How safe is Buenos Aires?

[saras]

I am planning to spend a lot of time in South America next year, hoping to spend a month or more in at least a few cities/countries. I've heard a lot of good things about BA, but I'm a bit concerned about safety. Would you say Buenos Aires is a safe city? I'm more concerned about things that would put me in danger, not so much pickpocketing and the like...

Also, are there certain parts of the city I should avoid to be safer? Do you have any recommendations for neighborhoods to rent a room that are both safe, well connected, and not too expensive?

Thanks!

[Alexis_Polak]

Hi Sara ! First time helping someone here and it's a coincidence because i got Czech descent.

Buenos Aires is like any other major city, is even safer than some European capitals like Rome. I live here for 20 years and had only a robbery but then, no one in my family was stolen or had some problem like that. The safest areas are the neighborhoods of Belgrano, Palermo and Recoleta, but are also the most expensive to rent, the cheapest of the three is Palermo, which also has a lot of tourist movement, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. However, with the monetary change, I do not think it's a problem for you. The three neighborhoods have good transport links in general, Buenos Aires is a well connected place and will not have any problem to get around the city.

Usually in tourist areas they are generally safe too. If you got carefully, and avoid certain areas (mainly at night), you can rest assured that nothing will happen to you. Perhaps the biggest problem may be if you are traveling by subway or bus, when you go down it, be careful of pickpockets, but usually does not happen as often either. People in Argentina is usually pretty good with turist, you will not have any problem ask someone on the street, even if they do not understand they will try to do our best to help you find a street or go somewhere.

I hope it help. If you need anything, just ask

Beso !

[Mariano_Rodriguez]

Hi Sara,

I live in Buenos Aires and is mostly a safe city but you should take into consideration most of the usual security measures / recommendations as in any big city.

First recommendation is look like a "porteño" -> (porteño = people that lives in Capital Federal), don´t show off, leave your valuable objects out of the view and visit places where people goes and look like a local and go where the locals

People here is friendly with turism.Take into consideration some speak english but mainly spanish (local language) but they will effort to help you

Public transport is good in Capital Federal, take into consideration to get a Sube card. It´s a card to use buses, train and subway. You should be a local to get one and it need to be charged previously but there are several kiosks that sell it charged. Just ask "donde puedo comprar una tarjeta sube?"

Also you have Uber (but there is some controversy here about them with taxi drivers) so, mostly taxis. Are expensive but if you are not in a budget simplify your life a lot.

Regarding taxi use, take into consideration they prefer ARS (pesos argentinos). Being turist, don´t go with the street ones in order not to be cheated (unfortunately there are good and the other kind of drivers who sometimes try to cheat turists...) -> I recommend you to get maybe a local chip for your phone for calling a radio taxi for example one big is named Premium (more secure) or ask for them in the front desk of your hotel / place.

When arrive to Ezeiza or Aeroparque, be prepared to be charged more than the usual price (it happens all around the work). Don´t go with the ones outside... It´s better to ask in the counters inside for a taxi / remise in ARS (pesos argentinos), and you´ll be fine. In my opinion is not good to call Uber there because taxi drivers there could cause you problems.

Im Capital Federal there are some bicisendas and the goverment offers some free bikes to go around the city but you have to let your passport / ID, so, think about it. Maybe you can find some place that rent bikes or offer guided bike tours instead. Be careful with traffic in Capital Federal.

Take care when exchanging your money. Do not exchange money at the airport (just the necesary) an NEVER in the streets... do it in banks -I don´t know if banks exchange to turists- or "casas de cambio" only. They are mostly anywhere in the city (mostly in Microcentro during the week and only during the day)

Credit cards are accepted in most stablished places but you need some change in order to move because not all the shops / places accept them. Carry with you minumum ARS 1000 / 1500 with some change for some cases (USD 70 / USD 100).

