Jump to content

Use caution in Buenos Aires


wesport
 Share

Recommended Posts

That sounds good and flowery but the reality is that there are areas in this world that are unsafe no matter how valuable people are. Take this from someone who formerly lived in one of those areas where there were drive by shootings and people lived with bars on their windows. One of my friends who lived there with me said it changed her perspective on life and safety became a priority.

We took a ship tour in Buenos Aires that did 2 stops in the city but the bulk of the time outside the city. Our tour guide said to us when we were outside the city that now it was safe to put things in the bus and she lived there! On our stop in La Boca, we were told to walk down one street and up the other and not go on any other streets at all. I didn’t get that vibe from Barcelona. So I think it is fine to visit these places but be cautious

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may have said things in a misleading way. We loved our trip to South America. The people were very kind and friendly. Most tried to be helpful and respectful. Food was good and areas were very pretty. All I am trying to say is that in certain areas, the crime rate is higher whether it be in North America, South America, Europe etc, and you must be cautious and not have your head in the sand. You must use street smarts.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may have said things in a misleading way. We loved our trip to South America. The people were very kind and friendly. Most tried to be helpful and respectful. Food was good and areas were very pretty. All I am trying to say is that in certain areas, the crime rate is higher whether it be in North America, South America, Europe etc, and you must be cautious and not have your head in the sand. You must use street smarts.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Exactly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I may have said things in a misleading way. We loved our trip to South America. The people were very kind and friendly. Most tried to be helpful and respectful. Food was good and areas were very pretty. All I am trying to say is that in certain areas, the crime rate is higher whether it be in North America, South America, Europe etc, and you must be cautious and not have your head in the sand. You must use street smarts.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Hi Julie,

 

We were on the same cruise and echo what you say. We kept a state of high alert (walking across the city to reach the start of the Free Walking Tour, a local female resident stopped us and mimed for us to keep our cameras closer to our bodies). The Tour Guide emphasised the need to be vigilant against the 'Pigeon Pooh' spray scam - useful to know that it is not an urban myth - but, at the same time, just maintaining sensible precautions (no 'bling', posh jewellery, not too much cash, use money belts, keep rucksacks visible by walking '1 behind the other', and 1watching whilst the other takes a photo etc), we became as relaxed as you can be in a city with a known pickpocketing problem.

 

On the way back to our hotel in Esmeralda, we encountered a French passenger from the cruise. He reported that he had been robbed in the main street at 11:00 on the first morning and had had his ROLEX ripped off his wrist - his arm was very badly bruised and he was still quite shaken - it looked as though his forearm had been beaten with a bar. He wasn't flaunting his wealth - he lives in rural France and never gave his watch a second thought! Charmingly naive and prepared to put the theft down to experience.

 

We loved Buenos Aires and are looking forward to a return visit. We learned a lot and stayed safe by walking everywhere, staying on main streets, and choosing open areas when seeking directions and choosing 'respectable-looking' (very subjective!) people when asking for directions - those people were both delightful and proud of their city - it was one of the best cities we have visited!

 

BTW, I'll reply to your email shortly - a wee bit off the pace with a heavy post-cruise cold!

 

 

Steve & Elaine

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

We were in Buenos Aires for three-days before our cruise and never felt threatened, what-so-ever. We remained vigilant, watched our surroundings, and just used common sense in a city that hosts more than half of the country's population.

 

We are both extremely thankful to have visited such an incredible city which offers so much history and beauty.

 

As far as the comments on La Boca, this is the poorest neighbourhood of BA - but! not as scary as it is made out to be. We were with a guide and felt safe at all times. We walked the "unbeaten paths", visited historical areas, and were perfectly fine.

 

For details on what we did on our own and with a guide - I have blogged our amazing visit to a beautiful city:

 

https://baskeytravels.com/buenos-aires-pre-cruise/ and here:

 

https://baskeytravels.com/embarkation-buenos-aires-2/

 

Heather

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My husband and I have travelled all of South America (independently on our motorbike) and spent a good few weeks in BA and its surrounding area. I can confirm we never experienced any problems - but I never wear expensive jewellery or watches - I purposely wear a cheap plastic watch and silver earrings. We carry a plain across the body bag, or sometimes even a carrier bag for anything we want to carry. My husband's wallet lives in a zipped pocket in the front of his shorts. I suppose we look a bit scruffy too which probably helps!

BA is a great city to explore on your own - there is loads to see - all safe if you don't stray into no go areas. The free (just tips) walking tours are great too.

You will love BA I am sure, just have a bit of common sense - wearing a Rolex anywhere in South and Central America, and a lot of the world is asking for trouble in my opinion!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We were in Buenos Aries last December pre-cruise, stayed at the Hilton, walked & used the subway everywhere, and never had any major issues. At the Hilton the worst thieves are the taxi drivers at the front door, we should have used Uber or walked a few blocks to get a taxi to do check-in at the port. At Plaza San Martin while resting on a park bench my wife got talked out of $5 by someone with documentation showing he worked for a local children's hospital looking for donations (maybe legit). Also we were in Buenos Aries during the strikes when the national legislature raised the minimum age to 70 to collect a pension (like social security). To keep the strikers somewhat confined one evening near the cathedral we had walk through metal-plate barriers with riot police behind the barriers.

