Tourist scams in Argentina — and how to avoid them
These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Argentina, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Πώς λειτουργεί: A stranger 'accidentally' sprays or drops a sauce, cream or 'bird droppings' on you, then a friendly accomplice rushes to help clean it off — and while you are distracted and embarrassed, they or a partner lift your wallet, phone or bag.
Πώς να το αποφύγετε: If you are suddenly splashed with something, do not stop and do not let strangers touch you or your bags. Keep walking to a safe spot, hold your belongings tight, and clean up yourself. Politely but firmly refuse all offers of help.
Taxi overcharging and bill-swap
Πώς λειτουργεί: Some street taxis use rigged fast meters, take long routes, or 'drive to an ATM'. In a common variation, you pay with a large note and the driver quickly swaps it for a counterfeit or smaller note, then claims you paid with a fake or too little.
Πώς να το αποφύγετε: Use a booked radio taxi or an app (Uber, Cabify, DiDi) so the route and fare are tracked. Know roughly what the ride should cost, watch the meter, and pay with smaller notes while stating the amount out loud so there is no room for a swap.
Street money-changer short-changing
Πώς λειτουργεί: Touts on Florida street and elsewhere shout 'cambio, cambio' and offer attractive rates, then short-change you, use rigged calculators, or hand over counterfeit peso notes in a fast, confusing count.
Πώς να το αποφύγετε: Change money at a reputable casa de cambio, your hotel, or via widely-used trusted services rather than with street 'arbolitos'. Count notes carefully before handing over your dollars, and learn what genuine peso notes look and feel like.
Motochorro bag-snatching
Πώς λειτουργεί: Thieves on motorbikes ride up beside pedestrians or slow traffic and snatch phones, bags or jewellery before speeding off, sometimes grabbing a phone straight out of your hand at a cafe table or through a car window.
Πώς να το αποφύγετε: Do not walk along the kerb using your phone or wearing an obvious bag on your street-side shoulder. Keep phones away from the road, sit inside rather than at exposed pavement tables with valuables out, and keep car windows up and bags out of sight in traffic.
Counterfeit peso notes
Πώς λειτουργεί: In change from taxis, kiosks or informal exchanges you can be handed fake peso bills, or a genuine note is swapped for a fake and returned to you as 'no good' so you hand over another.
Πώς να το αποφύγετε: Check the feel and the security features of large notes, be wary of notes handed back to you as 'fake', and prefer card payments or apps where possible. Paying with smaller denominations reduces the risk in the first place.