Safety
Buenos Aires is generally a safe city, especially compared to many other big cities in Latin America that have high rates of violent crime.
While violent crime in the tourist areas of BA is rare, petty theft is common but avoidable. Like any big city in the world, you need to be careful and aware, especially with your valuables like phones and jewelry.
- When leaving a milonga late at night, it’s best to take a taxi/Uber/Cabify/Didi home instead of walking or taking a bus. The Congresso area (near La Nacional and Discepelo) is particularly dangerous at night.
- Phone snatching, especially iPhones does happen. Thieves on motorcycles or on foot will snatch your phone if you’re walking while looking at your phone, sitting close to the window in a taxi, on a bus or metro when it stops, etc.
- At cafes and restaurants, keep your backpack or bag under your table or on your lap, and not hanging off the back of the chair.
- When sitting outdoors at cafes and restaurants, don’t keep your phone on the table, especially when street vendors come up to your table to sell you something or ask for money. They’ll get close to your table to steal your phone as they distract you while talking to you.
- At outdoor milongas, keep your backpack in the same area as everyone else’s backpacks, usually in the center or corner.
- Don’t leave your phone, especially iPhones, on the table unattended at milongas while you dance.
- It’s advisable not to wear expensive watches or jewellery when walking around the city or catching public transport.
BA Emergency Contact Numbers
Buenos Aires Tourist Police (they speak English): +54-11-5050-3293 / +54-11-5050-9260 or email: serv.turista@gmail.com
Buenos Aires Tourist Ombudsman if you experience abuse, maltreatment, or discrimination: call +54-11-5295-6906 or email: turistacentral@defensoria.org.ar
These numbers can only be dialed from a local phone / SIM number:
911: Police, fire, and medical emergency (single number for all emergencies)
100: Firefighting for fires & accidents
101: Police (emergency)
107: Medical Emergency / Ambulance Services
120: COVID-19 Help & Info
135: Suicide Prevention
137: Family Violence Victims
144: Women’s Violence
145: Human Trafficking
147: BA Help Center
0800 999 2838: Tourist Assistance for problems with stores, robberies, crime, losses, etc. Available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and French, from 8am to 8pm
More phone numbers can be found at these links:
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