Considering the number of taxis out there, problems are very rare (i.e., false meters, taken out of the way, change scams, etc). The "Radio Taxi" companies could be considered more reliable. For a quick trip, the first taxi that shows up is typically going to be just fine.

Thanks to everyone for their very helpful responses so far for my upcoming stay in B.A. (less than a week to go now).

One additional question, I have been getting mixed signals on the safety of the Recoleta area when I mention I am staying there. I thought this was a relatively safe location to set as our base in B.A. Would appreciate it if locals could please weigh-in.

Staying on Juncal by Azcuenaga and Uriburu. Obviously I will not be walking around with my phone out all the time or do anything I wouldn't do in any major city but would like to be able to explore the area a bit on foot (and snap the occasional quick photo). Thoughts?

Thanks!

Just keep an eye out for the profesional dog walkers and their packs,and you will be fine,hope your not bringing a cat,though!

Hello Michael,

While I think you are doing the right thing in your extensive research and taking extra care to do the all the homework, I would be careful to not overdo things.

Buenos Aires is not Geneva or Singapore, but its also certainly not Monterrey, Cairo, Kinshasa or Mogadishu. If you are however looking for a 100% guarantee of Safety, then its best to stay behind as I will be the first to tell you that nobody in their right mind will be able to guarantee absolute safety in a large City like Buenos Aires.

Asking repeatedly on multiple boards about safety will yield you pretty much the same responses. However, chances are you will mostly remember the few negative experiences that will be shared with you.... and that will, in my opinion, do nothing to enhance your trip experience. Actually, the contrary is true... as these reviews usually pre-program you with the wrong mindset, and end up not allowing you to make the best of what can surely be a very nice, safe and truly enjoyable trip.

Recoleta is perfectly safe if you use common sense and follow the various tips that have been provided to you... just don't do anything silly, leave behind the big watches & jewelry, don't walk around at night in the wrong places and you will have a great time. Common sense is all you need to have at all times and the most probable outcome will be perfectly fine.

Hope this helps....

Thanks,
Alex

Also, the safest location in town is Puerto Madero, although it is somewhat isolated and is generally a more "sterile" feel as everything is extremely modern and newly built, so it lacks the feel of the true Buenos Aires. If you are renting an apartment, you will be able to get a place there also, although many of the temporary rentals there are larger units which may not be exactly what your need or are looking for.

Cheers,
Alex

Recoleta is fine, as is most places a tourist would stay in BA. You are from NYC. You are far safer walking any of the tourist-centric areas in BA than you are walking around a vast portion of NYC. How many cell phones are grabbed and other petty crimes occur in NYC on a daily basis? Exactly.

You'll want to explore a lot on foot. I take more taxis at night (I'm not talking dinnertime night) than I used to, but those are for inter-neighborhood trips, where I no longer walk down less-traveled streets. Just like I'd avoid in NYC.

The only place you must avoid, which is relatively close to Recoleta, is going around the other side of the Retiro train station. (The Subte stop is fine.)

Thanks again everyone. I thought I was over-thinking this one which I never really do but as my mother gets older I just want to make sure I make the best possible choices -- realizing that nothing is ever 100%. This is after all the same woman who dodged the back alleys of Mong Kok with me in the middle of the night a few years ago and jumped out of a moving taxi (without me that time) in Mostar -- so we should be fine :-). Just being the over-protective son I suppose.

I am now focused on going with the flow and enjoying all that the City has to offer.

^ ^ ^

Michael --

I'm a fellow NYer, and spent about a week in BA last year with my husband. Looks like we're doing it again this year. I use a wheelchair to get around, so I get your concerns regarding your mother. Honestly: relax. It's a big city, much like an other big city (closest one in feel is Rome, IMHO, but even that one isn't quite the right analogy). Traffic is a little (or a lot) crazy. People do love their dogs (in that sense, it's more like Paris and NY). It's huge, and quite spread out. People are helpful and sweet. Find a base of operations (an area of the city to explore) each day, figure out what you want to do, and take it from there. And never underestimate the importance of stopping for a coffee or tea and some alfajores in mid-afternoon. It can make all the difference.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and advice for my trip to Buenos Aires. I am working on a full trip report and will post soon but B.A. truly stole my heart and the City was beyond my expectations. Thanks again for all of the advice and recommendations. Already looking forward to my next visit.

Very happy to read you enjoyed your trip. Please make sure to post the report on this forum also...

Cheers from EZE,
Gaucho100K

First trip to BA coming up end of June. Booked into the Be in San Telmo: any ideas if that's an ok hotel in an ok neighbourhood?

Hotel wants to charge me ARS 350 for an EZE pickup. Latest prices I can find suggest an official taxi should be ARS 250, or ARS 95 for Manual Tienda airport to hotel service. Are my prices about right or out of date?

i

The Be Hotel is the old Axel Hotel on Venezuela. The few blocks around there are bleh, but it isn't far at all from Defensa, or up to 9 de Julio or over to Belgrano to catch the Subte. So, the neighborhood is fine enough, but not very appealing (aesthetically) right out the front door. The hotel seems like it was built to "look like a W but built with products from an Ikea close-out."

Hotel price for a hotel arranged taxi seems fair - I've been paying $280 to my pre-arranged driver the past 2 trips.

San Telmo is fine.... but it does have some areas that are not particularly well maintained.

Mike, is your trip report up already....?