Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Safe Travel
For tourists, Argentina is one of the safest countries in Latin America. This isn't to say you
should skip down the street drunk with your money belt strapped to your head, but with a
little common sense you can visit Argentina's big cities as safely as you could London,
Paris or New York. That said, crime has been on the rise.
Petty Crime
The economic crisis of 1999-2001 plunged a lot of people into poverty, and street crime
(pickpocketing, bag-snatching and armed robbery) has subsequently risen, especially in
Buenos Aires. Here, be especially watchful for pickpockets on crowded buses, on the
Subte and at busy
ferias
(street markets). Still, most people feel perfectly safe in the big
cities. In the small towns of the provinces you'd have to
search
for a crook to rob you.
Bus terminals are commonly where tourists become separated from their possessions.
For the most part bus terminals are safe, as they're usually full of families traveling and
saying goodbyes, but they can also be prime grounds for bag-snatchers. Always keep an
eagle eye on your goods. This is especially true in Buenos Aires' Retiro station.
At sidewalk cafe or restaurant tables, always keep your bag close to you, preferably
touching your body. You can also place the strap around your leg or tie it around the fur-
niture. Be careful showing off expensive electronics such as laptops, or tablets. Other
places to be wary are tourist destinations and on crowded public transportation.
In Buenos Aires the
Tourist Police
( 0800-999-5000, 011-4346-5748) provides in-
terpreters and helps victims of robberies and rip-offs.
ELECTRONICS WARNING
Note that buying a smart phone, and especially an iPhone, is extremely expensive
in Argentina due to import restrictions - and they are not widely available. If you do
bring your smart phone, don't flash it around unnecessarily or leave it unprotected
somewhere. This goes for tablet computers and laptop computers, too.
Pickets & Protests
Street protests have become part of daily life in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires'
Plaza de Mayo area. Generally these have little effect on tourists other than blocking
traffic or making it difficult to see Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada. The country has
many
gremios
or
sindicatos
(trade unions), and it seems that one of them is always on
strike. Transportation-union strikes can affect travelers directly by delaying domestic
flights and bus services. It's always a good idea to keep your eye on the news before set-
ting off on your travels.
