Buenos Aires is one of the safest cities for remote workers in Latin America. Indeed, the city’s European vibe makes it feel much less hectic than other capitals on the continent and generally feels easier to navigate. Growing numbers of tourists, expats and digital nomads in the city are a testament to the confidence visitors have in the city’s safety infrastructure.
Having said that, crime is not unheard of in the Argentine capital, and it is certainly important to follow a few basic guidelines to ensure your stay here is incident-free. Importantly, remote workers in Buenos Aires should register with their local embassy upon arrival and ensure they come to the city with appropriate health and travel insurance.
While you can consider Buenos Aires safe for remote workers, it will be helpful to know some of the most common forms of petty crime found around the city. Around busy parts of the city and the most touristic areas you can expect pick-pocketing rings to operate - Palermo is one of the capital’s neighborhoods with most thefts precisely because of a high concentration of foreigners and affluent professionals.
Equally, popular areas with tourists such as Plaza de Mayo and the Obelisco are common areas for pickpockets to operate in. “Motochorros”, or bag-snatchers on motorbikes, are also often found around the city and can certainly create very difficult situations - it is a good idea to always be vigilant when it comes to this type of theft and to carry only basic things with you around the city. Remote workers should also keep in mind that mobile phones are expensive in Argentina and, as such, popular items for thieves to target.
In general, the main neighborhoods of Buenos Aires are safe for remote workers. Yet there are certainly some areas of the city where visitors may want to be extra careful. Parts of areas which are popular and busy during the daytime such as San Telmo, Microcentro and La Boca can feel quite desolate during the evenings and provide settings where muggers and pickpockets can operate. Shady street corners in these areas are also known as places where prostitution and drug-dealing often occur.
Other parts of the center of the city around El Retiro, on Avenida Florida and Obelisco can be crowded with tourists and provide easy targets for pick-pockets and bag-snatchers. In all neighborhoods around the city it will be important to use ATMs inside banks and in well-lit areas. Equally, if you use a unofficial exchange booth, or “cueva”, try and find one with other people exchanging or one that is recommended by someone you trust.
Another occasional issue that may affect Buenos Aires is certainly the prospect of political protest stemming for general instability in the country’s government and economy. Indeed, Buenos Aires does have a healthy culture of peaceful protest, but recent years have seen many of these turn violent and result in vandalism of the city’s public transport network and road closures. Argentina continues to suffer an ongoing debt and inflation crisis, meaning the prospect for further unrest does remain. Nonetheless, you can expect these protests to be contained around specific areas of the city such as Plaza de Mayo, around football venues and Avenida 9 de Julio. A good tip is to always avoid political protests and, if possible, to avoid mentioning the Falklands as this can be a sensitive topic for some Argentines to discuss with visitors.
Public transport in Buenos Aires is safe for remote workers, also. An extensive bus and metro (Subte) network means it will be easy and convenient for remote workers to get around the city. Of course, during peak periods, both buses and the metro can become very crowded and provide an opportunity for pick-pockets and bag-snatchers to strike. In addition to this, visitors are advised to be vigilant among major transport hubs, such as the Retiro Bus Station, which are known spots where pick-pockets operate. Taxis and Ubers, in general, are safe in Buenos Aires and provide affordable options to get places quickly and safely.
Lastly, you can count on the fact Buenos Aires is safe for remote workers traveling alone, as well as women and LGBTQ+ individuals. The city is packed with lots of activities and an active international community, meaning it is super easy to make friends and community here. Of course, for women and LGBTQ+ individuals challenges will arise in terms of local macho culture and lack of tolerance in some spaces, but Buenos Aires is a vastly progressive city and perhaps one of the very safest for all types of individuals in Latin America.
For more information about living in Buenos Aires as a remote worker, check out our complete Buenos Aires guide.