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Pedestrians and drivers should exercise caution, as drivers frequently ignore traffic laws and vehicles often travel at excessive speeds.

The U.S. government is supportive of coordinated efforts by Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay to combat illegal activity in the tri-border region where there is a long-standing pattern of trafficking of illicit goods. U.S. citizens crossing from Argentina into Paraguay or Brazil may wish to consult the most recent Country Specific Information for Brazil and Paraguay.

Demonstrations are common in metropolitan Buenos Aires and occur in other major cities as well. Protesters on occasion block streets, highways, and major intersections, causing traffic jams and delaying travel. While demonstrations are usually nonviolent, some individuals break from larger groups and sometimes seek confrontation with the police and vandalize private property. Groups occasionally protest in front of the U.S. Embassy and U.S.-affiliated businesses. U.S. citizens should take common-sense precautions and avoid gatherings or any other event where crowds congregate to protest. Information about the location of possible demonstrations is available from a variety of sources, including the local media.

Domestic flight schedules can be unreliable. Occasional work stoppages, over-scheduling of flights, and technical problems can result in flight delays, cancellations, or missed connections. Consult local media or the airline company for information about possible strikes or slow-downs before planning travel within Argentina.

Public transportation is generally reliable and safe. The preferred option for travel within Buenos Aires and other major cities is by radio taxi or "remise" (private car with driver). The best way to obtain safe taxis and remises is to call for one or go to an established stand, rather than hailing one on the street. Hotels, restaurants, and other businesses can order remises or radio taxis, or provide phone numbers for such services. Passengers on buses, trains, and the subway should be alert for pickpockets, especially during rush hours. Passengers should also be aware that these forms of transport are sometimes interrupted by strikes or work stoppages. There have been accidents involving inter-urban trains in Buenos Aires in recent years resulting in passenger injuries and deaths. Inter-urban passenger train service has been largely replaced by bus and plane service as a feasible and reliable option for most travelers.

CRIME: Most U.S. citizens visit Argentina without incident. Nevertheless, street crime in the larger cities, especially greater Buenos Aires, Rosario and Mendoza, is a constant problem for residents and visitors alike. As in any big city, visitors to Buenos Aires and popular tourist destinations should be alert to muggers, pickpockets, scam artists, and purse-snatchers on the street, in hotel lobbies, at bus and train stations, and in cruise ship ports. Be careful in San Telmo, an older traditional neighborhood specializing in antique stores, Recoleta, and La Boca (home to the famous “Caminito” street and “Boca Juniors” soccer stadium) in Buenos Aires, where violent robberies have been occurring with increasing frequency. While crime can occur at all times of day, tourists who go to La Boca should limit their visits to the designated tourist street during daylight hours only. Visitors should be aware that “villas” or shanty towns are present throughout Buenos Aires and other major cities, even in tourist zones, and should avoid entering these areas.

A number of scams involving yellow and black taxis have been reported at international airports and around Buenos Aires. The most frequently reported scams include a “handler” at the airport requesting hundreds of pesos (an amount that far exceeds the likely fare) from the traveler as s/he getsinto the cab. The traveler assumes s/he is paying a flat rate up front. When the cab ride is finished, the driver demands the ride fare stating to have no association with the handler at the airport and that the fee paid was to get placed in the cab. Another version of the scam involves the taxi breaking down on the side of the freeway and another cab coming to retrieve the passenger. The first driver demands payment for the whole fare to the destination, as does the second driver who completes the trip. To avoid these potential issues, either pre-arrange transportation or select one of the flat rate “remise” services located inside the airport terminal. In town, radio taxis from a reliable location, such as a hotel, should be utilized whenever possible. After dark, radio taxis or private “remise” taxis should be called from a reliable location.

