Argentina : Safety by CityTaking into because it is one of the most densely inhabited cities in South America and the capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires is the center of culture, beautiful architecture, unforgettable nightlife, and glamorous tango.
Some of the must-see sights of Buenos Aires, among many, are Centro Cultural Kirchner, Parque 3 de Febrero, Santisimo Sacramento Basilica and Manzana de las Luces.
The architectural attractions of Buenos Aires were built in the 20th century.
Food and football are also tremendously popular in Buenos Aires, and watching Boca Juniors playing the football match at La Bombonera is the utmost sports experience, especially if it is played against their rivals River Plate.
Warnings & Dangers in Buenos Aires
OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM
Pickpockets are a standard occurrence, as in any other vast city, so be careful and pay attention to your belongings. Safety preventive measures are necessary and desirable.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : MEDIUM
As in every capital city, some taxis have no license, so it is better to call a radio taxi from a place where you are staying.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : HIGH
Pickpockets are in constant pursue of possible prey, especially when smartphones are concerned. Be ready to defeat various strategies that they are using and look out your personal possessions.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
Rain can be the cause of floods, which is in turn, followed by transportation issues and difficulties.
MUGGING RISK : HIGH
Muggings are very frequent and in the case the victim confronts, muggers even tend to hurt the person using force. Kidnapping is not very often and it usually leads to the victim giving his or her money to the muggers and then is released.
TERRORISM RISK : LOW
Terrorist attacks cannot be predicted, so you need to follow the advice given by the tourist guides, police or government.
SCAMS RISK : HIGH
Taxi drivers are very interested in overcharging and touring the city once they realize that tourist is not familiar with the city itself, to take as much money as they can. Your bag should always be near you, because of the bag snatching. You should be cautious to avoid being scammed by taxi drivers who usually tend to switch the bills. If you give them real bills, they will change them for fake ones and try to convince you that they are right. You should remain confident and if you happen to mention the police, they will recede.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : MEDIUM
Women should not walk alone at night, because they can catch the attention of some undesirable people. Women can travel to Buenos Aires without any problems, but they need to be careful when in crowds and rural places.
So... How Safe Is Buenos Aires Really?
Bearing in mind the fact that it is a cosmopolitan city with a huge population and growing development, Buenos Aires is not so dangerous city.
The safety index of 60% is the best indicator that tourists do not need to worry too much in case they decide to visit this great place.
As in any other capital, it is always essential to pay attention to your valuables and be wide awake in case you find yourself alone at night or in an isolated area.
The Buenos Aires metro area has more than 12 million inhabitants and a huge number of a socially vulnerable population, so you need to be vigilant, when your watches, jewelry, and mobile phones are in question.
Argentina’s justice system is broken, meaning that petty thefts are not prosecuted and the thieves do not go to jail.
Thus, they are on the street, making their methods flawless.
However, there is no need for great concern.
You only need to be aware that the fact that you are tourist attracts the lawbreakers for any kind of criminal action against you, and this is what you should take care of.
Stay in a good neighborhood, do not wear expensive jewelry, although you may get a much better rate, do not exchange money on the grey market and always have in mind the fact that everyone in Argentina believes that Buenos Aires is the most dangerous city in the country.
How Does Buenos Aires Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | 60 |
| Cordoba | 61 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
Useful Information
- Visas - Tourists are not in obligation to have a visa for entering the country. Their passport is valid documentation. However, visa is compulsory for some counties. Whether you need visa or not, can be found out on the site www.doyouneedvisa.com.
- Currency - The Argentine peso is the official currency in Argentina and ATM and Cash machines are available almost everywhere. Credit cards are also accepted, but you need to take care not to lose them.
- Weather - Buenos Aires climate is moderate which is characterized by cold and dry winters with frosts and hot summers with frequent thunderstorms.
- Airports - The busiest and largest airport is Buenos Aires-Ezeiza International Airport, with 85% of international traffic, and it is a hub for Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM Argentina international flights.
- Travel Insurance - Travel insurance is preferable and the insurance against theft is sincerely advised to the travelers. World Nomads is a firm travel insurance company which offers 24-hour emergency assistance for the tourist from 150 countries and their services also include the covering of stolen or damaged baggage.
Buenos Aires Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 29 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 28 |
| Low °C | 21 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 19 |
| High °F | 84 | 82 | 79 | 72 | 66 | 61 | 59 | 63 | 64 | 72 | 77 | 82 |
| Low °F | 70 | 68 | 66 | 59 | 54 | 48 | 46 | 50 | 52 | 57 | 63 | 66 |
I wanted to go to Buenos Aires last summer but my brother and mother talked me out of it. They said it was too risky. I want to go this year and once again, they are telling me not to. This time however, I am planning on going with a group of 6 that includes 4 men. I know we need to be aware of the risks but based on my research, if you know what you are doing and don’t travel alone, you will be fine.
Try not to look lost
You should ask yourself why is risky?
I live in Buenos Aires and is full of tourists everywhere. It’s dangerous if you go to the outskirts at night. If you’re cautious with your belongings you’re pretty safe.