Exchange rate aprox.: 1 us dollar = aprox ARS 15 pesos argentinos. If you have euros = the same recommendation obviuosly but for people here is most common deal with US dollars

For you to know, I will put the word "day" on the places you can go better in that time of the day and "night" or / and "day / night" according my experience and where is nicer / safer to go / stay, of course "s.h.i.t. happens", but don´t be afraid... as in any place in the world just be cautious when your gut tells don´t stay / go to that place...:

if you are thinking visiting Capìtal Federal there are many places to visit:

Ask for a kiosk where they can provide turism information where you can know more about Buenos Aires and local atractions.

• Palermo -day / night- pubs, restaurantes, nightlife. Shops during day, planetario, hotels / hostels greenlife,walk, bike rental, artificial lake, Hipodromo (horse racing), even if you don´t gamble is a nice place to visit

• Belgrano day / night: shops during day, restaurantes, cafes,

• San Telmo have restaurants, shops selling historic stuff, hostels (If I were turist I woul not stay there -but just because of my "taste"), ferias and walking during the day and there are some movement / shows also during weekends- day / night -but only night some days, not a nice place to stay when there´s nobody around-

• Puerto Madero -day / night- Restaurantes, pubs, cafes, riverside, protected by Prefectura (river police)

• Costanera: riverside -day / night- Restaurantes, carritos to eat some sandwiches "al paso" (during day)

• Recoleta -day / night- pubs, restaurantes, nightlife, shops

• Barrio Norte -day / night- pubs, restaurantes, Shopping, shops

• Nuñez -day- - there you have River Plate stadium if you want to watch a match -mostly sundays- and better location than La Boca

• La Boca -day- -Caminito, La Bombonera -Boca Jrs Stadium-, etc someone said this is THE place to go to watch a soccer match, but I don´t like that part of the city for a turist to go alone, even the atmosphere inside the stadium is rare in my opinion, but maybe you can find a guided tour and it´s a really nice thing to do and you´ll find how "La Bombonera late"

In downtown

• Calle Corrientes -day. has some theaters and restaurantes (pizza al paso, asado, etc).

• Also in downtown -day- you can visit el Congreso, Casa Rosada, Obelisco, Catedral, some historical places. Mainly to go during day.

• I prefer downtown during day, when people is there. I don´t like downtime at night the atmosphere changes a lot during weekdays and you have to know where go (in case would like to go at night find a local to go with you and better during weekends)

• Also sarch for a tour day -search for Buenos Aires Bus, it has 24 stops fot you to visit some distinctive places from Capital Federal / downtown- it´s paid bus without roof but looks niche for turism and you can visit every stop

For renting or hotel I would recommend stay away from downtown (again I don´t like it at night). Better go to Palermo, there you have a lot of youth, nightlife, restaurants, pubs, discos and is well located.

Puerto Madero is also a nice place to stay and very well located and secure but less variety and expensive (I don´t know what´s your budget) but you can find some nice places and more expensive hotels. There you have HIlton, Faena, etc. but also some places in Airbnb.

Take into consideration that here in Buenos Aires we are some like "owls" and there is a lot of nightlife (even during some days of the week) you´ll find restaurantes and cafes opened late at night

If you want to visit places in Buenos Aires but outside Capital Federal, go to north. There you have cities like San Isidro, Olivos, Martinez, places to go out, drink / eat and the river + river sports + Shoppings even in San Isidro you have el Hipodromo (horse racing), even if you don´t gamble is a nice place to visit.

For reaching those places you have public transport -I recommend el Tren de la Costa- which is nice to stop by some stations and walk (during the day and mostly weekends) but is also ok to go in car during day / night because of the distances.

Regarding WiFi (fundamental topic!), you´ll find that most of the cafes / restaurantes give complimentary access. In case it´s rotected, just aks for the SID / password... Even there is open signal in some squares (anyway don´t go over there showing your phone) lol

I heard Buenos Aires is some kind of expensive destination for tourists, but for sure you´ll love it! You´ll find places to visit, many people to meet and also fun!

Wow! hope my recommendations will make your trip even better. Any other question, plase let me know and I will do my best to help

Have a nice trip!

[anibal]

Hi,

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and it can be visited safely.

