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.