Is Buenos Aires Safe for Travelers? Here’s What to Know

Like many destinations around the world, Buenos Aires has struggled to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Argentina is currently experiencing its third wave of infections — and Buenos Aires is particularly hard hit. 

In April 2021, Argentina tightened coronavirus restrictions already in place in an attempt to tamper down the most recent surge. 

So what does that mean for travelers? 

At the moment, travel to Argentina is quite difficult. Argentina's borders are closed to foreign nationals with limited exceptions. 

So if you're an American hoping to go to Buenos Aires, be patient. For now, Americans are not permitted to enter—unless they have an exceptional reason to visit.

All travelers—even those with a negative PCR test—will be required to quarantine for a minimum of seven days. 

In the #beforetimes, Buenos Aires ranked as the third safest city in South America—and safer than Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Brussels.

Still, locals note that, as with any big city, you should exercise standard safety precautions.

Keep aware of your surroundings when you're in crowded areas like bus and subway stations. Buenos Aires, like most metropolises, has its fair share of petty theft and scams.

As in many well-traveled places, visitors to Buenos Aires are often targets for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching.

Locals advise caution on crowded buses (especially at the Retiro bus station), on the Subte (metro) and at busy ferias (street markets).

As you navigate the awesome sights of Buenos Aires, locals suggest following these tips to avoid being a victim of pickpockets:

• Don’t use your phone in public – it can get snatched. Duck into a cafe or shop if you need to check something. 
• Only carry the essentials—leave your passport, cash, and jewelry in your room.
• Wear your purse across your body when you use public transit.
• Don’t flash money or expensive jewelry. 
• Always be aware of your surroundings and act like you know exactly where you’re going (even if you don’t).
• Seek tourist police if you need help – you’ll find them around tourist areas.

For the most up-to-date safety advice, ask a local. Our trip planners will let you know how they navigate their city safely. 

When you get local advice, you know what to watch out for. Our trip planners tell us that these are some common scams in Buenos Aires:

The mustard trick on public transit

This scam involves a helpful local pointing out mustard (or other stains) on your clothing and then offering to clean it off. Next thing you know, they have made off with your wallet, watch, or phone. If this happens, refuse their offer firmly. This is a common scam, so it’s not unusual for a local to come to the rescue. Locals don’t sit idly by and watch someone get robbed.

Counterfeit bill scams

Counterfeit bills (especially the 100 peso note) are a massive problem in Argentina. A common scam involves a vendor or driver offering to help you check your pesos, and then swapping your bill with a counterfeit one.

Locals say that you may come across a public demonstration while in Buenos Aires.

These are usually peaceful and have little effect on tourists—other than blocking traffic and making it hard to see the sights. Most take place in the Plaza de Mayo, Av 9 de Julio, and Congreso, so take care in these areas.

If a protest coincides with your trip, get insider advice on what to do. Our trip planners will design a flexible guidebook in case your original plans are disrupted. (And they'll let you know how locals get around during transit strikes.)

Taxis are safe, but it’s best to order one via app

Buenos Aires is full of licensed black and yellow taxis, and locals say they're a great way to get around the city. You can flag one down on the street (look for a lit libre sign), but our trip planners suggest booking one using the e-hailing app BA Taxi.

Locals also note that  private hire taxis called remís can be reserved in advance through agencies. These are a great alternative to renting a car for day trips.

Uber exists in Buenos Aires, but...

Uber does exist in Buenos Aires, but the situation is complicated. The company is involved in a contentious dispute with city officials over whether or not Uber is legal in Buenos Aires. (Colombia banned Uber after a similar dispute.)

In addition, taxi drivers are hostile towards Uber drivers. That means it’s not always the safest, or most comfortable way to travel. Many Uber drivers will ask that you sit in the front passenger seat so it looks like you’re driving with a friend. 

The good news is you don't have to travel blind—no one knows how to get around Buenos Aires like the locals do. Our trip planners will design a guidebook full of detailed transit instructions. 

Is public transit in Buenos Aires safe? Quick answer—yes! Locals tell us that the Subte (subway) is safe, but again, you’ll need to be wary of pickpockets, especially during crowded peak hours.

Locals note that there's also the public bus system called colectivos. It’s a fun and fast way to get around the city, but it can be crowded, so stay aware of your surroundings.

Many shops, cafes, and restaurants don’t accept credit or debit cards and ATMs often charge a high fee.

Locals say you are better off just using cash (try to keep the notes as small as possible). To avoid carrying around too much money, break your day into segments, taking only as much as you will need for each part.

Buenos Aires is a great city for women traveling alone. However, locals suggest following some important safety tips:

• Catcalling in Argentina is a fact of life, especially if you are walking alone. Just ignore it, and it will become background noise.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, move towards a public place, duck into a shop, or find the tourist police.
• Walk with a purpose like you know where you’re going.
• Don’t accept drinks from strangers.

Basically, if you're traveling alone, it's smart to exercise caution in crowds, on public transportation, and in isolated parts of the city (especially at night).

Benefit from local advice. Many of our trip planners are women, who can give travelers insights on how to best explore Buenos Aires. 

Here's what travelers should know about vaccines and drinking water:

You probably have all your necessary vaccines

If you’re up to date on routine vaccinations, you should be all set. However, the CDC recommends that travelers heading to Argentina should also be covered for hepatitis A and typhoid. Based on how long you are staying, or if you plan to explore the rural areas, you may need additional vaccines.

Make sure you protect yourself against mosquitoes—dengue fever is a threat. Cover up and use bug repellent.

As for *that* vaccine? Argentina doesn't currently require international travelers to show proof of the coronavirus vaccine. However, the country did launch a vaccine passport for domestic travel. So, stay tuned. 

Water is ok to drink—but pack bottled if you're going out of the city

Tap water in Buenos Aires is perfectly safe to drink. But if you take a day trip to a nearby rural area, bring or buy bottled water just to be safe. (We recommend investing in a water bottle with a filter. It's a great way to travel in a sustainable way.)

Here are some numbers to know just in case you run into trouble while exploring Buenos Aires:

• Police and general emergencies: 101 & 911 (dial *31416 from a mobile phone)
• Ambulance and Medical Emergencies: 107 
• U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires: +(54)(11) 5777-4533

You can always reach out to your Buenos Aires trip planner 24/7 if you run into any issues.