Yes, Argentina is safe for travelers who exercise normal precautions. The US State Department says petty crime occurs at times in popular tourist locations and throughout Buenos Aires, and that drug trafficking groups bring crime and violence to Rosario.
At Safe to Go, we re-check the US, UK and Canada advisories for Argentina every day. What we see travelers misread most often is the national level, when the warning is about specific regions.
Where Warnings Focus Across Cities and Regions
Official travel advisories focus primarily on specific cities and high-density tourist neighborhoods rather than issuing sweeping national warnings. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada do not advise against travel to Argentina as a whole, but they highlight distinct pockets where visitor risk rises.
In Santa Fe province, the US State Department advisory for Argentina specifically notes that criminal and drug trafficking groups are active in Rosario, which results in violent crime. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also tells visitors to be particularly cautious in Rosario.
In Buenos Aires, official warnings center on dense neighborhoods, transit hubs, and commercial thoroughfares. The UK FCDO specifically advises travelers to maintain extra caution in Palermo, San Telmo Market and the general San Telmo area, Retiro, Florida Street, Avenida de Mayo, Avenida 9 de Julio, and Avenida Rivadavia near the obelisk. The same UK list names the Retiro Bus terminal, the cruise and ferry terminals, and the Ecological Reserve. In La Boca, the UK notes that risk concentrates in the streets outside the Caminito tourist area, where visitors should stay within designated zones with visible police patrols.
Outside the capital, the UK FCDO urges caution downtown in Mendoza and says thefts from unattended vehicles, especially hire cars, happen frequently in Bariloche. Along the northern borders, the UK notes that the province of Misiones, near Paraguay and Brazil, is an active corridor for goods smuggling where drivers should seek advice from customs officials before moving through.
Street Crime and Distraction Scams in Argentina
Petty crime occurs at times, especially in popular tourist locations and throughout Buenos Aires. Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate regularly on public transport networks, bus stations, and train terminals, where luggage left unattended or hung on chairs is easily stolen.
Thieves often work in teams of two or more, frequently using women to stage distraction scenarios.
A common distraction tactic reported in Buenos Aires is the mustard scam. In this scenario, one thief discreetly sprays mustard or a similar liquid on your clothing, while an accomplice steps in pretending to help clean off the mess. While you are distracted by the cleanup, an accomplice steals your bags. If someone approaches you offering to clean a stain off your jacket, politely but firmly refuse help and walk away immediately.
The UK FCDO says armed robberies are a risk in Argentina. If you are confronted during an armed robbery, hand over your cash and valuables without resistance. Express kidnappings occasionally occur in Argentina, where victims are abducted for short periods and forced to withdraw funds from ATMs or execute bank transfers before being released. To cut this risk, the UK FCDO says to avoid wearing expensive clothing or jewellery in public, avoid casual taxis and stay vigilant at night. If you are kidnapped, follow the kidnapper’s instructions.
Food and drink spiking also presents a threat to personal safety in nightlife venues. Spiked drinks and food could put you at risk of robbery or assault, the UK FCDO says. Never leave beverages unattended in bars or restaurants, refuse food or drink offered by strangers, and be alert to date rape drugs. The UK FCDO notes that foreign travelers have been robbed or assaulted after inviting people they recently met, either online or in person, back to their private accommodation.
- Keep cash close to your body or out of sight using an under-clothing money belt.
- Hold your bags close while checking into hotels or hostels to stop thieves posing as guests from taking them.
- Refuse unrequested assistance from strangers attempting to clean stains off your clothes.
- Stay within the designated tourist zone of Caminito in La Boca where visible police patrols are stationed.
Taxis and Road Risks in Argentina
To maintain safe transport, book taxis in advance if possible instead of taking unverified cars.
If you need to flag down a taxi on the street, only take official radio taxis. These vehicles display a clearly marked radio taxi company logo on the exterior car doors. The Buenos Aires city government maintains an official directory of approved radio taxi providers for verification.
Driving independently requires defensive driving habits and specific paperwork. The UK FCDO says respect for speed limits and traffic signals varies, and drivers can make unexpected turns or brake suddenly. Vehicle crime is a problem, so keep car windows closed and doors locked when driving in major cities.
If you plan to drive using a UK license, you must carry both your domestic driving license and the 1949 version of the International Driving Permit (IDP) in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so you must obtain it before leaving.
Health and Adventure Sports Risks in Argentina
The health risks the advisories name for Argentina are Andes virus (Hantavirus) and altitude sickness on some hikes. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues a Travelers’ Health Notice for Andes virus (Hantavirus) in the region, which the UK FCDO also flags. While the health notice exists, the US State Department notes that the direct risk of Hantavirus for most individual travelers remains extremely low.