However, as tourist, you only have to travel with care. For instance, always choose a company taxi, double-check your bookings and take a great care of your belongings. Avoid remote locations in provincia de Buenos Aires and move around where you are with other tourists.

Keep your electronic devices with you. Do not show your mobile phone in the street and keep it in your inner pockets.

Additionally, keep your identification and credit cards with you. Keep in my mind each security layer. For instance, if you leave your bag in a rent room or in a bus, it could be stolen (even your bag in the airport can be opened).

Recoleta, San Telmo and Palermo are well-known neighborhoods where you can easily find rooms. However, they can be expensive. Belgrano and Nuñez are in the north side of the city and very popular, where you can find a second level of rooms for tourism.

In general, north side of the city is safer than the south. Concerning to the dangers, robbery is the most common issue and it is extremely rare to hear about cases beyond that.

According to my experience, I lived in Buenos Aires for 40 years and only experienced in person two cases of pickpocketing when I was not keeping the right distance. Beyond that, a lovely city.

Happy Journey!

[Franco_Laiuppa]

Hey Sara! It's great to hear that! I've lived in Buenos Aires for 4 years (and I was born in Argentina). I can tell you it's pretty safe as long as you use common sense and try not to go out at night in not-so-crowded areas.

IMHO There are a couple of neighborhoods that aren't made for visiting: Lugano, Nueva Pompeya, Villa Soldati, Liniers, Mataderos (south + southwest). As a rule of thumb, south from Autopista 25 de Mayo it gets "complicated".

Depending on what you like as a neighborhood I would recommend:
Hipstery like: Villa Crespo (more residential + cafes), Palermo (SoHo,Hollywood) [bars,tourists],
Residential like: Colegiales, Caballito
More expensive: All the north of Buenos Aires (Belgrano, Nuñez, Cañitas).

If I would need to pick one, I would always come back to Villa Crespo, it makes you feel like home on the first try.

let me know if you need more help, I'll be glad to help! Saludos!

[Julia_Kaiser]

Hi Sara - BA is not a dangerous city, you just have to be careful and use basic common sense. That means sticking to areas that are well lit, avoiding certain neighborhoods at night and keeping an eye on your belongings at all times. Pickpocketing is really the most common danger, more serious types of assaults do happen (as they do pretty much everywhere else) but are rare. And if you take those basic precautions you'll be fine, you shouldn't worry too much about it.
I would recommend Palermo as a place to stay. It's a safe neighborhood, you'll be able to find reasonably-priced hostels there, plenty of things to do and means of transportation that will take you anywhere you want to go.
Many people stay in hostels in the San Telmo neighborhood, which is okay, but transportation to and from other neighborhoods is not as good there and it's not as safe - it's a place I'd rather advice people to visit during the day and particularly on weekends.
I hope this is helpful for you - if you have any other doubts I'll be happy to help.
Enjoy your trip!
Julia

[Gabriel_Benmergui]

Buenos Aires is a huge heterogeneous city. The nicest parts of the city are safe: Palermo, Recoleta, which is where foreigners usually stay and where most of the tourist activities are.

As someone that lived in San Francisco (but native to Buenos Aires), Buenos Aires is feels safer to me in the nicest parts.

I think the most common crime you can be a victim of is getting pickpocketed , specially your phone, but as long as you keep it handy and safe you will not experience anything negative.

[Fabian_Szulanski1]

In general, Buenos Aires is not an unsafe city, but you should certainly be aware that some insecurity events - such as motorcycle folks pulling your purse or some folk making you fall so they can rob you- may pop up everywhere at any time. Armed robbery is not so ubiquitous / frequent.
You should definitely avoid most of the southern part of the capital city for living. Look for the northern part of the city. No ultra cheap neighborhood in the north, but you could look in websites and compare specific properties to rent.
Safe, well connected and not too expensive? Palermo, Barrio Norte, Belgrano. The closer to the subway, the better.

