted as a comment on the "Buenos Aires Health & Safety" page. See below...

October 2008. The IBA conference is taking place and it is very dangerous here. I was robbed in broad daylight on July 9th Avenue at 4 pm with police watching and doing nothing. Other conference attendees report being robbed right outside the Sheraton hotel and conference center. IBA reports dozens of attendees mugged the first day of conference. I have attended conferences all over the world (Africa, Asia, Brazil) and this is by far the most dangerous city I have ever been in. AVOID BA at least until crime is under control and the corrupt police force actually starts doing their job. Now I see how the Bush daughters were robbed here even with Secret Service protection- there are just way too many thugs here and no one cares about what happens to tourists and locals alike. Crime is just a part of life here and every local I met either was robbed or has a family member robbed. Unbelievable..

Graziella5b

I go several times a year to Bs As and would say that the report is a gross exageration.

georgewoodie

specialfx:

My wife and I have been to Argentina several times [and going again this winter] and have never felt the hand of crime.

We have felt comfortable and welcome and enjoyed our travel there very much.

I do not carry a wallet to bulge a back pocket. I do not wear gold jewelry or an expensive watch. I do not visit high crime districts at bad hours, not for any travel and not at home either.

I do not flash a lot of cash.

I certainly look like a gringo and if I have to speak, for sure I am spotted as a tourist. I even have a small Canadian flag on my hat. However, risk is the reality where ever I go except [less] at home in Canada and who wants to be there in the winter at -40C?

With reasonable caution you should have a great time in Argentina.

Go for it.

Woodie

drdawggy

I have stayed at the Marriott a total of 11 days over the past two years.
--Get a park view room!
--Go to the bar at least once. Forbes rated it one of the best business bars in the world.
--More to the point: I have never had a problem with thieves or muggers and I have spent a lot of time out and about in the area.

specialfx

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

saltshaker

At least based on local news sources, there was a whopping one, count it, one mugging during the conference that was reported (presumeably the original poster), plus one pickpocketing, so not sure about the "dozens" that IBA reports. And the Bush daughters were not "robbed" under the "protection of the Secret Service" - one of the daughters left her purse unattended, on the ground, while she was listening to music in the plaza and someone walking by simply grabbed it - she probably figured that the agents would keep an eye on it, but their job is to watch her, not her purse (not to mention that that was a couple of years ago, in a completely different part of town). I'd take the rumblings of a crime wave with a huge grain of salt.

jranger

We just arrived home from Argentina today. Had a wonderful trip. My husband was an attendee at the IBA conference in BA and we stayed at the Marriott. I personally spoke with a dozen people that had been robbed or mugged. My shopping parcels were stolen from our Marriott hotel room. I think the IBA lawyers and guests made ourselves targets: we had name tags, briefcases, umbrellas, etc. that made it all too evident who we were. I think many of us were naive and didn't take the necessary precautions to avoid being robbed or pickpocketed. I doubt street crime has increased generally; we just presented thousands (4800 attendees) of temptations.

alldaytravel

I returned from BA a few weeks ago and had the same concerns about safety. However, I have to say I always felt VERY safe in BA. If you're savvy and aware of your surroundings, don't wear flashy jewelry and use common sense, I think you'll be fine. We had no problems while we were there and never felt unsafe.

Take Radio Taxis (make sure it says Radio Taxi as all of the cabs look similar), use small bills and try to get a good feel for what the Argentinian pesos look like in advance so that you are less prone to receive counterfeit bills...Other than that, I think you'll be fine.

Street crime can happen anywhere and maybe it is more common in BA, but not in my experience.

nhulberg

I am in BA now...the end of our five days here, heading home in a couple of hours. (In Recoleta and Palermo hotels. ) This is any sort of scientific survey, but we have had absolutely zero problems and never felt uncomfortable. On the contrary, it has been a very pleasant stay.

avrooster

Great! Have a good trip home.

tully

Just returned today, absolutely no issues or any moments where I fely nervous. Taxi rates were fair (used radio taxis) and didn't try to take me for a ride. Just normal common sense and took care of my bag with me.

avrooster

Thank you, tully.

I would imagine this forum very much looks forward to your trip report.

When should we expect you back?

tptr

As I posted elsewhere. Abosulutely no problems facing crime during our BA stay. Ditto no problems with radio cabs save one short out of the way jaunt. That cab was hailed on the street at the Buquebus terminal.
No travelers should expect problems. Don't "flash" it around. Don't be silly.
tptr

DrG

My wife and I are from Chicago and we just spent a wonderful week in Buenos Aires. We felt perfectly safe. Of course our apartment was in Ricoletta though we were all ovfer this lovely city.