How to Avoid Pickpockets In Buenos Aires

When travelling alone or in a big city. There is always the threat of pick-pocketing ruining your whole day or your whole holiday. Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital city is known to have an ongoing issue with pickpockets. Buenos is a huge city. It has a population of over 2.9 million people.  According to government travel advice websites, there are frequent warnings of petty street crime being a common occurrence in the city. In a bustling city like Buenos Aires where your sense will be overstimulated, a petty street crime such as pickpocketing can happen in the blink of an eye. Especially when your guard is down.       

If data is to be believed, the majority of tourists who have been to the city have been robbed at least once or experienced a close shave where it could have been a totally different ending. The most shocking part is that thieves in Buenos Aries are plentiful and they are unbelievably good at their role of stealing.

Being aware of these facts will enable you to be vigilant and to quickly recognise and avoid any situation that may be detrimental to your safety.

Pick-pockets in Buenos Aires take advantage of the bustling nature of the city and use it to successfully operate in crowded areas such as markets, buses, and trains. These places are perfect places for pickpockets to strike and steal from someone without them even realising. Just to give you an insight into their pickpocketing techniques. Most of the time they carry a jacket or a newspaper with them so that they can cover one arm and conceal what they are doing to others. This gives you an insight into how quick and effective they are if you do not take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

A lot of people think that they will never get their stuff stolen. But it usually happens to those that never saw it coming. Unfortunately, those type of people are the perfect targets for pickpockets. When travelling to a new city or new country. It is very easy to be distracted and for your attention to be diverted elsewhere. But it is important to have in the back of your mind that pickpockets may be zoning in on you. We have been travelling for a number of years and we have been victim of pickpockets ourselves so we wanted to share with you the top tips that have helped us stay safe and keep our belonging safe and protected from pickpockets in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

If you are preparing to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina very soon or thinking of going. Make sure you take some notes from this article as I believe the tips here will save you and your possessions and prevent you from being a victim of pickpocketing or tourism fraud out there. Below are the tips. Enjoy:-

1) Speak Out Loud

It’s a useful practice of taxi drivers in the city to change the bill denomination you give them for instance 100 bills would be claimed as a 10 bill or a 50 to be 5 bill. To avoid such kind of scenarios either you can speak out loud the amount you give to the driver or try to give the exact amount.

If the driver is stubborn, call the police for assistance.

2) Don’t Seek Strangers’ Help

In case anyone approaches you offering help, or giving you some lucrative offers, deny instantly and stay away from them. If the person seems innocent, maintain distance while communicating with strangers here. 

Also, make sure you apply this rule of avoiding strangers to anyone because pickpockets are known to use children to steal from tourists.  A lot of people assume that pickpockets are mostly young men, but pickpockets can also be the elderly, women, and children. Although children are cute and endearing, don’t fall for this strategy because pickpockets are well aware of pulling the right heartstrings in order to make the tourist not vigilant in their behavior.     

It is a very powerful strategy used often by pickpockets to hijack your attention through emotion and once they have your attention, you will hardly notice that they are stealing from you.

If you do need help for directions or anything like that, make sure to ask someone in a shop, a tour guide, hotel, or information point and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

In summary. If you do not know them and they approach you for anything, just ignore and keep walking, because the minute you engage, that is the same minute you will find yourself in a pickpockets trap.  

3) Avoid Bumping Into People

In order for a pick-pocket to be successful, they have to be in very close proximity to you. It is a crime that is up close and personal. It cannot be done from a distance. So in order to steal from you, they will do everything and anything to get very close to you even if it is for a second because that’s how much little time they need to successfully steal from you. In order to get close to you to steal they will often bump into their target. Sometimes, it will be done multiple times to a target from different people so it doesn’t cause any suspicion. This strategy is effective in very crowded areas and train stations as this activity can happen often and very quickly.

If you find yourself approaching a very crowded bar, restaurant or area be attentive because people intentionally bump into you so they can steal from you. If you are carrying things with you make sure to put your stuff in a sturdy anti-theft bag so you can walk freely in crowded areas without worrying about getting your stuff stolen. The anti-theft bag’s design makes it impossible for pickpockets to gain access so even if you get bumped into, their efforts of trying to steal from you will fail.

