Going to Buenos Aires

Hi everyone, my wife and I are travelling to Buenos Aires, on the way to Madrid, Barcelona, the Dordogne in France etc.. We depart in a couple of weeks time.

I've discovered that Buenos Aires is not a particularly safe place to visit. We're both not that young anymore - early '70's and late '60's. But are still reasonably fit - ex farmers.

Photography of course (or I guess I wouldn't be posting here) is a big part of our travel plan. But what I read is that one should keep valuable items well out of sight or left back at hotel. Which kinda makes it all a bit disappointing, as Buenos Aires does appear to be quite photogenic.

Spain, although this will be the first time there, I don't have too many security/safety concerns about (our son's been there a few times - loves it). And France we've been to from time-to-time over the last 15 years - so we know what to expect there. This time we have an apartment booked in Sarlat, in the Dordogne.

I guess I'll be taking my Olympus e-m5 and the 12-40 pro lense, plus 17mm f1.8 and my 40-150mm lens.

Anyone care to comment on my reservations regarding Buenos Aires? Or any of our other plans.

When I visited Buenos Aires a few yers ago our tour guide said "don't show how rich you are - and rich is relative here because of the slums. A few days ago a man was nearly killed because of his camera.". When I walked through the town with my Canon 7D and a L-lens a local woman passing by said "you should better hide your camera".

I never felt endangered or so - and I'm definitely not the type of man that frightens anybody with his appearance or look.

Can't say more or how the situation is right now.

I did a month long trip around several countries in South America in 2015 including Buenos Aires. We walked all over the downtown areas of the city and never felt threatened. The area around La Boca is supposed to be sketchy but during the day it is crawling with tourists and tour busses. Overall , BA just seemed like a regular big city to me security-wise so I just took the usual precautions like not flashing obvious wealth, being aware of surroundings, leave valuables in hotel safe etc. I always had my photo equip with me stowed in a photo backpack but was discrete in when I used my camera. I would say keep your wits about you like any big city but enjoy your visit. It's a great city and felt very European to us. Lots of high end shopping, outdoor eating and interesting neighborhoods.

Rio de Janeiro was definitely more concerning to me but I hired a local guy to show us around and keep us out of trouble.

I had a similar experience four or five years ago. In fact, within a week in the central city, I was told to hide my camera no fewer than four times, including by a cop. I only had a point and shoot; a bag of lenses would be worse.

Also witnessed violent street crime one night near my B&B in San Telmo dist.

I've been to over 50 countries and, even though nothing happened to me, BA was my worst experience in terms of feeling ill at ease.

BTW, Argentina to Europe? Seems like a pretty protracted itinerary.

Nikita66 said:

I had a similar experience four or five years ago. In fact, within a week in the central city, I was told to hide my camera no fewer than four times, including by a cop. I only had a point and shoot; a bag of lenses would be worse.

Also witnessed violent street crime one night near my B&B in San Telmo dist.

I've been to over 50 countries and, even though nothing happened to me, BA was my worst experience in terms of feeling ill at ease.

BTW, Argentina to Europe? Seems like a pretty protracted itinerary.

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Yes it is. New Zealand is so far from Europe that we have to, to make the journey bearable, stopover on the way. The Dordogne region of France is our theme (if you like) for this trip. In the past we've gone mainly through Singapore or Hong Kong (very safe). But we were told by a Travel Agent that Air New Zealand now do flights to BA, and we thought "why not?". Then we read about security for visitors there, and it made us feel a bit uncomfortable about the decision - but the positives and negatives seem to be about equal. We're staying in a good hotel in the Recoleto District, which I read is one of the better areas. I don't want to spend the whole 3 days (4 nights) we're there, stuck in the hotel for fear - we really need to make the most of it and see things and record, where possible our visit using photos.

On the way home to New Zealand, we're stopping over in Singapore, been there a few times before, good R&R after an exciting holiday.

First, I have to say you should chill a little. I too was a little worried about coming to South America after reading some stories about muggings and the like, while it is no where near as safe, relatively as NZ or most areas in Europe, it is not as bad as some make out.

I am here now over 3 months, with expensive gear. I use common sense, I keep it out of sight when I am travelling by bus or taxi as I keep it in a backpack. I don't bring it out to the pub or anything like that. I always ask the locals if a place is safe or not and when night comes, are places still safe. If you are unsure, get an uber to get to a place. I took local buses, taxis and used the metro, with my gear in my bag. When it gets crowded, put your bag to the front, so you won't have something lifted from the back. You see locals do this, so as they say, when in Rome.

Just use common sense. BA is like any other big city and is certainly safer than say places I have been in Colombia and Ecuador. La Boca has a reputation, but I had my Sony gear there for the day and shoot away, with no issues. If you are travelling with someone, get them to keep an eye out. Pickpocketing is a more common issue so keep your valuables in your pockets limited.

It would be very very rare to have someone come up to you with a knife or gun in broad daylight in an OK neighbourhood in BA and mug you off your stuff. Brazil, some places in Colombia, Peru a little more common from what I have heard. Now, if you are going to walk from say San Telmo to La Boca while its dark, then yes, you will probably 100% get mugged, but the thing is no one does that, not even the locals. When its dark and you want to get a place, ask a local and get a taxi.

Again, I repeat, chill out, its not as bad as others make out. You will get to Recolotta, walk around and see the glorious architecture during the day and think to yourself, what all the fuss was about.

BA is a dream for street photography. So many great neighbours and they like getting their pictures taken.

Ill post a few.

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https://www.instagram.com/ulankford/

Thanks for the good advice. It puts things into a better perspective. I really like your photos.

Thank you. What is of interest to you to photograph?

I do like your people photos and would like to do some of that; but find I'm a bit inhibited to really do this, to any satisfactory extent. I also like interesting architecture. Having an interest in history, historical buildings feature high on my list.

ulankford said:

Again, I repeat, chill out, its not as bad as others make out.

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Well, i was there in BA and a mate came right after me in our Hostel in down town and he was pointed with a knife just outside the Hostel to get his wallet loose, across the street were two cops which saw what happened and they did not move a finger…

I mean shiet happens but its not compulsory all the times. The city is a beauty with a cr@ppy taste as the robbery was the first night being there.

I am not an expert but have been to BA a few times. I walked the downtown area alone with my m4/3 camera without problem both early morning and evening.

People are usually very nice in letting them being photographed, more so than in other places in South America like Peru where they want money in exchange. Go to San Telmo, there are plenty of markets around there and snap away, ask permission if you want to get close.