Is Palermo in  Buenos Aires safe?

/ Buenos Aires, Safety

With more than 16 km2 Palermo is the biggest neighbourhood in Buenos Aires city. There are two areas within Palermo, Palermo Viejo and Palermo Chico. 

Because this area is so busy with hundreds of people and tourists going to restaurants and bars, shopping or visiting the many parks and attractions, Palermo is top of the list of robberies and thefts in 2019. 

Due to this number, the local government has taken measures that reduced the robberies by 29% in 2021. Some measures include: 

  • The development of a unified and centralised crime report system to collect data of dangerous zones 
  • The creation of more efficient safety policies 
  • 11,000 cameras linked to the Urban Monitoring Center, to have the city under video surveillance  
  • The formation of a City police Department that includes around 50 police stations around the city 

The local government has also launched an interactive city map, where neighbours and tourists alike can check the criminality rate by areas, you can find it here:  mapa.seguridadciudad.gob.ar 

  Source: mapa.seguridadciudad.gob.ar

Is Palermo safe at night?

Like any other busy areas within a city, Palermo is no exception, robberies can happen, especially at the weekends. According to official sources night time, between 20hs to 5hs, has the highest percent of crime. 

Source: mapa.seguridadciudad.gob.ar

Is it safe to eat out in Palermo, Buenos Aires?

Yes, of course. You should definitely enjoy the city at night but, like visiting any other city, be careful with your belongings. If you don’t feel walking at night, then you can always take a taxi or an Uber to and from the restaurant of your choice.   

Is public transport safe in Palermo? 

Due to the amount of people living, working or visiting the city, Palermo has a huge public transport network. From my experience, it’s safe to take any means of transport, but you have to remember to look after your belongings and avoid rush hour traffic if you want to keep safe. 

When visiting the city you can take: 

The metro (also called “subte”): there are 6 lines and 85 stops connecting the neighbourhoods in the city. The service starts at 5am and finishes at 11pm. It’s advisable to avoid rush hours since it’ll be extremely difficult to get on. 

Buses (also called “colectivos”): These are a very popular form of transport but it’s also advisable to avoid taking them during rush hours. The fee is between 18 and 22 ARS. 

The use of a face mask is a requirement to take any public transport. 

Source Wikipedia

To pay for your bus or metro ticket it’s advisable to get a SUBE card (Sistema Único de Boleto Electrónico). You can get this card in any kiosk  around the city and top it up there too. The cost to get the card is 90 ARS. 

Taxis: Yellow and black taxis are around the city at all hours, they’re very safe to take especially at night. You can also download an app (like Uber) to facilitate getting a ride late at night. 

Source: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Safest places to visit in Palermo Buenos Aires

When visiting or staying in Palermo you will see that there are many city police officers walking around the neighbourhoods. 

Most areas in Palermo feel relatively safe compared to the rest of Buenos Aires. 

Places to avoid in Palermo

According to the interactive map it’s better to be more careful around main avenues and busy streets. You should remember that when travelling around the city you should always mind your belongings, try to use your phone in safe places and avoid using it in crowded streets.   

It’s very common that when eating out and sitting at a table outside, people will approach you and try to sell you things or beg for money or food. If you feel uncomfortable, just be polite and simply say “No, disculpa” and don’t engage with them. They will go away. 

If you want to avoid this situation, make sure you book a table inside a restaurant or ask for available tables inside. 

You shouldn’t walk alone in empty streets that you don’t know at night, try to stick to streets that have bars, restaurants or shops. 

Safety precautions visiting Palermo 

When visiting a big neighbourhood like Palermo, you should:

  • Keep only the essentials you are going to use, for example a wallet with money for the day but if you are paying with a debit/credit card in some shops they might ask for your ID (driver’s licence should be fine) and the hotel room keys. 
  • Download a map of the city to use it offline
  • If you are going shopping you can bring a bag to keep all your stuff together in one place and avoid using a plastic one
  • Avoid keeping important objects in easy access pockets in your bag. 
  • Find coffee shops or restaurants if you need wifi, the city does not provide free internet connection.
  • If you need help, ask people on the street, or find the nearest kiosk or newsagent’s and they will definitely help you out!  
  • Use a face mask if you are taking public transport
  • Find the nearest police station or a police officer in case of emergency. 
  • Use an ATM from inside a bank during the day, you shouldn’t withdraw money at night. 
  • If you are in a café, restaurant or bar, you shouldn’t leave your things (like phones, wallets or laptops) alone on the table.

Here’s a map of all the police stations in the city: 

Source: mapa.seguiridadciudad.go.ar

In case of emergency in Palermo you can call these numbers: 

  • 100 Bomberos / Firefighters
  • 911 Emergencias / Emergencies and it’s the Police Department phone line
  • 107 SAME Emergencias / Emergencies, accidents and ambulances 

Is Palermo safe for women travellers solo? 

Palermo is relatively safe for female solo travellers, the city is full of foreigners coming from Brazil, USA and other European countries like Spain, making it easier to meet people and connect with others. 

Like any other person travelling solo, you should be careful with your belongings and avoid walking alone late at night. 

For women travelling solo there are many options like joining a coworking, staying in a well located hipster hostel or going on group tours with others. 

Is Palermo safe to travel with children?

If you’re planning to visit Palermo with your children it should be fine. Take the regular precautions you always do with children. 

Some precautions to have in mind: 

  • Dress in layers, the weather can be very changeable. 
  • Bring enough for the day out and avoid bringing electronic devices for your children. 
  • In case you need to bring an Ipad or another electronic device,  make sure they are well packed in your bag. 

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