4) Don't Use Cell Phones on the Street While Walking

It is advisable to avoid using a cell phone on the street because you will be an easy target for the criminal locals of the city. If you are not careful, they will simply grab it and run away into narrow streets. Even if you decide to run after them, you will lose track of them as they will know their area a lot better than you. So to prevent it from happening in the first place, try to take a call in a safe place such as a hotel or restaurant. Also, a lot of pickpockets are now using a technique where the pickpocket speeds on a motorbike and takes your phone out of your hand and speeds off where you will have no hopes of catching them. This is very common not just in Buenos Aires, but in other major cities around the World. This is because pickpockets are well aware that most people are addicted to their phones will be caught off guard when someone grabs their phone. To protect yourself, make sure you don’t take calls in public and also don’t walk around with your phone. These are very simple tips, but you would be so surprised the at the number of travellers that walk around with their phones out unknowingly advertising it to thieves.

Keep your phone secure and hidden as much as you can and only take it out if you believe it is safe to do so.

5) Distribute Your Money in Your Apparels

While traveling in a crowded place make sure to carry your anti-theft backpack. This will enable you to get rid of any paranoia or worry when you go into very crowded areas in Buenos Aires. The High Spirit anti-theft bag actually gives you peace of mind. You will be safe in the knowledge that no pickpocket (it doesn’t matter how skilled they may be) can gain access to your bag. By having your anti-theft bag with you it gives you a central point at which you can get your stuff in an organised and secure way.

If you want to further ensure that your belongings are safe, you can spread your money into different pockets in your bag, jeans, or top. You can be as creative as you want with your storage options. You may want to use every single pocket available to you, so if someone does steal from your pocket. At least they haven’t taken all of your money in one go.

You can take it a step further and use the same strategy in storing your belongings in your hotel or hostel room. Try not to put all your valuables in one place. Distribute its storage to give yourself peace of mind.

Another tip to outsmart pickpockets is to chain your wallet with a belt loop or carry an empty wallet with a minimal amount of cash or coins. You want to think one-step ahead of pickpockets in order to ensure that they don’t succeed in trying to steal from you.

6) Be Extra Careful At Café Bars

Even though the cafe’s in Buenos Aires is quite safe, thieves in the city may still target areas and establishments where tourists will be relaxing. Usually, tourists will be distracted by eating, drinking, and surfing the internet and their guard may be down. This temporary loss in vigilance will make it the perfect opportunity for a pickpocket to grab your laptop, phone, or iPad and runoff. This happens mostly due to the fact that the target has been watched from the moment they entered. In most cases, the thief will be watching from a discreet distance. Make sure you keep your handbag or backpack in your lap or in between your legs so it won’t be easy for them to grab. Alternatively, you can clip the strap with something under the table or table leg to remove any chance of a grab and run event happening to you.     

Also, avoid sitting outside the cafe, and while sitting inside choose a quiet corner so that it is hard to snatch and runoff.    

Final Piece of Advice

The best way to keep your belongings safe in this city is to carry minimal things while on a sightseeing spree. Don’t carry too much cash, credit cards, or ID’s when leaving your accommodation. Only take the necessary things with you as you explore the city. If you have to carry these things with you, such as your camera, or phone, laptop, etc. Make sure to carry it in your anti-theft bag as it will give you that peace of mind so you can truly enjoy your vacation without feeling like you will be a victim of pickpocketing.

In addition, feel free to print out this blog article and carry it with you to remind yourself while you are in Buenos Aires. We hope you apply our tips and advice. Buenos Aires is truly a beautiful city with so much to offer. We want you to protect yourself so you can enjoy the city to the fullest.

10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When You Travel

Every time you are traveling, you are adding a significant number of gases to the atmosphere, which then leads to the concern of climate change. Air travel is responsible for the most substantial part of your carbon footprint. There are a few things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment. Here is a list of ten ways you can do it while traveling. 

1. Travel Light

Every passenger is guaranteed to have a bag with them, but when each person is bringing more than two luggage on the plane, they are engaging in the problem. The more weight the plane carries, the more fuel the aircraft will need. When packing, think about if you need that item and how much clothes and products you need for your trip. Simplify your packing and try to fit what you need into a backpack with many compartments to make transit easier and to also play your part in reducing your carbon footprint when travelling

2. Take a Direct Flight

The bulk of the plane's carbon emissions is when it is taking off and landing. For this reason, you would be dramatically saving the environment by taking longer and non-stop flights.

3. Fly Economy

If you fly first class or business class, your carbon emissions are at least three times more than if you decide to travel in economy. The seats are smaller, meaning more people can be flown using the same fuel.

4. Purchase Carbon Off-Setting

If you must travel by plane, the smartest thing you can decide to offset the carbon emissions of your travel. A carbon offset is an amount of money you can pay for a project that reduces greenhouse gases somewhere else. If one ton of carbon is offset, one ton of greenhouse gases would be destroyed instead of being released into the atmosphere. There are multiple of offset calculators you can find on the Internet that estimates the carbon emissions of your flight and the amount of money it would need to offset them.