 

Our subway and walking travels took us to and from the Hilton to tourist locations including Recoleta Cemetery, Plaza del Congreso, Galleries Pacifico, and Casa Rosada. On a Sunday we went to the San Telmo market and walked along the street stalls from Plaza Dorrego to Plaza de Mayo. We also walked to dinner across the waterway from the Hilton to a nice steak restaurant. On our last night in Buenos Aries our ship was docked and we walked from the port (more taxi driver thieves) to the subway station at Retiro (not recommended by cruise lines). We were nicely dressed to attend The Nutcracker ballet at Teatro Colon and they only thing interesting along this walk for us was the guy in the median washing his bottom. Coming back from the ballet was the only other time we used a taxi in Buenos Aries.

 

Knowing that street crime can occur to anyone in any city or town of the world the best advice is not to look like a classic crime target subject; like wearing wearing clothes that don't fit the area, flashing wealth, being frail, being overweight, not walking with a purpose, looking lost. With the maps function in Google one can make detailed directions of places they want to visit in cities using various transportation means. Prior to our South America trip I had routed all of our daily stops in Buenos Aries and broke down each piece into whether we were walking or using the subway. Google maps provide distances, times, which subway stops to use, which subway lines, fares, and which street entrance to get to and from the correct subway. Then I shrunk these instructions down to a discreet size which I palmed in my hand while traveling the city. I also go into Google Streetview to look at and memorize what major intersections, subway entrances, and places we want to visit actually look like currently. We still do spontaneous things off our pre-planned paths while traveling in new cities, but this pre-planning gives us a framework to travel confidently in any new city.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are thinking of booking the Nutcracker ballet for December this year. How was it and how far ahead did you get tickets and did the hotel do this for you?

 

We booked directly through the theater at the beginning of December and by then tickets were limited. I believe tickets went on sale in early October. The theater takes major credit cards. To get your tickets you need to present the credit card you used and a copy of the e-mail confirmation at the box office. The box office is at street level in the hallway that runs N/S near the west end of the building. This hallway also has the restaurant and only toilets outside the theater proper. Theater entrance is on the west end of the building.

 

We enjoyed the ballet, it was sung in Spanish, but with familiar songs it was very easy to follow. The stage seemed deeper than we have seen before and appeared to have more scenery. The theater design is European with boxes, each floor directly above each other. Our box seated six with cafe chairs, first come gets pick of seating location.

 

Theater web site:

http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar/en

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Returned from B.A .early Feb this year...had read these warnings so was aware that we should be alert.

 

I never remove my jewellery, so even though Princess had given warnings, I ( perhaps stupidly) carried on regardless.

...

We walked around, caught hop on/off buses and taxis, shopped, took photos, ate in restaurants, shopped some more..all the touristy things. Whilst we remained vigilant, we did not feel threatened.

 

 

Perhaps we were lucky. Just be aware, do not draw attention to yourself and you will enjoy.

You were lucky. Wearing jewellry (sic), in and of itself, does draw attention to yourself!. No locals would wear jewelry of significant value while casually traipsing about town.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You were lucky. Wearing jewellry (sic), in and of itself, does draw attention to yourself!. No locals would wear jewelry of significant value while casually traipsing about town.

 

See Post No 9

Last time we were in Buenos Aires we dressed very down and outright shabby. We went to a shopping. Center near our hotel with high end shops and everyone was dripping in diamonds and designer goods. Lol. No issues the way we were dressed in BA but Rio was a different story. Very scared. Italy is bad too.. someone tried to pickpocket me in Pisa, Rome and Venice. Didn’t go out of my hotel in Nairobi.

 

I stated that perhaps we were lucky...however, I never remove my jewellery..thinking it is safer on me than in an hotel room. Maybe a bank deposit box for next visit!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We booked directly through the theater at the beginning of December and by then tickets were limited. I believe tickets went on sale in early October. The theater takes major credit cards. To get your tickets you need to present the credit card you used and a copy of the e-mail confirmation at the box office. The box office is at street level in the hallway that runs N/S near the west end of the building. This hallway also has the restaurant and only toilets outside the theater proper. Theater entrance is on the west end of the building.

 

We enjoyed the ballet, it was sung in Spanish, but with familiar songs it was very easy to follow. The stage seemed deeper than we have seen before and appeared to have more scenery. The theater design is European with boxes, each floor directly above each other. Our box seated six with cafe chairs, first come gets pick of seating location.

