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FOR YOUR SAFETY IN BUENOS AIRES

​Like any big city, it’s best to be prepared and look after your personal belongings in public spaces.

  • Keep your handbag, purse, laptop and luggage in general where you can see them, whether on public transport, in airports and bus terminals, or restaurants.  In restaurants, keep your purse on your lap, and don’t put it on the floor or hang it over the back of the chair. 

  • Don’t leave your phone on the table when eating in restaurants or bars; always make sure it‘s out of sight when you’re not using it. 

  • ​We'd like to inform you that in order to use the simultaneous interpretation equipment, you'll have to show your ID or passport. Please make sure you have it with you on the conference days.

  • Don’t wear expensive-looking jewelry or watches, and make sure cameras, cell phones and other electronic devices such as iPads and tablets are kept out of sight as much as possible. 

  • Avoid using your phone in public as much as possible, either when on the street or in public transport. 

  • Be aware of the people around you, and avoid being distracted by anything that could make it easy for pick-pockets to steal something. 

There are tricks that local pick-pockets may try and use to distract you, such as the “mustard” misdirection trick. This is a pincer approach involving two people: one distracts the victim by offering to help them clean some dirt off their jacket, or asking them the time, bumping into them, etc., while the other one skillfully extracts their wallet, phone or purse.

MONEY

  • Don’t take large sums of money with you. Use cash points that are in public places. 

  • Try to pay with the right amount of change, which avoids getting counterfeit notes in return. 

  • Check the notes you get by holding them up against the light to see the watermark depicting the features of a former president and his initials and the silver-colored security thread. When you hold it up against the light, the thread appears black and is over-printed. If it’s a counterfeit bill, the thread will be spotted in appearance. 

  • When you pay your taxi driver, watch their hands at all times to make sure they are not using sleight of hand to exchange a real note for a counterfeit one to make you think it was you who gave them a counterfeit note. Try to pay with the exact amount whenever possible, avoiding the use of large notes that require a lot of change. 

  • Carry your bag or rucksack in front of your body so you can rest your hand on it, especially in crowded areas.

  • Don’t visit places you don’t know, especially at night.

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CHANGING MONEY

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  • Most hotels, large stores and restaurants accept payment with international credit cards, e-wallets and debit cards. Smaller stores tend to prefer cash. The legal tender throughout Argentina is the Argentine peso. You can change money at foreign exchange centers or houses as well as at banks, by presenting an identity document. 

  • Don’t change money on the street, as it’s illegal, you’re very exposed and you’re likely to get counterfeit notes in return.

  • The exchange rate in Argentina is in a constant state of flux: check the exchange rate before changing any money. A good source is https://dolarhoy.com/

TRANSPORT

Airports
Most international flights arrive at the Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini in the locality of Ezeiza (EZE) in the province of Buenos Aires. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get into town from the airport.
Most regional and local flights land at the downtown airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery although some international flights also land here as well.

When transferring from the airport to the city, you can take the following:

  • Tienda León minibus, which has a number of pre-set stops on its way downtown.

  • Transport apps such as Cabify or Uber

  • Cabs. These services can be hired in the Arrivals Hall at the airport. There are different options to choose from on the official airport website.


Taxis

There are lots of black-and-yellow taxis in Buenos Aires, which you can flag down in the street, usually in the right-hand lane. When they’re free, there’s a little red light on in the windshield.
 

Buses and the subway
To use public transport such as buses and the subway, you have to get a SUBE travel card, available from subway stations, tourism centers and a number of kiosks (these are small drug stores which open directly onto the street). You can charge your card at the charging totem on the ground floor of the UBA Law Faculty where the conference is being held. 

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Train

Taking the train is an option for longer journeys into the province of Buenos Aires, and the SUBE travel card is also used instead of buying tickets. 
 

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