Staying Safe in Buenos Aires
 

Hello, fellow Fodorites! After my last trip home, I realized it would be a good idea to prepare a brief list of do's and dont's for people traveling to Buenos Aires. Having my mum's home broken into in the 30 minutes it took us to go out to buy icecream, and the fact that a visibly pregnant girlfriend got violently robbed as she exited an ATM at noon in Recoleta have highlighted my sense that--while the city is great--visitors should be aware of its dangers. I'm getting things started with three tips.

1. As far as possible, instead of hailing taxis in the street, try to use cab companies (they can be what we call "radio taxis" or "remisses"). You call them on the phone, and they come pick you up.

2. Avoid wearing expensive watches and/or jewelry. The only thing I wear when I go home is my wedding band and fake pearl earrings. Ditto with regards to flashing Blackberries or iPhones.

3. I think the best advice for ATMs is to go during bank operation hours, using those ATMs located inside the bank. If that is not possible--especially if you are a woman--try to have a friend accompany you.

Actually #2 and #3 are good ideas anywhere. I don't think in terms of being so much as losing jewellery - I'd hate to remember my trip as the one where I lost my favourite piece of jewellery. And the ATM thing - I've had one or two situations where the ATM doesn't work - best to be inside a bank if that happens.

I always suggest #1 and I agree that #2 & #3 are good ideas anywhere.

http://tangoinhereyes.blogspot.com/2...nos-aires.html

I came across this the other day .. funny and true. Especially the safari thing lol

There are banks that are open on Sundays, on Las Heras and other streets that are busy and safe. You don't always have to go during business hours.

I doubt pearls would be on the list of items the thieves here want, but if you think fakes are going to make a difference, think again. These are not jewel thieves like in a movie, they are rough young thugs who will yank off your jewelry/purse/whatever and not care if they hurt you in the process. So if it shines or looks expensive, don't wear it, regardless of fake or genuine. Or Chinatown Designer bag or real designer bag.
They are mainly interested in Rolex watches and cameras, iPhones and cash.

You can hail a Radio Taxi on the street. I have lived here 2 years now, I take radio cabs and the non-radio cabs every day.
Too bad about your friend.

What neighborhood is your mums home in ?
How did they get in?
and where was the bank where your friend was robbed?
I have not seen a bank without a guard at the door or a policeman outside the door ... what happened ?

Hi, Scarlett. My mum lives in San Isidro-they broke the door. I don't know what ATM my friend used the time got mugged, but she ended up being thrown on the floor by the guy.
I know they'll take whatever looks expensive, but taking your earrings will be harder than taking a gold chain or watch. I have to admit that I still feel relatively safe because being from BA at least I know my way around town and am aware of the possible dangers--I moved to DC 5 years ago, but go back home twice a year. I was thinking of starting a thread for those who go to BA for the first time, and may be unaware of the crime situation there.

Cool blog.

Those are tips to be considered in any big city...
You are right about radio taxis, and regarding ATM's you should ALWAYS TRY go during bank operation hours. I really don't know which are the banks opened during Sundays because they just don't work during Saturdays and Sundays, they are all closed. Another ATM you can go are the ones located in malls or similar places, like the one inside the Village Recoleta (where the cinema is located). Also, be aware no one enters right after you and when you are inside do not open to people if they don't have their one cards.
And when walking along the streets, be aware of your back-pack. If you can, take it on your front and not on your back (a couple of weeks ago I was walking on Santa Fe av. and someone tried to open it). Unfortunately in Buenos Aires you have to be 100 eyes, but that's the way we live...

anne, I think most people are so aware of the possibilities of crime/purse snatching / mugging etc that they are all afraid to come here! There are so many stories that it can be really scary for people planning a trip here.
We live in Recoleta and bank and walk and live in this town and have not been robbed .. I think the better caution would be to tell people not to behave in a mindless/clueless way.. carrying large amounts of money, wearing flashy jewelry, standing in the middle of the street reading a map with a camera around your neck..
Disco grocery stores have ATM machines and a guard is always standing inside the store, there are plenty of places someone can get cash without being afraid. Village Recoleta is nice but jammed with tourists and it would be easy for someone to follow you out of the theatre into the street.
No one should take more money than they need for the day .. then it is not a horrible loss if they do get pickpocketd.