 

Theater web site:

http://www.teatrocolon.org.ar/en

 

Are you saying they sing a ballet that is meant to a fine instrumental piece? Also could you confirm are all chairs wooden style cafe chairs as my husband could not sit that long in that kind of seat. We thought they would be theatre seating

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Buenos Aires. We are careful like we are in any big city. No flashy jewelry (though I do wear my wedding and engagement rings) and no purse. We bring 1 credit card and some cash and a photocopy of our ID. We've walked to and thru La Boca and to Recoleta in the daytime. We love BA. Lots to see in a vibrant city.

 

Teatro Colon has tours in English. If you cannot make a performance take the tour. It's worth it.

 

Rio. We were constantly cautioned to be careful. I managed to get my engagement ring off and left it at home. Carried 1 credit card and a "burner" phone that I used for photos and photo copy of ID. Wore a cheap watch. Carried nothing else. We were on a small (12 people) escorted tour in Rio (rest of the ports in Brazil we walked around on our own) and our tour guide was always with us (except for the Sambadrome). We went to the Sambadrome for Carnival and did not sit in the tourist section and had a wonderful time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need to carry a small purse for my inhaler but carry in front of me with hands on will this be a problem. I use a small over the shoulder bag.

A small bag will be fine. Just keep it in your hand. We stopped at a shop to buy wine and we carried that in a shopping bag (bring your own or you have to buy one) with no problem.

We walked all over BA. Just keep in mind you are in a large city and be aware of your surroundings and have a great trip!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After our cruise, we flew back home from Buenos Aires. As we were checking in, we noticed that a lot of people were paying extra to have their suitcase wrapped with plastic. When our luggage arrived back in the states, we noticed both of our check in luggage TSA locks were missing and it was obvious that someone went through our bags. Every zipper in my toiletry bag was unzipped. There was no TSA inspection note. We then discovered that our nice wine bag with it''s contents were missing. We felt violated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are you saying they sing a ballet that is meant to a fine instrumental piece? Also could you confirm are all chairs wooden style cafe chairs as my husband could not sit that long in that kind of seat. We thought they would be theatre seating

 

oops; narration between dances was in Spanish. There was staff checking tickets at the various levels so we didn't get to other areas to see the seating. Our box was on the Palcos Altos level; by the time we got around to booking that was about the only area with availability. There is an interactive map of Teatro Colon. If you click on the camera symbols in the various areas you can see the view of the stage from that seating area and type of seating.

 

https://www.tuentrada.com/ExtrasTue/colon/interactivo/index.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

While being cautious, not wearing flashy jewelry, securing your money etc. are all good ideas when traveling in a foreign city or even a city in your own country, I think people become overly fearful. There are a couple of posters on this thread who have said they have been victims a few times. What’s wrong with this picture? I guess it could be pure old bad luck but I have a feeling there is more to it than that.

 

My husband and I have traveled extensively (even as seniors) and have done many independent land trips to several of the cities mentioned on this thread such as Rio, Barcelona, London, Naples and Rome. I will admit we have foolishly gone into areas on our own a couple of times when it probably wasn’t the best idea but we were lucky and nothing ever happened. We did once witness an attempted chain snatch in Rome, but were never victims ourselves (knock on wood). However, I do think that people who have found themselves repeatedly robbed or pickpocketed must be doing something wrong. Could it be the way they carry themselves, or something about the way they look, or could it be their lack of attention to what is going on around them? Are they alone in an area they should not be in? Or is there something about them that makes them look like a good victim?

 

The risk is greater when there is something like Carnivale going on, or the run from the bulls in Pamplona, Superbowl, World Cup, Mardi Gras, or some other huge event, pick pockets and thieves often come in from other places specifically because they know there will be a lot of tourists or easy victims in that area. No doubt it’s even true in some areas when one or more ships are in port. So these criminals often tend to be in places where the “pickins” are good.

 

Like I said, these things do happen and we can only prepare so much. But if you have been a victim a number of times, perhaps you should try to figure out if you are inadvertently sending out some signal indicating you are an easy or lucrative target. Good luck and I hope you are never a target in the future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well put as we have travelled these areas and not had problems even wearing my simple earrings and wedding band.

Posters are making you think you need to be with an armed guard.

I carry a small purse with my inhaler and have been down some back alley areas.

Hopefully we will not have a problem in BA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does happen in every city, but in BA and Barcelona it's especially bad because thieves who are caught are not aggressively prosecuted.

 

In Barcelona it's a ticket similar to jaywalking--no criminal record. Thieves factor in the tickets as a business expense.

 

My DH was pick pocketed in Rome. He called the police to report the theft and was told to go to Termini Station the next morning to see if his wallet was there because that's where all the wallets are dumped at the end of each night.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are indeed some cities around the world to use extra precaution and this is one. Others that come to mind include Lima, Rio, Naples, and Barcelona.

 

As a tourist we are a target and sometimes just unaware and that can include cities in our own country.

 

Keith

Also, Rome and Paris. Not a big problem in Scandinavia or Germany. I lived in Germany for four years and pickpocketing there is nearly unheard of. The police are more efficient.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...