5. Take an Alternative Travel Method

Instead of taking a flight, which would create lots of carbon emission, you can opt to ride a train or the bus. Especially if your flight would have been three hours, an alternative option would be easy to find. By putting fewer cars on the road, there will be a reduced amount of exhaust filling the atmosphere.

6. Walk, Bike, and Use Public Transportation at Final Destination

Traditional cars put out a lot of exhaust, which pollutes the air. You will cut down on gas and save yourself a lot of stress if you don't drive in the new town. Walking and biking will allow you to explore and see more of the city than if you were in a car. It requires much less energy to produce a bike than to manufacturer a car. Also, you will get to exercise your muscles while helping the environment.

7. Consider Traveling to More Eco-Friendly Places

There are many cities and places that are incorporating environmental advances. Consider taking a trip to destinations that are less harmful than others. You will be surprised to know that the most beautiful places can be the greenest. Find out what these destinations could be in our World's Most Eco-Friendly Cities blog article.

8. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

This simple act is something that can be easily forgotten. Try to avoid the single-use of plastics and paper products. If you didn't happen to bring a reusable water bottle, try to purchase one once you are at your destination. If this is not achievable, opt to buy products that are recyclable and that have minimal packaging to minimize excess. Hence, be more mindful of what you are purchasing and find a way you can keep that item out of the landfill. Properly recycle all plastic, paper, and glass that you might come across. Most major cities have recycled compost and bins spread throughout the city.

9. Support Local Markets and Cuisines

The best part about traveling would have to be trying new food. But to partake in reducing carbon emission, try to either buy food from locally sourced and made foods. This all includes plant-based, organic, and unprocessed foods from a local farmer's market. Also, remember to only order what you need and are going to eat to minimize food waste.

10. Save Electricity

When you are leaving for the day, do not forget to turn off all lights and unplug any cords. Turning down the thermostat and water heater would help as well. Not only will you save energy, but you can save money too.

Written By Nhi Nguyen

11 Hacks To Travel Light

Travelling light gives you extra freedom and flexibility that you just don’t have with heavy luggage. You can move quickly through airports and train stations and it’s so much easier to take public transport with a small bag. You’ll save money by not having to check your bags in on a plane and you can keep your luggage close when you’re on trains and buses. You’re also less likely to lose things when you travel light because it’s easier to keep track of your belongings. Below are 11 Hacks To help you to Travel Light. Hope you enjoy them :-)

1. Carry a lightweight case

Use a small suitcase or backpack so you can’t possibly fit too much in it. Don’t be tempted to get a case that’s slightly too big because you will fill that space with unnecessary stuff.

2. Minimise toiletries

If you’re staying in a hotel you can guarantee you’ll be provided with shampoo and shower gel so leave these at home.

3. Pack just 2 pairs of shoes

Shoes can often be the bulkiest items in our bags so never travel with more than 2 pairs. Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and an easy to carry pair in your bag.

4. Use packing cubes

Not only do they keep your bag organised but they help make the most of your space and stop you overpacking. I tend to travel with four packing cubes. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and one for evening clothes. Once each packing cube is full you can’t possibly squish anything else in so you’re forced into packing light whether you like it or not.

5. Wash your clothes while you are travelling

No matter where in the world you’re travelling, it doesn’t need to be expensive to get your clothes washed. Laundrettes and apartments with washing machines will become your best friend if you’re travelling for a few weeks or more.

6. Audio books

Instead of packing heavy books which you will end up finishing and carrying around with you even though they no longer have any use; download a few audio books on your phone or iPad in order to save space and weight.

7. Style properly

Pack clothes that are interchangeable. Ensure you are able to mix and match all pieces of clothing you bring. This is in order to be able to wear ALL clothing as often as you need. This will save you from bringing unnecessary clothing.

8. Dry laundry bar

If you have no access to a washing machine, by bringing a dry laundry bar, you are able to hand wash any pieces of clothing such as socks and underwear and maintain clean and fresh throughout your trip.

9. Roll Roll roll

Roll all your clothes up into burritos in order to save space. By doing this you will able to fit much more in your case that you would if you folded them normally. You will also be able to see everything you packed at a glance by stacking them next to each other, saving you time and frustration.

10. Limit those “just in case” items

We all like to bring items we MIGHT need on our trips, but most of the time will not end up using them. Try to limit those items in order to save space; if you really need an item such as an umbrella, you can always purchase it when you need it.

11. Bottoms at the bottom

Pack your trousers, shorts, etc at the bottom of your case as they are more bulky and can be squashed down by the rest of your items.

By Nicole Fernandez Medina