Yesterday, I was checking the news about Argentina on Yahoo.

The main thing that pops up is how the crime rate is really starting to rise. The number of kidnappings is really going up.

Have any recent visitors fealt unsafe, or uneasy when walking around BA?

CP

ps: I have been to BA 7 or 8 times in the last two years. I have always enjoyed BA. However, the place I want to go it where I am going to get kidnapped. Just a big chicken I guess.

I just returned this morning, having stayed in Recoleta....I did not feel threatened in the slightest...though I exercize some caution...I take radio cabs, and I usually call for a cab before going out once I know a reliable complany....I dont carry large amounts of money or wear jewelry...the usual precautions one would take in a large city....

I think crime is about as much of a factor as any big city. Remember too, BA is a European city. It is the opposite of American urban development. The poor and marginal live in shitty working class suburbs. This is where the kidnappings are generating headlines. The upper classes and the bourgeoisie never left the center. Recoleta, Palermo and downtown are all quite safe. Manypeople on the street. Many doormen, taxistas etc..are watching the sidewalk.

My comment does not really apply to BA in particular (I don't know anything at all about crime in BA) but more towards travel in general. Once you decide that things are "safe", that is when you get mugged. You can have a lot of fun in a country & go to alot of great places but you still need to always be watching what is going on around you and take the proper precautions.

I agree with YT. You need to know who is behind you are all times. Especially, in a foreign country.

YT & CP, I agree on taking reasonable precautions too. I'm just pointing out that the newspapers and sensationalist television distort one's sense of security in a place like Recoleta. By and large, I think Buenos Aires is very manageable for a foreigner even with limited Spanish. Moondog's (and other's) reports on this site make plain basic things that enhance your security.

Staying at a hotel offers much better security than staying at apartments which seem to be becoming the rave. Hotels often have the girls check in. I've never heard of guys being victimized by girls in BA, but this stuff does happen in other places so it's best to be aware.

I should probably post a general guide sometime about crime precautions having been the victim of one. Basically you don't want to give girls you don't know the opportunity to drug you or bring "friends" to your residence.

Again let me emphasize that BA is one of the last places I'd expect to hear of this happening, but it's best to be aware of these kinds of crimes in general, especially considering how often we invite strange girls to our rooms.

Buenos Aires feels like one of the safest places I've ever visited. I've NEVER felt even the slightest bit unsafe there in over 7 trips there now. Recoleta is VERY very safe. There is a police man on every other corner there all hours of the day and night. I've walked home several times late late at night with no problems at all.

Any decent apartment will have a doorman 24/7 so security is not an issue. If you follow common sense you'll have no problems in Buenos Aires. I now know about 75 guys that have gone down based on my reports since April and not one of them have had any problems and every single one of them loved the city. Many of them have been back several times.

You'll love it.

I have travelled to 60 countries and was in BA last January. I was surprised at how nice it was and felt totally safe. Listen if you are not aware of general safety and security percautions one must take anywhere then you have no business traveling. The golden rule remains, blend in. Do Not do anything to stand out. Specially for Americans, dont dress the way you do at home in downtown Buenos Aires or anywhere else for that matter. When in Rome do as Romans do. I also agree with common sense stuff said earlier, don't let your guards down, ever, anywhere, even at home.

If you haven't been to Buenos Aires for several years, it has changed in terms of safety. It used to be one of the safest big cities in the world. I have a lot of porteno friends and they've all been victims of robberies, in one case an "express kidnapping" where the fake taxi driver took him to several ATM locations until he couldn't withdraw any more. Have your hotel give you the name of a radio taxi company and use a cell phone to call for a cab. The cab driver should then address you by your name when he picks you up. BTW, radio taxis will have IVA posted in red on the front windshields.

You don't see people walking around the streets with laptop bags in Buenos Aires like you do in the U.S. There's a reason.

Cuidate!