[Matias_Duarte]

Hello, I'm from BA, my English is not the best but I will try to be as clear as posible.
I have to tell you that there are a few places that indeed are quite dangerous to visit here. Plaza Once, Plaza Retiro, el barrio La Boca, Liniers, Doc Sud are the locations you should avoid inside the city. Also the zones called Villa 'something' or Villas in general. They are sites to be alert day or night, and have nothing good to offer.
In the middle of the insecurity scale Palermo, San Nicolas, Retiro (near the coast) are places that are beautiful at day and spend the weekends there is quite enjoyable, but at night you have to be carefull, especially in secondary streets.
The more secure places are in the north side of BA, Colegiales, Villa Crespo, Belgrano.

Sorrounding the city, in the called Gran Buenos Aires you have 3 zones, Zona Norte, Zona Oeste and Zona Norte.
In Zona Norte you have the most secure, pacefull neighborhoods you can find (but also with lot of movement, activities and life) but is also the most expensive of the outside zones.
I recommend you that for a pacefull life go to Colegiales or some town of Zona Norte, and to enjoy the night and the city in the most Porteña way go to Palermo.

I hope my review had helped you. Bye!

[Victoria_Favia]

Hi Sara!!
There's nothing to worry in Buenos Aires. It is like anyother big city where you should be careful but you can totally walk alone in the streets and feel safe.

It is best to avoid downtown during the night. San Telmo is a great place to visit but a bit dark to walk around at night too. My recommendation is to stay (sleep) near: Villa Crespo, Barrio Norte, Belgrano, Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Las Cañitas and Recoleta (this is ordered from $ -- $$$)

Tigre, San Isidro and Martinez are outside Capital Federal and are really nice too! but if you are alone and don't have a car to move around its best to stay in Capital. Other places outside C.F. are not recommended.

Capital federal is like Manhattan and Tigre and San isidro are a less cooler Brooklyn.

[Yani_Kempner]

Hello Sara, you do not have to worry about safety here in BA, but it does not mean you do not have to pay atention and be carefull, there are some places, like San Telmo for example, which is a pretty good neighborhood during day, but not so safe during night. You just need to pay attention, and not take your camera or cel phone out every time. Just watch around.
Best places to stay are Palermo, which is also very popular, or Recoleta, a neighborhood which a lot of people choose to stay in when they are here.
Avoid places like La boca or San Telmo during night, try to no to go out completely by yourself if its late, but be relaxed, there are low chances of something bad to happen.
Enjoy, good luck!

[Juan_Francisco_Aldas]

Hi Sara,

I hope you are doing well! Nice Plan! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

I would say Buenos Aires is like any other big city in the world. Of course there's a lot of prejudices about Latin America, but you just need to be cautious like in any other big city. I've seen you been in the bay area, I also been there and "Tenderloin" was way more scary than most places I've visited in Latin America. Perhaps there are other opinions but this is my point of view. I've always been cautious and never been robbed or anything here. Do you know some Spanish?

Regarding neighbourhoods, I'd recommend you to avoid some of them by night. and like any other city, the nicest neighbourhood are always the most expensive ones. My top pick would be "Palermo", I live there and I think it's well connected, there's plenty of things to do.

Cheers,
Juanfra.

[Juan_Manuel_Zolezzi]

Buenos Aires is mostly safe. Like almost all big cities, it has places that needs to be avoided.

For example I lived here for more than 20 years and I never had any any problems.

Of course, I did hear about friends or people getting robbed, but not more than I heard in Madrid for example.

The neighbour that most people from abroad choose is Palermo, because it haseems plenty of places to visit. If you plan to move around, I advice to choose a place near a subway station.

Of course, be a little alert on the street, try to avoid showing off your mobile phone and enjoy the city.

[Pocha]

Hey Sara! As all big cities you have to be careful with the pickpockets. BA is not dangerous, you have to be careful, while you walk the city don't use the cellphone. When you take taxis be careful because they will try to take advantage, as for example making a longer trip, or if you pay them with 100$ (pesos) they will try to change it into a false one. But I think all those things happen in every city.
The safety places to stay are Palermo, Barrio Norte, Recoleta and Puerto madero.
When you go to la boca, go during morning, and leave at 2pm, because then it is not safe, less people and is a little dangerous, many pickpockets.
BA is a lovely city, and people are really nice.
If you have any doubt, I will try to clarify.

