1. Staying Safe in Buenos Aires
Emily Mollohan

2. Basic tips Don’t be paranoid, just be aware of your surroundings.
If you do find yourself the victim of robbery or an attack, DO NOT FIGHT BACK! Give them what they want. If you don’t, you could be seriously injured.
If they ask you for your purse, money, backpack, or wallet, the safest thing to do is just hand it over to them
Carry some US Dollars in your front pocket. That way if you are approached to be robbed, you can just hand it over and they will most likely run away and leave you alone.

3. Basic tips
Buy a prepaid cell phone for emergencies and calling taxis. Some homestays may provide you with one already, just ask.
The police are very corrupt in Buenos Aires and are not exactly a safe friend to call “HELP!” to. They are just as likely to rob you in some instances, so just play it safe.
Use common sense.
DO NOT get involved with riots or protests in city squares!

4. THEFT
Thieves distract their victims by spilling food or drink on their clothing. They offer to clean it up while someone else robs you while you are being distracted.
Asking for directions or pretending to be robbed is another distraction.
Use your judgment when giving directions
DO NOT help people that appear to be getting robbed!!
They will do whatever they can do to divert the attention to something else
Fast scooters may drive up behind and rip off backpacks, purses, cameras, clothing and jewelry
Groups of children and teenagers (They ARE NOT as innocent as they make themselves out to be)

5. On the streets
#1 AVOID TRAVELLING IN LARGE GROUPS OF AMERICANS AND DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH LOUDLY!
Americans are the most targeted due to the stereotype that they are the most wealthy and are always carrying large amounts of money with them
Walk down the street with confidence, like you know where you are going
Always be aware of your surroundings
Look for people that look suspicious
Watch for people on scooters or motorcycles on the sidewalks, they might be pickpockets
Beware of pickpockets

6. On the streets
Always try to fit in as much as possible, like you are a local
In crowded areas do not carry your backpack on your back or on one shoulder
Carry it in front of you (“Pregnant Lady”)
Never hang your backpack or purse on the back of your chair, bench or leave it on the ground
Remain alert when using a public phone
Don’t walk around with unwanted items on you
Debit cards, credit cards, passport, excess money, valuables, electronics
Do not leave the bank ATM with your money in one location, split it up!

7. On the streets Don’t carry anything in your back pocket!
Carry valuable stuff around your neck or around your waist, under your clothes
Carry just a copy of your passport, not the actual one
ALWAYS speak Spanish as much as possible!
Always carry a contact card with you that includes:
Homestay house number
Homestay cell number
Friend of homestay number
Radio taxi numbers
Program office number
Program office emergency number

8. Taxis ALWAYS take a Radio Taxi! Sign on the top
They are the most safe taxi companies in Buenos Aires.
If you leave something in the taxi, they will call you back.
They are monitored by the company, so if you keep the taxi number you can always call to report lost items or problems that have occurred.
How to identify a Radio Taxi
Sign on the top of the car
“Radio Taxi” and company name usually on the back door
Taxi Number on the front doors
“Radio Taxi” and company
Taxi number

9. Taxis
ALWAYS ask how much it will cost to get to where you are going, BEFORE you agree to take the taxi
If you don’t, they may make you pay more at the end than it really should cost by changing their meters.
ALWAYS make sure you have plenty of money to pay for the taxi, before you decide to take a taxi
Taxi drivers are willing to stop at a bank, so you can get money from the ATM.
THIS IS NOT SAFE AND YOU SHOULD NOT DO THIS AT ANY TIME!
They will then follow you to the ATM and threaten you to withdraw as much money as you can.

10. tAXIS Calling ahead to reserve a taxi is usually a good idea
They will pick you up at the designated location
They will be there on time
They will usually have a flat fee, which is cheaper than running the meter
You will be able to know who your driver is incase there are problems or you lost something while in the taxi

11. Subte (Subway)
ALWAYS make sure you are aware of your surroundings at all times
If wearing a backpack, either put under your shoulder or on your front (“Pregnant Lady”).
Hide purses under clothing
Do not make eye contact with people
The children are usually the thieves on the Subte.
One will usually distract you, while the others rob you
Pregnant Lady

12. Colectivos (Buses) ALWAYS make sure that you have your coins ready
When getting on, make sure you tell the driver where you are going so he can enter in the amount you must pay to get there
Make sure you keep your ticket from the machine, as sometimes the police will check to make sure you have one
Study the bus routes (the bus system is very confusing) as it is easy to get lost within the city
If lost, be very hesitant when asking directions
Carry route book with you at all times
On bus carry your items in front of you
Be aware of your surroundings as buses are extremely crowded

13. At your homestay, hotel, or hostel
Keep your money and your passport in a safe place
Maids in households are very commonly known for theft of American student’s items
Sometimes homestay parents have a safe where you can put your valuable items, just ask
Keep excess money and passport in a hidden place or a place in your room that locks (hotels and hostels will most likely give you a safe or a locker)
Hostels will usually require you to bring your own lock and just provide a locker, so keep one handy if you are traveling in your free time
Make sure your homestay parents know where you are going and what time you will return, so they don’t begin to worry and then have the program provider looking for you
If you will be late, CALL!

14. nightlife Drink responsibly! DO NOT DO DRUGS !
Drinking excessively will put you in danger
It gives an ugly impression of Americans
Getting drunk in public will separate you from your host culture
Natives will ignore you, except those that want to take advantage of you
It will ruin your time abroad by drinking to get drunk
Going to the bar to enjoy a few drinks is completely normal and is encouraged
Don’t drink as much as the locals would in an entire evening
DO NOT DO DRUGS !
You do not know what you are getting and you could compromise a fun trip abroad by being expelled from your program

15. NIghtlife
Do not take unnecessary items to boliches (clubs), most students get robbed
iPhones
MP3
iPods
DON’T walk home alone at night
Call a taxi to take you home and wait for it in a well-lit area
Stick together in groups of 3-4 or have a male escort
Don’t let a stranger walk you home or take a taxi with you

16. Women
DO NOT make an acknowledgement to male strangers with a smile or any type of gesture
Do not feel obligated to talk to men when they attempt to have a conversation
They usually only approach you if they would like to have sex with you
Never accept to go to a private place with a guy
Car, apartment, any dark area, etc
By accepting to go to a private place, you have said “Yes” to having sex with them
“NO” to Argentine’s does not usually mean “NO!”
They are very touchy people and forward people, and once you give in to whatever they have to offer, there is usually no turning back
Should not necessarily carry a purse, unless it is a crossbody purse
Over the shoulder purses are really easy to steal
Guard it securely

17. Unwanted attention
Native men are known for making unwanted gestures or comments to American women that are very vulgar
Your best option is to IGNORE them!
Do not give your attention to them, just keep walking
Avoid acknowledging them, especially DO NOT smile
If you can, walk with a man to the divert attention

18. Traveling
It is safer to buy tickets (autobus, Buquebus, airplanes, train, etc) before you are planning to leave
Make sure you have fully located the route to the bus station, train station, airport, or port before you make the journey
The bus terminal (Retiro) is in an unsafe part of the city, so just be aware of your surroundings if you are taking the Subte there
Reserve your hotels or hostels ahead of time and make sure you have maps to where it is located

19. Always remember IT is better to be safe than sorry and enjoy your study abroad experience!`