Health and Safety
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Despite the public’s vocal opinion of their country’s economic and political unrest, Argentina is one of the safest countries in all of Latin America. Tourism numbers continue to rise every year and the majority of visitors leave Argentina and its capital, Buenos Aires, without any bad experiences.
Dangers & Annoyances
Buenos Aires
Argentina’s capital, the largest city in the country, is made up of 13 million people and, like any big city, has its fair share of crime, though often the crime is petty and non-life threatening.
One of the biggest dangers found in the city and the rest of Argentina, is traffic. Cars, buses, motorcycles, and buses often drive at high speeds among the highways, city streets, and even residential areas, making vehicle and pedestrian accidents common. So be careful when walking or crossing streets in the city or if you rent a car, take all precautions, especially when driving on highways.
Petty crime is also common and mostly occurs at night or in areas where there is not a lot of people or vehicle traffic. Being mugged, having your wallet or purse stolen are the most common forms of crime and can often be avoided by not walking alone late at night, not walking down empty streets, leaving expensive jewellery at home, and by paying attention to your surroundings at all times.
The Retiro Bus Station is worth mentioning for theft purposes; make sure to keep an eye on all of your bags, your purse and wallet when you are arriving or departing from the station. Thieves are very quick and with the station always being so crowded, it is easy for thieves to grab your stuff and get lost in the crowd.
Women should be aware that this is a very macho country and men love to look at woman, often muttering flirtatious words or even shouting to get their attention. The majority is meant to be a compliment and is not harmful, however, it is best for women to ignore these comments, dress like the locals to keep attention at a low, and not walk alone at night.
The rest of the country…
Argentina really is a very safe country, especially out of the big cities. By keeping your wits about you, paying attention to your surroundings, and exercising regular caution, you can travel this beautiful country without ever having to worry about a bad experience.
Health
For the most part, the medical system is pretty good in Argentina. It is preferable to go to a private hospital or clinic, don’t worry about the cost as your travel insurance (a must!) will cover these visits, instead of a public hospital. However, if you need to see a doctor and there are no private clinics around or nearby, do go to a public hospital. Remember to file an insurance claim and keep any receipts of payments made for your insurance company in order to recover costs. If you cannot speak Spanish, if possible, try to bring a dictionary with you, however most often you will find doctors can speak at least some English.
Argentina requires no vaccinations to enter. However, being a foreigner to any country means being exposed to foreign bacteria or elements which could be problematic and it is recommendable that visitors get a vaccine for yellow fever, hepatitis A, and typhoid. These are all common vaccines and can be taken at your local travel clinic.
Smoking is still alive and kicking in Argentina; there are still plenty of businesses, restaurants, bars, theatres, and other public places that allow smoking and Argentines take advantage of it, so prepare yourselves.
Water is safe to drink in most big cities and some smaller cities. Make sure to ask at a hotel or a tourism office in the city before you drink the water there.
Heat stroke can occur when traveling in the north of the country during summer when temperatures can be excessively high. Be sure to always drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and protective sun wear, and try not to stay in direct sun for long periods of time.
Food and drink in a foreign stomach can sometimes cause problems that affect visitors and not locals. Make sure to take some stomach settlers, diarrhea medications, and constipation medication in the event that you become sick. If you become ill with stomach pains, fever, and muscle soreness for more than a couple days, head to a local hospital or clinic and get checked by a doctor.
It is always a good idea before traveling to any foreign country to make an appointment with your doctor for a full physical exam. This way, any health issues or possible health issues can be discussed and resolved before you leave your own country. Again, Argentina’s health system is more than reliable and if you happen to find yourself in a health related issue over here, you will be fully taken care of.
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