The UK FCDO says you will have to pay for most helicopter rescues in Argentina, including on Mount Aconcagua. Activities such as mountain climbing, paragliding, off-road driving, and hot air ballooning require verified operators who provide adequate safety precautions and formal training. Altitude sickness is a risk when hiking in parts of Argentina.
Verify that your travel insurance policy explicitly includes extreme adventure sports, high-altitude trekking, medical evacuation, and dedicated helicopter search and rescue.
Protests and Road Blockades in Argentina
Protests occur regularly in Buenos Aires near major political landmarks, particularly around Congress (Congreso) and the Presidential Palace (Casa Rosada). Demonstrators known as piqueteros periodically erect blockades across major transit arteries, including primary access routes into and out of Buenos Aires City. In addition, occasional protests related to the Falkland Islands take place outside the British Embassy and British-affiliated commercial businesses.
Travelers should avoid all public protests, marches, and political gatherings. If your transit route encounters a piquetero road blockade, do not attempt to push through or cross the barrier. Monitor local news broadcasts and follow the advice of local authorities.
Where the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada Agree
The US and Canada both say to exercise normal precautions in Argentina, and the UK FCDO advises against travel to no part of the country.
The US State Department notes that Argentina is generally a safe destination for travelers, keeping its baseline guidance at standard precautions. However, the US specifically warns travelers about petty crime across Buenos Aires and highlights drug trafficking violence in Rosario.
The UK FCDO travel advice for Argentina does not advise against visiting any area of the country. Instead, it provides extensive, street-by-street guidance detailing pickpocketing schemes, distraction scams, rental car thefts in Bariloche, and road risks in Misiones. The UK also notes that global terrorism threats exist and indiscriminate attacks in Argentina cannot be completely ruled out.
The Government of Canada travel advisory for Argentina similarly advises normal security precautions nationwide with regional advisories. Canada’s summary mentions regional advisories without naming the regions, so read the Canada travel advisory for Argentina for them before you book.
To compare Argentina with other South American countries, see Is Brazil safe?, Is Colombia safe? or Is Ecuador safe?. You can also compare country baselines against our regional ranking of the safest countries in South America. Our verdict on Argentina would change if any of the three governments raised its advice above normal precautions or named an area to avoid. If your plans include adventure sports or high mountain hikes, do not go without insurance that covers helicopter rescue.
| Government | National Warning Stance | Primary Regional Focus |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Exercise normal precautions | Rosario trafficking violence; Buenos Aires petty theft |
| United Kingdom | No areas advised against | Specific Buenos Aires neighborhoods; Bariloche car break-ins; Misiones border roads |
| Canada | Exercise normal security precautions | Maintains regional advisories; general caution |
Drug Laws and Surrogacy Rules in Argentina
The UK FCDO flags three legal issues for visitors to Argentina: drug possession, surrogacy and Falklands-related legal action. Possession of even very small quantities of illegal drugs can result in a lengthy prison sentence.
Surrogacy presents serious legal challenges and risks in Argentina. Surrogacy is not regulated by national law, meaning contracts are not legally enforceable. Local authorities may deem surrogacy arrangements illegal, and criminal investigations into agencies and service providers are currently active. Some intended parents have faced issues obtaining birth certificates and when attempting to leave the country with the child born to them through surrogacy. Children born through surrogacy in Argentina automatically hold Argentine citizenship, must depart using an Argentine passport, and remain subject to local regulations applicable to the exit of minors in Argentina. Get specialist independent legal advice both at home and in Argentina before you start.
Argentine society is open and diverse, discrimination based on sexual orientation is rare, and same-sex marriage is fully legal across the country. Additionally, travelers associated with oil and gas companies exploring hydrocarbons in the Falkland Islands should seek legal counsel, as the Argentine government has stated intentions to pursue legal action against these firms.
Checking Real-Time Conditions and Daily Safety
Before beginning your journey, set up real-time advisory tracking directly with official government agencies. US citizens can enroll in the STEP before traveling.
UK travelers can sign up for automated email alerts directly through the UK foreign travel advice service or follow the FCDO Travel Aware social channels. In addition, Canadian visitors should monitor the Canada travel advisory page for newly logged updates.
The live panel above shows today’s advice from all three governments, re-checked every day. You can track broader government updates across the globe using our monitor for latest advisory changes or check is it safe to travel there? Every country. Keep a copy of your passport somewhere safe, and check local news before you go near Congress or the Casa Rosada. Before you fly, download our free travel safety checklist.