[El_Patito_Ramirez]

Hi Sara,

What part of Buenos Aires are you planning to visit?, Capital Federal?. There are some good neighborhoods to rent, San Telmo is so beatiful if you like the history and old houses, you can visit el Cabildo, La Casa Rosada, Puerto Madero, etc.. This is the best location for tourist because it's safe and you can move to any place of the city, you got subways, buses, restaurants, etc. The disadvantage is the cost, San Telmo is one of the expensive neighborhoods for all these things but you will be very confortable.

You can rent on another neighborhoods as Palermo, Belgrano or Congreso but if you wan to visit different places, museum, etc. you will need to travel often, you can use the subway to travel to the most important places. Palermo has a good gastronomy and bars, you can take drinks and enjoy going out at night. Try to learn some words or sentences in Spanish, B.A. is prepared for tourists but it's a good idea know some works to ask for food, to take a taxi, bus, etc.

Buenos Aires is safe like most of the main cities in the world, if you take official taxis, move on subways or buses you won't have problems, just becareful with personal objects on the street, there are some pickpocket but nothing dangerous or violent if you are alert, this is common on this kind of city as Rome, Paris, etc.

I hope you can visit our country and enjoy an awesome travel.
If you have more questions you just need to ask.

Regards.

[Serafin_Danessa]

Hi Sara!
BA is quite a safe city. Of course you have exceptions, but isn't a place where you should be worried. Just paying attention around you, as any big city, it's usually enough.
There are some areas where you maybe should avoid going alone, specially at night, but most of the popular neighborhoods are as safe as many other mayor cities.

The most popular places for foreigns to rent are Palermo and Recoleta (Both quite expensive), but there's some other around, live Villa Crespo, that are a bit less expensive and still well connected and safe.
I recommend you to stay in a hostel or similar first, while you visit places to rent, to know the area better before.

Hope you have a good time!

[Duran_Alejandro]

Generally speaking Buenos Aires is a safe city and particularly downtown you can go over even at night. Said that, you should keep the same caution than any other big city. As you plan to spend some time, touristic neighborhoods (Recoleta, Retiro Palermo, San Nicolás, Puerto Madero) would be expensive, so you can choose San Telmo, Monserrat, Balvanera, Almagro or even Colegiales. Also as a general reference the north path neighborhoods are safer (but all depend about what you re looking for). Hope this help.

[fabio_rocca]

Hi Sara, Buenos Aires is not a safe city. Seguramente es una ciudad que no podes no visitar pero, a mi juicio solo podes dar vuelta de paseo de dia y no la noche. No tengo idea si pensabas de ir sola o acompañada da alguien pero seria mejor la segunda opcion. Por lo que reguarda el alojamiento podes buscar en sitios como www.compartodepto.ar donde podes lograr encontrar algo que no sea demasiado caro, .uchas veces se encuentran lugares bonitos para compartir con estudiantes. Espero que esto pueda resultar util.

[Jose_Luis_Franchino]

Buenos Aires used to be a verysafe city but inyhe last years this was changing. Its depends in what areas of the city you wil stay. The south area of the city (San Telmo, La boca, Barracas) is less safe than the north (Recoleta, Barrio Norte, Palermo, Puerto Madero) Dawn town is safe in daytime but not at evening or night. Anyway keep your attention in the touristic areas too.
I hope this was useful.
Enjoy your visit.
José

[Mariano_Rodriguez]

Villa Crespo

Just to clarify to Sara, "villa" is a term to call mostly a inadequate / poor place to live -> for you to have an idea is like a favela in Brazil. Even doe, people in those places are often workers / low class, do not recommend to go there at all (even I think sadly most of the fear is because popular myths and the news telling us there are ALL bad and criminals)

There are cities like Villa Crespo, Villa Luro, Villa Urquiza, etc that are neighborhood mostly inside Capital Federal and have nothing to do with villas / favelas... some are better than others in terms of infrastructure, but having Villa in the name does not guarantee is a villa...

Hope it helps to clarify Matias reply