From someone who lives in Buenos Aires
Don’t be scared to travel because of other people’s fears. I live here and it’s definitely not a city to be scared of like your mom and brother are saying. Lots of solo travelers and groups come to Argentina. Be street smart and you’ll be fine.
Buenos Aires is generally a safe city
Sarah, I have been to Argentina four times, the first being in 1997, the second six months before the terrible financial crisis at the end of 2001 and the most recent being just before Covid, Dec 2019 to January 2020. Buenos Aires is a relatively safe city for its size, and it is considerably safer than comparably sized American cities. There are some problems with “motochorros”, robbers riding motorcycles, although some of these are illegal immigrants. There are districts to be avoided, but the Microcentro area which includes El Obelisco, the area down to Plaza de Mayo and Puerto Madero, north towards Retiro (but the railway station area is a bit dodgy) and west to El Congreso is fine.
BsAs is a fantastic city to visit. If you are a country bumpkin then yeah you might be intimidated. Follow normal big city advice and you will be fine. I pray I will be able to visit again after this COVID 19 B.S. is all finished….
Sooo good
Nice place Buenos Aires. There are thieves and stuff but where arent?
Be careful but enjoy!!!
I have wanted to go to santa rosa lampa for a couple of years and maybe move there if I find what want. Would like E Mail friend that lives there to talk to. Hope to hear from someone that can advise.
Cuidado!
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Solo Female Traveller
I went as a solo female traveller just before covid. I stayed right in the city centre & walked around all day with no issues. At night, I took taxis to bars to meet up with friends & taxis are very cheap in Argentina.
I had a group tour of other parts of the city including La Boca & the guide told us not to go back there when it was dark.
You are braver than I! This is one of the places I would never do solo. Anything that has high crime among other issues, it is always best to not go alone. Thankfully nothing happened to you. I went with a small group of friends and while I felt okay mostly, at night I was too scared to go far from my hotel which kind of ruined the trip for me.
Won't go back to BsAs
I was in BsAs and other parts ARG 3x in the past 12 years. I’ve been ripped off and threatened but was considering returning to live for 2-3 months because of the amazing exchange rate. However, what is the point of having a great exchange rate if you get ripped off shortly (or anytime) after you get the pesos? If in the future I read that the government truly cracks down on taxi thiefs and other thugs, in a true attempt to draw back long-term visitors, I’ll possibly reconsider. The ARG thugs and the population as a whole need to know, as someone wrote on another site, that they are shooting themselves in their own feet (and other more valuable body parts) by mugging and endangering the very people who want to come in and spend money. Their own co-thugs need to crack down on them but I don’t see that happening soon.
Great city and never had any issues. Safer than big cities in the US.
Buenos Aires is safe, full of energy and well worth a visit or two
Honestly, I think Buenos Aires is safer than the 60 Safety Index you’ve given it. I think it’s a 74-75 for sure, especially for tourists. As a tourist you should travel and visit areas that are safe and worth the travel in the city and these areas are very safe.
Of course the city has spots that are dangerous, of course it has pickpockets and thieves. What big city doesn’t? Wherever there are crowds of people, you will find pickpockets, no matter the city. And the bigger the city, the more people live there and the more chances are that thieves will want to operate there.
With this out of the way, I think Buenos Aires is a great place to visit. Take a tour of the President’s Pink House or Casa Rosada or the very colorful neighborhood, La Boca (which is filled with artists that use the street and buildings as their canvas).
The Metropolitan Cathedral (with impressive art pieces inside, some from 1871) or the Colón Theater (which is considered to boast the best acoustics). Don’t forget the Jardín Botánico which is a piece of paradise, expanding over 20 acres, with lakes, bridges, plants and over 5000 flower species. A must visit if you ask me.
The Recoleta Cemetery is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I’ve ever seen. You’ll find many elaborate mausoleums here, with many famous people resting in this cemetery. Argentinians are very interested in death and in honoring their ancestors after they die and this place is a testament to that.
We’ve stayed at the Mine Hotel Boutique (and we highly recommend them) which is a place where we felt at home, with outdoor pool, great prices, family rooms and nice, attentive staff. We’ve also had a chance to dance the tango while here and we will be back for sure. It’s that kind of place that makes you feel like you belong, you know?
From someone who lives in Buenos Aires
American living in Buenos Aires for the last 10 years. Unless you want to pay double for everything do not use credit cards or ATM’s here. The dollar blue is a better exchange rate than the official. Bring new 100s or 50s, nothing smaller, no writing or pen marks.
Also, it’s not unsafe for women as this article speaks of, I don’t feel afraid to walk alone at night and never have.
If you go to places like La Boca, only go within the tourist area and do not venture off that and do not hang out there at night. Same with places like Retiro.
The article mentions pick pocketing, and yes cell phones are stolen here quite frequently. Don’t put valuables in your backpack and walk around, without a doubt you have a high chance that they will be opened and you won’t feel it until you get somewhere and notice your stuff is gone. Be aware of your surroundings. There is a risk of scams and taxis taking a more “touristic route” but you can always map your route out before you get in a taxi. Uber works here as well, but you can only pay in cash.
Keep your wits about you and pay attention and you should be fine.