Without a doubt, Argentina is an amazing country to visit. From the snowy mountains of Patagonia to the busy streets of Buenos Aires, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Travelling anywhere though has its risks, and it’s best to be aware of these risks. Here, I’ll try to answer some questions that you may have about the safety of visiting Argentina as a tourist, and then point out the main dangers in the country.
Is Argentina safe for tourists?
Firstly, to answer the question:
Yes – Argentina is safe to visit as a tourist.
This answer comes with some caveats though, like with anywhere in the world.
When we’re talking of visiting Argentina, the first destination for most will be Buenos Aires. Over 3 million people live in the City of Buenos Aires and it’s a very busy place. With that in mind, it can be expected that some areas are more dangerous than others. Argentina is one of the safest countries in Latin America, but if you’re walking through the streets of Buenos Aires there are some things to be aware of. There are a relatively high number of pickpockets and muggers in the city, especially in the most touristic areas, so it’s best to be wary of showing off your belongings too much. Many muggers do carry weapons, so if you’re attacked it’s best to just give up whatever they’re trying to take.
On the other hand though, it’s still best to stick within the tourist zones because that way you’ll be surrounded by more people. It’s when you stray away from these areas and into more secluded areas that things can really get dangerous. Later on in the article, I’ll point out some areas to avoid during your time in Buenos Aires.
How to stay safe
Prevention is the best way to stay safe. If you’re already aware of the risks, it’s best to avoid getting into potentially dangerous situations to begin with. Here are some tips to stay safe and identify possible risks:
1. Don’t wear expensive looking clothing or jewellery – by wearing clothing or jewellery that shows you have a bit of money, you’re attracting unwanted attention. It’s best to dress casual and not be too ‘flashy’.
2. Keep your phone hidden as much as possible – usually, the easy thing for pickpockets to grab is your mobile phone.
3. Plan and learn routes before leaving your hotel – the goal here is to look confident and as if you know where you’re going when you’re walking through the streets. If you look like your lost and a bit confused, you make for an easy target for pickpockets. More so if you walk around staring at Google Maps on your phone!
4. Stay aware of your surroundings – the easiest targets are the ones who are distracted. If you notice someone measuring you up from a distance, maintain eye contact and let them know that you’ve seen them.
5. Don’t give money to beggars or buy things from street sellers – just politely decline by saying, “no, gracias”. In Buenos Aires, lots of people will approach you to try and sell things to you in the streets. Many are genuine but some use it simply as a way to get you to take your wallet out of your pocket.
6. Learn some Spanish – if you’re aware of what people are saying to you, it can be a lot easier to tell if you’re in danger or not.
7. Take advice from locals – ask for advice or directions if you need help, just be careful who you ask. If it looks like someone who’ll try to sell you something, find someone else to ask.
Areas to avoid
As mentioned, there are some places in Buenos Aires that it’s better to steer clear from. In many of these places, it’s very likely that you’ll be robbed (or worse), so be careful if you end up in any of these places; some of them you should avoid altogether.
1. Plaza Constitución – this area is home to one of the main train stations of Buenos Aires, so it may be difficult to avoid at times. However, it’s best to stay within the train station. In the surrounding neighbourhood, there are many pickpockets and thieves.
2. Retiro – Retiro is also home to one of the city’s biggest train stations. Many thieves operate in this area. If you need to use the train station, walk straight there and don’t stray from your route.
3. La Boca at night – by day, La Boca is one of the most popular destinations for tourists, with loads to see and do. However, by night, it can be a very dangerous place.
3. “Villas” – these places are definite no-go areas. They’re basically the ‘shanty towns’ of Buenos Aires and are similar to the ‘favelas’ of Brazil. Here, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb and you will be a very easy for thieves as the police don’t usually operate in the villas.
Enjoy your time in Argentina!
The aim of this guide isn’t to scare anyone out of going to Argentina. It’s a beautiful country with great people and it’s unlikely that anything will happen to you whilst you’re here.
Buenos Aires is a capital city, and most capital cities can be dangerous if you’re not careful. As long as you keep your wits about you and follow the advice above, you’ll be absolutely fine! Enjoy your time in Argentina!