How safe is Argentina for travelers?

The three real risks

Argentina is not a dangerous country for visitors, and Buenos Aires has a persistent street-theft problem. Both are true and the second is manageable.

• Motochorros are thieves on motorbikes who take a bag off a shoulder or a phone out of a hand and are gone. Walk away from the kerb, and do not stand at a corner texting.
• Distraction teams work the Microcentro, Florida street, Retiro, San Telmo market and the subte. Someone spills something on you, or drops coins, and a second person takes the bag while you help.
• Counterfeit notes come back as change, particularly from taxis. Check ARS 1,000 and ARS 2,000 notes for the watermark and the metallic thread.

How locals actually behave

• The phone stays in the pocket on the street. People stop, step into a doorway, use it, and put it away. Copy that.
• A cheap crossbody bag worn in front beats a backpack. Backpacks are opened behind you on the subte.
• Order taxis through an app. Street taxis are mostly fine, and the exceptions are why locals use Uber and Cabify.
• Do not change money on the street. The men calling "cambio, cambio" on Florida street hand over counterfeits or set you up to be robbed, and since the rates converged there is nothing to gain.

Places and times

• Retiro bus terminal and the area behind it are the sharpest edge of the city. Take a taxi to the terminal door.
• Constitucion at night, the far end of La Boca and the villas (informal settlements) are worth avoiding entirely.
• Palermo, Recoleta and Puerto Madero are calm at almost any hour.
• Football matches are an intense environment. Go with an organised group if you go at all; away fans are banned from most league fixtures for a reason.

Protests and strikes

• Demonstrations in Buenos Aires are frequent, large and usually peaceful, and they close the Plaza de Mayo and the Avenida 9 de Julio at short notice.
• General strikes stop transport nationally, including flights. If one is announced for your travel day, assume the day is lost.
• Stay away from the edges of a protest where the police and the organised groups meet.

Outside the cities

• Altitude is real in the northwest. Salta, Jujuy and the Puna go above 4,000 m and altitude sickness is common.
• Patagonian weather changes violently. A hike out of El Chalten needs full wind protection in any season.
• Distances break plans. Never assume you can drive 600 km in Patagonia and do anything else that day.