I thought San Isidro was so very beautiful when we were first researching our move here, the reason we did not go that far north of BA was the distance from the city .. and our pathetic Spanish :)
But I have been reading a lot lately about robberies in homes in San Isidro and north of there.. horrible. Those shootings a few months back were horrible too.

Your poor friend, how awful. It is scary enough to be robbed but to be knocked down and pregnant .. I hope she got over it and was not terrified to go out again ! I wonder how I would be after something like that ... probably get a bodyguard lol..

Yes, I like that Blog ..

This one is a favorite of ours too.. My husband discovered it right after we moved here, we use it all the time, and the girl , Sandra, is soooo nice !
We have been so very lucky in meeting so many great people here. It is a major part of why we are happy living here :)

http://www.batravelguide.com/

bookmarking

All good sensible advice for any city around the world. I have to say however, that having spent a month in the fair city of Buenos Aires last December,I did not feel threatened in any way or indeed any less safe than in any other big city in the world I have visited.

That's right crellston! I think all the tips we mentioned are to be considered in any big city. And it's also true that you can't live with fear all the time, at least that is the way I live in Buenos Aires, if it has to happen it will happen. But always trying to take precautions

Scarlett: you are right! Disco grocery's as well as others like Carrefour or Coto usually have atm's inside, but they are not banks. I would like to clarify that so people don't get confused, no banks are not opened during weekends like you said at first, but there are atm's in those grocery stores as you mentioned in your last post.

I was referring to ATM machines, sofi. Annes friend was robbed at an ATM at a bank.
The grocery stores are open all weekend and have a policeman/guard by the ATM machine .. you really don't need a teller anyway- not as a tourist.

Sorry Scarlett, you are absolutely right :) but in your first post you stated "There are banks that are open on Sundays..." so I just wanted to clarify this in case any other person reads our tips
Anyway, I believe in destiny and if you are to be robbed you will be robbed, no matter where you are. Just in case we should always be aware :)

Let's hope being robbed is <B>not</B> in our destiny !! :) But I agree with you, some people do everything right and still get robbed or their pocket is picked .. others wander around with their head in the clouds and nothing ever happens. I hope I am the one with the head in the clouds lol.

Scarlett: I hope I'm one of yours too!!! let's have our fingers crossed!

Oh sofi, the banks are not open in the sense that people are working inside but using your card to open the door, you can access any bank ATM machine.. on Sundays also. We use BNP Paribas.. On Sunday, there is a bank on Las Heras, not far from the corner of Pueyrredon, that is always busy and there is a guard there..

Yes, but you don't usually see guards present other than during bank operation hours; the rest of the time, there is typically nobody there.

Depends on where you are.

So if you don't see a guard or the bank is deserted, there are so many other banks everywhere, go to another one.

This may be obvious but when you are in a closed place (subway or bus) try not to speak too loud in a foreign language. This will help to keep others from noticing that you are a tourist.

Hello,

That's a shame that you've had bad experiences, so far I think I've been quite lucky then (touch wood!). As in any major city I agree with not speaking a foreign language loudly, using radio taxis and avoiding ATMs at night. If you're travelling alone or in a group of girls perhaps it would be better to take guided tours or book through travel agents... But, dont be put off, Buenos Aires has a LOT to offer and is very accesible for tourists, just bear the advice in mind and enjoy it as much as possible!

rowlesjr, You might think that not talking loudly in a foreign language on a bus or freeway would be obvious...but this basic truism has thus far escaped my wife...I am going to copy your post and share it with her. :)

I am possibly going to BA in early September (schedule permitting) for the first time. One thing I really love to do is walk, both during the day, and at night after dinner or going out. I mean serious walking - if my hotel is a mile or two from dinner, fine, I will walk. I have spent a lot of time in Mexico City , and some time in Rio, and it killed me not to be able to walk and enjoy the city. I really love just wandering and discovering in a new city; is this possible?

