Elegant, passionate and culturally adventurous, Buenos Aires proudly displays its refined reputation as the “Paris of South America”. Its European-influenced architecture leads to tree-lined avenues and notable bares (historic cafes) that will serve you a Cortado with a side of romantic nostalgia. Beneath its sophisticated surface, this city sizzles, as do the grilled meats of its local parillas and the rhythmic dance steps of a seductive tango.
A trip to Buenos Aires irresistibly triggers the desire to settle down for 6 months on the banks of the Rio de la Plata. The call of the new world certainly intact. Its mixed architecture between colonial, Art-Deco and contemporary design, tells the story of Argentina. We love getting lost in the popular streets of Microcentro with its leather shops and improbable tango shoe stalls. For the cliché, San Telmo and La Boca combine all the folklore, from tango to Boca Junior. Buenos Aires today is also Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood, chic and bobo with its bourgeois houses transformed into lounges, concept stores and designer boutiques. To go out, you have to hang around Puerto Madero where the docks have been rehabilitated into very trendy addresses.
To visit Buenos Aires well, include stops at its cultural monuments: the Teatro Colón, the MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires), and one of its 800 bookstores such as the Ateneo Grand Spendid. For architectural marvels, don't miss Casa Rosada in Plaza de Mayo, Recoleta Cemetery and Palacio Barolo. Start planning your getaway to the capital of Argentina by choosing from our Flight and Hotel packages!
Security
Crime
Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching and cell phone theft are common. Perpetrators of these types of crimes often resort to distraction. Pickpockets often work in tandem or in groups and use various schemes to distract their victims. In some cases, thieves on foot team up with thieves on motorcycles, known as " motochorros ", to steal purses, mobile phones and backpacks.
Common scams
- distract the victim by asking questions while another person commits the theft;
- splashing the victim with some substance and then stealing it while pretending to help clean the stain. If this happens to you, politely decline assistance and leave.
Diversionary thefts are often committed in the following places
- places frequented by tourists;
- railway stations, bus stations and airports;
- the subway in Buenos Aires;
- hotel lobbies and restaurants, including terraces near streets.
To avoid becoming a victim
- beware of strangers approaching you, as they may attempt to distract you and rob you;
- avoid flaunting wealth;
- always store your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a safe place;
- do not hang your bags and purses on chairs or keep them between your feet in public places;
- do not leave handbags or backpacks containing valuables in the overhead compartments of coaches;
- do not carry large sums of money with you;
- avoid putting valuables in your checked baggage, as criminal groups are at work in airports looking for electronic devices and valuables.
Violent crimes
Armed robberies and muggings occur in urban centres. Victims walk away unscathed in most cases, but criminals can use force when resisted. If you are robbed, hand over your money and valuables without resistance. Do not walk alone after dark, especially in the center of large cities. If you are the victim of a crime, notify the police and obtain a police report. It is not possible to file a complaint from abroad or to ask the Canadian Embassy to do so on your behalf.
Buenos Aires
In Buenos Aires, exercise caution in all tourist areas, especially: La Boca; Congress; Florida Street; the area of the Retiro bus terminal; San Telmo. In the La Boca district, always stay on Caminito street. Robberies with violence are committed in the neighboring streets. Avoid this area after dark.
Tips for a safe trip - City of Buenos Aires
Crime is a concern in Mendoza. Some incidents have resulted in acts of violence. Exercise caution and vigilance at all times, especially at the bus terminal and in General San Martín Park. Avoid walking in uninhabited areas at night.
Drug-related as well as Petty crimes and violence are common in Rosario
ATMs. Criminals sometimes wait outside banks to rob people who have just withdrawn money. Pay attention to what is happening around you when using ATMs. Avoid using ATMs at night. Use ATMs located indoors in places like hotels or supermarkets.
Thefts from vehicles
Thefts from unattended vehicles, including rental cars, are common throughout the country, but especially in Bariloche and Mendoza. Personal effects are stolen from the trunk of parked cars.
- Park in a guarded parking lot or secure garage if possible.
- Do not leave valuables in the car, including the trunk.
- When driving, keep windows closed and doors locked at all times due to the risk of theft, especially when stopped at a red light.
Abductions
Although infrequent, blitzkriegs targeting tourists have occurred in Argentina. Victims are usually kidnapped for ransome.
Hotel prices - cheap to expensive
Hotels in Puerto Madero are the most expensive in Buenos Aires, with rooms averaging $358 per night. Hotels in Constitución are the cheapest in Buenos Aires, at just $73 for a night on average. The lowest price for a room in Buenos Aires found in the last 7 days was $44 per night. This rate is available at Buenos Aires Inn Hotel, a 3-star hotel.
Travel in comfort when you book a room at the Hilton Buenos Aires, the most popular 5-star hotel in Buenos. There are 452 hotels in Buenos Aires near Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport. Los Arboles, casa completa a 5 minutos del Aeropuerto is the closest accommodation, located 2.4 km from this airport.
Argentina is a country in South America, bordering Chile, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Her name is probably derived from the Latin word for silver - argentum. The country has an area of roughly 2,8 Million square kilometers and is the second largest nation of the South American continent after her neighbor Brazil. With 45 Million citizens it's the third largest country after Brazil and Columbia. Its capital is Buenos Aires, where about 16 Million people, about one third of Argentina's total population live.