La Boca safety question
 

I'm in the middle of sketching out plans for our upcoming visit to Buenos Aires. We intend to visit San Telmo on a Sunday and would like to check out La Boca in the afternoon. I'm receiving mixed reviews from guidebooks and online.

Taking the usual precautions, is it recommended to walk from Parque Lezama down Avenida Almirante Brown to the water and continue on to Caminito and La Bombonera stadium? Should we take a bus or taxi instead? I'm also looking for some local advice on safe streets and areas to avoid in La Boca.

Thank you.

tripplanner001: you seem to be an experienced traveler. So, when you say "taking the usual precautions", I assume you know what you are doing. JIC: No I phones, no expensive cameras, or anything you would hate losing.

Police presence on weekends is almost nil in downtown BA. May I assume you know about the trick carried out by the people known as "mustardeers"?

This is a link to a report by a top poster about the Sunday San Telmo fair in which yours truly was involved: http://tinyurl.com/zy3cltv

I believe the La Boca area should simply be avoided by tourists, unless they are sure about what they are doing.

Caminito is the most touristy block in BA. Go, if you feel you MUST. Personally, I wouldn't be caught there dead, but then, I'm a local. I much prefer listening to Carlos Gardel singing about it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee79ZmClwzA

Try not to take cabs waiting in line outside touristy areas.

"taking the usual precautions", you'll have a great time in my town, tripplanner001

Thank you Avrooster. Your advice is very much appreciated. And yes I am aware of the mustard trick but the reminder is good. By usual precautions, I mean carry as little as possible (some cash, a small camera), watch my surroundings, avoid streets that are not well lit or look deserted, etc. I'm very much looking forward to visiting your home city.

It sure sounds as if you should have a great time in my town, tripplanner001.

Feel free to e-mail me to albertovgalloATyahoo.com if you feel there is anything a local could do for you.

If a brief (or even a lunch) visit to Caminito becons, then spending an hour or so seeing the buildings, the street tango, the wall art and the gift stalls (not much different from others, just lots of them in one place) and the Museum is fine. Given your and AV's cautions, above.

We and most of our visitors prefer to come and go there by Taxi - or by bus. I was only really uncomfortable once, when we veered off the main street and walked to the stadium - we were four people, mid-day, sunshine - still, it felt dodgy. Locals (and frequent visitors) tend to find it too 'touristy' and perhaps tacky...but to see the place once (one is, after all, a tourist) could be worth it.

Avrooster, thank you so much for the offer.

MarnieWDC, appreciate your feedback; thank you. I may still go or I may not, but it would be by bus or taxi if I do. We are four of us too.

Is there an official taxi stand somewhere at Caminito or would we have to call for a radio taxi? Is there one official company or are there a few?

Also, we plan on visiting on Dec. 3 and noticed that Boca Juniors will be playing at home that day. Does this mean there will be increased pedestrian activity in the area that afternoon?

I am quite certain that we just hailed a taxi from a main street there. Radio taxis could be called by the local restaurants, but unless they are called, Radio taxis are like other ones...perhaps a bit cleaner or larger - but not by much. You could also use Uber, if you are so inclined and connected.

About your: ¨Is there an official taxi stand somewhere at Caminito or would we have to call for a radio taxi? Is there one official company or are there a few?¨

My point, for whatever it may be worth, is precisely that I would NOT take one of the cabs waiting in line outside Caminito. I would walk half a block away and just hail one of the usually plentiful cabs cruising around, looking for fares.

There are many radio taxi companies, such as http://taxipremium.com.ar/

I usually suggest using a certain English-speaking lady cab driver. She can also drive you to and from the airport. If interested, I´ll post her contact info.

Not absolutely sure, but I believe Uber is not legal here, due to pressure from the powerful taxi drivers´ union.

I would be particularly careful if there is a game at the Bombonera that day.

Have a great time in my town.

Thank you again MarnieWDC and Avrooster. Only 20 days to go...

I have to agree with Avrooster that avoiding the taxis standing in wait for tourists outside any tourist venue is wise. Just a short walk away will allow you to hail a taxi...

Uber is, by reports, useful in BsAs, though not in the airports. I am unclear as to its legality.

Above I said: "I believe the La Boca area should simply be avoided by tourists, unless they are sure about what they are doing."

Unfortunately, this confirms my advice was correct:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2089742-l...estadounidense

All the years we lived in BA.. we never went to La Boca.
And I still don't feel like I missed anything.