Originally Posted by
cruisr
Let's start with the basics. I have been to 117 countries and always travel by public transportation and love to walk everywhere. I am not a tourist I am a traveler and I love to do off the beaten path things and find things that locals do.
I have been to some sketchy places but I have never felt so unsafe as I had on my recent trip to SCL. Because of that I am posing this question.
In SCL everybody from the hotel, which handed out warning sheets, to my uber drivers, to my tour guides made me feel I was about to be robbed, knocked down, purse stolen and ripped off. I did get ripped of by a taxi, but none of the other things happened. As a result, was constantly looking over my shoulder, and this is from someone who is always aware of her surroundings. I wasn't a pleasant time.
From what I have read/heard BsAs is worse the SCL. Now I am reading on here that the hotel I was looking at, The Park Tower is in a bad area. I have read about the squeezing paint or mustard and these stories pop up on other message boards and it seems like it's happening all of the time.
I have been to BsAs in 1998 with my DH and DS and enjoyed it and didn't have any problems. Do these scams target certain profiles. Would a 60 plus solo woman be a typical target. I know to take off all my jewelry, not carry anything valuable burn seems like if I take out my iPhone to look at it I am making myself a target.
I am ending a cruise in BsAs and due to air need to stay for two days. I can also do 4 days. I I love doing walking tours and walking everywhere and it seems there is so much to do. I just can decide if it's worth it if I am feeling than am under siege.
I am now going to look at another hotel. Would Recoleta be the safest place?
Again, sorry about sounding dramatic but I have received more warnings and heard more bad things about BsAs then I did when I went to CPT and other places in South Africa.
Are all these stories exaggerated?
Gracias
The Park Tower is a nice hotel and there is also a lot to do around that area just within walking distance (Puerto Madero, Santa Fe street Florida Street, Casa Rosada, etc, you may also get a Sube car for public transportation). It is safe to walk around downtown during the day and regarding you cell phone, just try to get in a store or building closest to you to use your phone safely and hide your phone away when you are not using it (I usually put mine in the front pocket of my jeans). You need to use common sense and watch for pickpockets and so on but generally speaking it is safe during the day. Having said that, some areas may be a little less safe than others, especially after dark. If you are out in the evening, stay on the main streets and don't take short cuts through alleys. Hope this was useful, and have a nice stay!