Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Information
CONCIERGE SERVICES
you plan itineraries, arrange airport transportation, run errands, get a cell phone, reserve
theater tickets, scout out a potential apartment, plus more to help your trip run smoothly.
EMERGENCY
Ambulance
(
107)
Police
( 911, 101)
Tourist Police
(Comisaría del Turista; 0800-999-5000, 4346-5748; Av Corrientes 436;
24hr)
Provides interpreters for travel insurance reports.
TRAVELING SAFELY IN BUENOS AIRES
While crime does exist in BA (as it does in any big city) and you'll notice that
porteñosare very security conscious, in general BA is fairly safe. In many places you
can comfortably walk around at all hours of the night, even as a lone woman, as
people generally stay out very late. However, be careful at night in some neighbor-
hoods, including Constitución (around the train station), the eastern border of San
Telmo, and La Boca (where, outside tourist streets, you should be careful even dur-
ing the day).
Crime against tourists is almost always of the petty sort, such as pickpocketing in
crowded markets or buses, or bag snatches when you're not looking - things smart
travelers can guard themselves against. Be wary of the old 'mustard trick' -
someone pointing out 'bird droppings' or whatever on your clothing, placed there by
an accomplice, and offering to clean it up (while your valuables go off with the ac-
complice).
Other things to watch out for are fake bills. Most people get them in dark environ-
ments like taxis or nightclubs, but even Ezeiza's cambios(exchange houses) have
been known to pass them. Get to know your bills; check
www.santelmoloft.com/
2011/07/22/fake-money-in-argentina
for good tips.
Minor nuisances include the lack of respect shown by vehicles toward pedestri-
ans, lax pollution controls and high noise levels.
If you've been robbed in some way, contact the tourist police (
Click here
)
to file a
claim; they provide interpreters. For more safety tips,
Click here
.
INTERNET ACCESS & TELEPHONE
