Any Need to Carry a Passport while in Buenos Aires?
 

With all the information about petty theft and pickpockets in BA, I am trying to carry a light bag during the day. Is there any reason why I would need to walk around with my passport? I have never done that in any foreign city I've traveled in so I presume the answer is no. Would a drivers license (USA) work for identification purposes?

I have never used an under clothing money belt but would you recommend doing so? Seems awkward but perhaps worth it. I thought I would just carry a small bag for my sunglasses, guidebook, etc and keep my money and ID in my money belt.

I would suggest making a color photo copy of your Passport photo page, and carry that with you, along with one CC and a small amount of money. That way you have what you need, along with your glasses etc., but the important documents, including your driver's license, are secured in a safe box in your lodgings.

If you are really comfortable with a money belt, use it; for me it is very awkward to access in many situations, so I would use it only for the international travel - if I were bringing a lot of cash (for a rental, for example).

Hello again, Sally. I just wanted to add that you should review the suggestions regarding taking taxis from the airport: Use only Remis services where you can prepay by CC or cash or Taxi Exeiza (cash payment only). Good Remis suggestions are: Tienda Leon, World Car, VIP...Do not take taxis from outside the airport - and do not change your money at the Change kiosks in the airport (better to use Banco de la Nacion).

Your cautious attitude will stand you in good stead, and allow for a good visit = careful, but not nervous.

We had to show our passport when we used our Visa card at Jumbo (large supermarket) - I don't know if they would have accepted a photocopy or a Driver's License - did you have that experience M-WDC?

We always showed our photocopy in Disco and Carrefours and everywhere else, but it is true that the large electronics store associated with the Jumbo required the actual passport (or cash). Good reminder Elizabeth.

Jumbo itself did accept our credit card with photocopy. However, these policies do change - so........

We aren't planning to make any large purchases so we should be okay without the passport. Thanks for the suggestion about the color photocopy. I will bring that along.

Not sure about the money belt. I'll have to see whether it is very awkward. Guess it won't work with a dress!!

I also found a tiny purse with a zipper that fits in my hand - enough for evenings with a tissue, lipstick and some pesos. And a key. Check around, this is so much more comfortable IMO than a money belt.

~M

Back from our trip. We were never asked for our passport anywhere, although I did keep a color copy of it with me. Kept the actual passport in the hotel room safe. I used a money belt only on the days when I needed to carry a lot of cash (to pay a tour guide, when i made a trip to the ATM).

There were plenty of ATMs around and although we were charged $5-10 to use them, we only did so twice, and it was no problm to withdraw cash. Except when I forgot my pin number but that was my problem!

More importantly, I was expecting the situation re: petty theft to be MUCH worse than it was. I never felt very nervous or threatened during the trip. Even at the Sunday San Telmo market, I just wore my bag across my chest and was fine. I didn't wear any jewelry and I left my iphone at home. I took a small digital camera and used it frequently. I wore my bag while seated at restaurants. No one bothered us, i didn't see anyone trying to scam any tourists and in general I found it just as safe as any other big city we've been to.

We took cabs everywhere but took Radio cabs off the street and never bothered to call them. Perhaps we were taken advantage of but it didn't seem like it as I learned the city's geography better.

Maybe we were just there in the off season but I am glad I wasn't scared off from the trip. It was a blast!

So glad to hear that your trip was 'a blast'. You were cautious, but not fearful, and that leads to an interesting sojourn in a wonderful city - like Buenos Aires.

Welcome home.

Would you consider a bit of a Trip Report?

Only time I was asked for my passport was at hotels and airports. My daughter and I were there for 2 weeks and never felt scared . We did have the hotel call for cabs for us. We used the subway in B. Aires and it was clean and cheap. We wished we would have used it earlier but it looked so creepy and didn't see many people using it like in NYC. Also we used a small across the shoulder bag.