Go with a plan.
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Buenos Aires at 37/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Argentina's national picture overall (67/100 vs 73/100).
City page · part of Argentina
The one number a country page can't give you
What people who actually live in Buenos Aires report
Numbeo aggregates thousands of resident-submitted perception surveys into a per-city Crime Index (higher = worse) and its inverse, a Safety Index — the only real city-granularity crime signal feeding this page, alongside Argentina's national advisory, political, health, and police-trust data.
Crime Index
63.0
Safety Index
37.0
The breakdown behind the number
What residents specifically worry about
Numbeo's own category breakdown — note some rows are framed as a worry/problem (higher = worse) and some as a safety rating (higher = better); read the label, not just the number.
Sub-scores
Same real inputs as Argentina's national page, with crime swapped for Buenos Aires's own Numbeo number above.
Local know-how
Staying safe in Buenos Aires, specifically
- • Emergency numbers: General Emergencies Line - Toll free call 911 Emergency - Ambulance emergency service SAME (Immediate Health Emergency Service), Toll free call.
- • Crime: Most people travel in Buenos Aires without any incident.
- • The most frequent incidents of crime involve pick-pocketing, distraction theft, and bag snatching.
- • In a common scam one person sprays something on the victim like hand cream, mustard or the like.
- • Another common occurrence is the slitting of handbags in crowded places.
Legal status (national law)
Legal since 1887+ UN decl. sign.
Source: Wikipedia — LGBTQ rights by country →Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / I · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 911 / ambulance: 911 / fire: 911
Tipping
There is no obligation to tip in Argentina although it is considered customary. Some restaurants already charge customers with "cubiertos" (table service). In these cases tipping is not expected. Sometimes rounding up or telling them to "keep the change" is enough on small checks, deliveries, gasoline tenders, etc. Leaving at least a 10% tip is considered kind and polite at restaurants, cafes, hot
SIM / Data
You can get a prepaid Movistar / Claro / Personal SIM card for a few pesos / free at phone shops, all you pay is about ARS20 (about US$5) for your initial credits. Inserting the SIM card into your unlocked mobile phone should work, although to register the SIM you might have to enter your passport (or any 9 digit) number. You then have your personal Argentinian phone number, which is very useful t
Cash vs. Card
The situation for foreign travelers using non-Argentine credit cards changed dramatically at the end of 2022. In short, the Argentine government established a new exchange rate for such transactions, called the "MEP" rate. As of December 2022, major international credit cards such as Visa began to process transactions at the new MEP rate. At the end of January, when the black market exchange rate
How this compares to Argentina
Numbeo's Safety Index puts Buenos Aires at 37/100 for crime — that makes it read sketchier than Argentina's national picture overall (67/100 vs 73/100).
See the full Argentina page and all receipts →