I am trying to figure out how dangerous BA is. I know this is a difficult and subjective question. For example, if I am staying in Palermo and wanted to walk around at night alone, is that ok? Can you walk from Recoleta to Palermo in the day/ night? (I am a fortyish male traveling alone, (blonde and caucasian, if that matters, as it does in Mexico)).

Thank you.

fishskis
I walk from Recoleta to Palermo and back all the time.
I tend to go on Libertador when walking To Palermo and back on Las Heras ... two totally different streets and no particular reason, Libertador will be the prettiest street though .. Las Heras is a busy shopping street with lots of people out.
There are plenty of blondes and redheads here, Porteños are very European..in looks and in style.
As in any city in the world, it depends on the street/neighborhood when you want to be safe at night when walking..

I spent some time in a couple of different neighborhoods in Mexico City. I walked everywhere in Palanco. In other neighborhoods I was much more cautious. The same is true in Buenos Aires.

Leave your Rolex at home and dont overdress...carry your back pack on your side or front...walk against traffic whenever you can...remain aware of your surroundings...you should be fine...

I walk the same streets as Scarlett fwiw...we have probably passed each other without knowing it....lol...

In Palermo Soho/Viejo/Hollywood...there are some areas with lots of people out and about and some areas that are not as well lit and not as many people...I would be wary about going out at night to walk in these areas....also, the area around the railroad tracks in Palermo Viejo is not a great spot to walk after dark...

dr dawggy, that is so true. Someday we will recognise each other.. somehow :)
Perhaps the dog will be the clue lol

I just read about an actress in London being mugged/robbed in broad daylight, of her very expensive Rolex watch .. her arm was hurt but she lived to tell the tale.

I use my cell phone as a watch.
And it is not an iPhone :)

I always walk Santa Fe Av, also a shopping area.
Just to let you know, if you are walking along the Palermo Parks area at night you should know that this is a red-light district, with lots of transvestites working. They used to work in another area in the Palermo district but the goverment don't let them work anywhere near schools or residential zones so they decided to work in the parks.

Thank you everyone for the replies; very helpful.

(Incidentally, drdawggy, I always stay in Polanco. I walk around Polanco occasionally in the daytime, never at night. My friends who live there are not happy when I tell them I have been walking around; too many of their own family members and employees have been victims of crime...even in Polanco.).

I did not walk around Polanco at night either...and I do not do much walking at night in Buenos Aires. I have stayed in Palermo Soho, Retiro, Recoleta, and Palermo Botanico. The one area where I do walk at night is in Palermo Botanico (or at least my little zone in Botanico)....

We are thinking of staying at the Ayres de Palermo on Santa Fe Ave. How's that area for safety? There are six of us and DH looks like a member of ZZ Top and doesn't get messed with too much anywhere we go.

I visit B.A. during stays in Campana. I found using an ATM to be expensive and frustrating, at times. It seems I'm limited to 300 pesos at a fee of 35 pesos. At today's rate it's costing me US$6.00 to get fifty dollars worth of pesos.
Better I find is to have one of the folks back home wire money to me via Western Union. You can get two or three hundred at a time for a fee of about 15.00 US. There are Western Unions everywhere, Postoffice(Correo) Carrefour (open Sat. and sun. in Campana), etc. Just make sure you have a photo copy of your passport with you. It's pretty easy to do and your not 'standing-out' at an ATM.

Four years later?

I still feel Fodor's should close long inactive threads to new posts.

Reads like an ad, but who would bother advertising WU? (Which is ridiculously expensive.)

Western Union in Argentina does not give you the currency you are wired. It gives you pesos at the official rate. I cannot understand how anyone can recommend using them for wiring money to our country.