Criminals usually work in groups, and travelers should assume criminals are armed. Criminals employ a variety of ruses to distract and victimize unsuspecting visitors. Be suspicious of anyone who approaches you on the street. A common scam is to spray mustard or another substance on the tourist from a distance. A pickpocket will then approach the tourist offering to help clean the stain, and while doing so, s/he or an accomplice robs the victim. Another scam is to entice tourists into a bar known as a “wiskeria” with a flyer for a shopping discount or free show. Once inside, the victim is not allowed to leave until s/he pays an exorbitant amount for a drink. In other scenarios, criminals use the excuse of handing out the flyers to approach victims and rob them.

Thieves on foot and motorcycles, “motochorros,” regularly nab purses, backpacks, laptops, and luggage, and criminals will often distract visitors for a few seconds to steal valuables. If traveling in a car, keep windows up and valuables in the trunk or on the floor boards. Do not place handbags on the back of your chair or on the floor at a restaurant; instead, keep them in your lap. While most U.S. citizens are not physically injured when robbed, criminals may be armed and are known to use force when they encounter resistance. There have been violent and even fatal attacks on foreigners carrying valuables such as expensive cameras and equipment. Visitors are advised to immediately hand over all cash and valuables if confronted. Thieves may target visitors wearing expensive watches or jewelry, or carrying laptop computer cases. When staying in a hotel or apartment, it is a good precaution to call the front desk or security to identify uninvited individuals before giving them access. There have been a small number of reports of the use of date rape drugs in bars.

Travelers should use caution entering and exiting financial institutions and when using ATM machines. Thieves have been known to target persons coming in and out of these locations. Some travelers have received counterfeit currency in Argentina. Unscrupulous vendors and taxi drivers sometimes pretend to help tourists review their pesos and then trade bad bills for good ones. Characteristics of good currency can be reviewed at the Argentine Central Bank website.

Along with conventional muggings, "express kidnappings" occur. Victims are grabbed off of the street or stopped in mobile vehicle road blocks based on their appearance and vulnerability. In some scenarios, they are forced to withdraw as much money as possible from ATM machines, and then their family or co-workers are contacted and told to deliver all the cash that they have on hand or can gather in a couple of hours. Once the ransom is paid, the victim is usually quickly released unharmed. There have been some foreign victims of express kidnappings. Visitors are particularly advised not to let children and adolescents travel alone. Virtual kidnappings (fake telephone kidnappings) are common. Criminals use stolen phones or otherwise obtained personal data to contact family members and co-workers claiming to have kidnapped the owner of the phone. This has happened while the alleged kidnapping victim is in the movie theater, on an international flight, or when a cell phone has just been stolen. Memorizing important phone numbers and if robbed immediately finding a phone and letting family members know you are alright are critical to interrupting this cycle.

Travelers worldwide are advised to avoid packing valuables in their checked baggage. In Argentina, officials have publicly acknowledged the systematic theft of valuables and money from checked baggage at Buenos Aires airports. Travelers should exercise continued care and caution.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are such goods illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law when purchasing them.

Your passport is a valuable document and should be guarded. Passports and other valuables should be locked in a hotel safe, and a photocopy of your passport should be carried for identification purposes. The U.S. Embassy has observed an increase in reports of stolen passports.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: Countrywide - To report emergencies, contact the police, an ambulance, or the fire department by dialing 911 from any phone except in Cordoba, Mendoza, Iguazu, Tucuman, and Tierra del Fuego provinces, in which you need to dial 101 for emergency services.

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The Argentine Federal Police have established a Tourist Police Unit to receive complaints and investigate crimes against tourists. The unit, located at Corrientes 436 in Buenos Aires, responds to calls around the clock at 4346-5748 or toll-free 0800-999-5000 from anywhere in the country. The Mendoza Tourist Police Unit, open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, is located at San Martin 1143, telephone 0261-413-2135. After hours, the Mendoza unit may be reached by cell phone at 0261-15-6444-324.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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Population: 45,195,774


Total Land Area: 2,736,690 km2


Population/km2: 16.51