Is Buenos Aires Safe?

Are you considering moving to Buenos Aires but concerned about safety? Over the past couple of months, we’ve received a few questions about safety in BA. So today we decided to share with you our personal thoughts about safety here. 

And at the end of the blog, I’ve included some tips we’ve received from Argentines over the years. Remember everyone’s experience in Buenos Aires is different and this is our own perspective on safety. 

Moving to or visiting Buenos Aires? Be sure to check out this activity list I created with over 50 things you have to do when you’re in Buenos Aires!

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So the big question is - Did we feel safe in Buenos Aires? 

Yes, both Andrew and I felt safe living in Buenos Aires. But we did take certain precautions during our 3 years of living there to make sure we were safe. 

Why has safety in Buenos Aires come up? 

Unfortunately, crime such as burglaries have picked up tremendously in 2020 due to the strict and drawn out Covid-19 quarantines. Because of the quarantines, many people have been unable to work so the poverty has been skyrocketing in Argentina and Buenos Aires. 

It seems like every night on the news there’s a new robbery or break in that went wrong resulting in someone losing their life. And as if the Covid-19 lockdowns weren’t enough, Argentina was already in a 2 year long recession which was greatly affecting the country. 

Even though the burglaries and other crimes have picked up in the last year, we still believe Buenos Aires is a safe city to live in.

Here are the four safety precautions we’ve taken over the past three years:

1. Pick an Apartment with Security Features 

We have lived in two apartments and neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and we’ve always made sure our apartment buildings had some security features. For us, they were 24 hour security guards/doormen. But other apartments may have a virtual security guard or a door security system that will only open with a code. 

Of course having a security guard or alarm system isn’t 100% protection but it’s another layer of protection that will greatly reduce your risk of burglary. 

2. Do Your Daily Activities in Neighborhoods Familiar/Safe to You

We chose neighborhoods that are typically safe to live in and we tend to do all our daily activities there too. Whether it’s working out, eating at a cafe, going to the movies or shopping, we try to stay within the neighborhoods we know are safe.

There are some places to sightsee that are in less safe neighborhoods, such as La Boca. So those are tourist activities you’ll want to do during the daytime because at night it is a different neighborhood. 

3. Don't Make Yourself a Target with Flashy Gear

This one is a good tip for traveling or living anywhere in the world. We don’t wear flashy jewelry or clothing when we’re out and about. This also includes cell phones. We try to keep them in our pocket or purse unless we need to quickly look at them for directions, etc. Also, I don’t wear my wedding rings out and about and they’re typically left in our safe at home. This way, I don’t have to worry about having an extra target on my back. 

Another important point to remember is - Don’t Fight Back! If you are approached or are being robbed and they want your watch or purse, just give it to them. If you fight back, there is a greater chance of you getting hurt. 

4. Take a Taxi at Nights

If we are going to a new restaurant or someplace we’re not familiar with at night, we will take a taxi. Taxis are very cheap in Buenos Aires and it’s a great safety precaution because they will drop you off right in front of your destination. And you won’t find yourself wandering around at night with a map asking questions like, “Where are we?”. 

~ SAFETY TIPS FROM ARGENTINES ~

1. Have Cash in Two Locations

It’s very common to keep large amounts of cash in your apartment (like thousands of USD). So they will keep cash in two locations. One is in a “fake” safe where they keep a certain smaller amount of pesos/US Dollars. If they ever do get robbed, they will show the robber to that safe and give them that smaller amount of money - enough to satisfy them so they’ll leave. 

At the same time, they will keep their main safe hidden away with much larger cash amounts, jewelry, etc. 

2. Keep Cash on You

Carry enough pesos on you (a couple thousand) so that if you do get pulled over or robbed, they will just take the cash you have with you and not ask you to go to an ATM. If they make you go to an ATM with them, they’ll ask you to take out as much money as you’re able to. Remember - they want to get out of the situation as quickly as you do too. 

3. Avoid Looking in the Eyes/Face

If you do find yourself in a bad situation, try not to look them in the face. Give them what they’re asking for and look down at the ground. Don’t make eye contact. You don’t want them to think you’ve seen them. 

Again, these tips are out of an abundance of caution. This blog isn’t meant to scare you from moving to or visiting Buenos Aires. We’ve been living in Buenos Aires for 3 years and we’ve never had any safety issues. 

The biggest takeaway really is that we just don’t put ourselves in situations that could be dangerous. And a lot of these actions are common sense safety precautions to remember when you’re travelling regardless of the city/country you’re in.