Hi - I am heading to BA next week, and excited for my first time to South America. I do like to travel a lot, but in the past, I've mainly done Western Europe. As my first time to South America, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on general safety and security in BA for a single guy exploring on his own.

Of course I would follow the regular precautions of not carrying large sums of cash, trimming my wallet, not looking too touristy, but wondering if there was anything additional I should be aware of in BA. I do hope to have my nice DSLR camera with me to take photos (I normally keep it in my backpack and only take it out when I need to) - do you think thats fine or a bad idea?

As I mentioned, first time in South America, dont know what to expect, and as a lone traveler, just wondering what the folks on this forum have to say about BA. Thank you in advance for your comments.

Use the least common of all senses.... (aka Common Sense), and you will be fine. Have small change to pay for Taxis, and dont do anything you wouldnt do in any very large city that you are not from. Have a great trip !! ^

I'd leave the backpack and take a small camera that fits in your pocket. Take cash and one credit card only - and leave any other valuables (watch, rings) in the safe at the hotel.

Everyone will know that you are a tourist - no exceptions.

You'll be fine with your DSLR. Just take the sensible precautions you would in any other big city and be especially careful of your valuables in crowded places such as on the Subte, Florida street etc.

Have a wonderful trip

I wouldn't walk about with an expensive camera on show but I'm sure you know that already. A fellow Flyertalker I know did and ten minutes after I said cheerio to him and his missus he was mugged on Ave Santa Fe. Being a Scot he managed to hang on to his camera though.

Enjoy.

I also wouldn't have a backpack with any valuables on your back.

Be extra vigilant on public transit, and be careful you don't get too intoxicated at odd hours and make sure you keep your eyes on your beverages.

Generally, streetsmarts that get you through Europe will get you through Argentina.

Also, if you see packs of youth in a group, especially at night, just 'hanging out' cross the street.

I err on the side of taking taxis more at night than I used to.

You should be fine.

That was the problem!

More like the white complexion, shorts with socks and sandals, Hard Rock Cafe T shirt and cap, BA street map in hand and the latest DSLR Nikon slung round the neck for all to see.

Talk about dressing and acting incognito.

I had a problem, but it was due in part to my being overserved on New Year's Eve and being an easy target.

Follow normal big city precautions, and then maybe be 5% more careful than that.

It's a generally safe country, but there are crimes to be sure. I've seen motorcycle bandits appear out of nowhere on the city's most elegant streets, robbing a woman right in front of the Four Seasons, so nothing can be completely avoided.

Just have fun, don't carry all your cash with you everywhere you go, and you should be fine.

If you have a nice phone (iPhone especially), be careful where you use it. Whilst I have no hesitation in many parts of the world talking on the phone as I walk down the street, that is not a good idea in Buenos Aires. The phone itself is a ready target, and also gives the impression that you might have some other valuables. It also goes without saying that if you're on your phone, your attention is there instead of on your immediate surroundings, so you make yourself that much easier to target.

Heh. I have the opposite situation. When I'm in BA, I blend in so well that people always come up and ask me for directions to the Subte or something.

I've never felt particularly unsafe in BA, although it does seem like the homeless problem in Monserrat/Congreso is really surging lately. Still, I don't see the people causing any problems with passersby.

I agree that if you use basic city smarts you should be fine. And BA remains a far safer city than, say, Chicago. As I'm sure you know, there have been repeated wilding episodes in the Loop/River North for quite some time. I don't really worry about that kind of thing in BA.

It's not a good idea in London either. iPhones are getting snatched from people with alarming regularity at the moment

thanks for all your input everyone. really appreciate it, and makes me feel a little better about walking about next week.