Safest cities in Argentina
34 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in ArgentinaTerrorist attacks in Argentina cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Political protestsPolitical demonstrations and picketing are more common in Argentina than in the UK. Some demonstrations attract large numbers of people, and they can occasionally turn violent. Demonstrations are particularly common near Congress (‘Congreso’) and the Presidential Palace (‘Casa Rosada’).
- DemonstrationsGroups of demonstrators (‘piqueteros’) sometimes block major roads at times of social unrest. These can include the major routes into and out of Buenos Aires City. This can cause significant delays.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsThieves and pickpockets operate on public transport and at bus and train terminals.
- Street crime and scamsIn crowded places, thieves can cut handbags open. They can snatch a mobile phone while you are using it on the street. Thieves on motorbikes can snatch bags from pedestrians.
- Violent crimeArmed robberies are a risk. If you are the victim of a robbery, hand over your cash and valuables without resistance.
- Criminal kidnappingKidnappings including ‘express kidnappings’ – short-term opportunistic abductions – occasionally happen in Argentina. Victims of express kidnap are held and forced to empty their bank accounts by making bank transfers or going to ATMs, after which they are normally quickly released. Be aware of your surroundings and always let someone you trust…
- Drink and food spiking and scamsDrinks and food can be spiked and could put you at risk of robbery or assault. Do not leave drinks unattended in bars and restaurants and do not accept food or drink from strangers.
Laws and cultural differences
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDo not become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. Possession of even very small quantities can lead to a lengthy prison sentence.
- LGBT+ travellersArgentine society is open and diverse. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is rare. Same-sex marriage is legal. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
- Legal action against oil and gas companiesThe government of Argentina has stated that it intends to pursue legal action against oil and gas companies engaged in hydrocarbon exploration in the Falkland Islands. If you’re travelling to Argentina and think you may be affected by this type of legal action, seek independent legal advice.
- SurrogacyBefore you consider a surrogacy arrangement in Argentina, consider the challenges and risks involved, and make sure you seek specialist independent legal advice both in the UK and in Argentina. For more information, read FCDO guidance on surrogacy overseas.
Outdoor activities and adventure tourism
- If you take part in extreme or adventure sports, including paragliding, climbing, off-road driving and hot air ballooning, make sure:
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Argentina, see information on driving abroad.
- TaxisBook taxis in advance if possible. If you hail a taxi in the street, only use a ‘radio taxi’. These have a clearly visible logo on the car doors.
- Air travelFlights from Argentina can be unreliable. Check for delays or cancellations before travelling to the airport.
- Sea travelActivist groups sometimes try to disrupt UK-flagged ships or commercial shipping working off the Falkland Islands. Contact the local authorities before travelling. Most cruise ships and visiting tourists should not be affected.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- FloodingMany northern provinces experience occasional flooding. This can disrupt transport and could lead to shortages. Flash floods can occur during heavy rains, in provinces including Buenos Aires. Monitor local media and follow instructions given by the local authorities.
- EarthquakesThere is a risk of earthquakes in Argentina, particularly in the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, Salta and Jujuy. Monitor media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Volcanic eruptionsThe Copahue Volcano on the Argentina-Chile border erupts occasionally, and the authorities will evacuate the area. If you’re travelling to this area, monitor local media reports and follow the advice of the local authorities.
- WildfiresWildfires can occur throughout Argentina and can spread rapidly. They may lead to road closures and affect the air quality in nearby areas.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Argentina, updated 2026-05-07 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 3.94 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 42.42024
- Human development
- HDI 0.8652023
- Income
- $31,920/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 14.1 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 63/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 53/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 36/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 3.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.79GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 14.3 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 5.1 doctors /1k3.4 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 0 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Flood
- 7.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 5.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Earthquake
- 5.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Argentina (as of 2025).
How Argentina compares
| Measure | Argentina | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.9 /100k | 2.4 /100k | +1.6 /100k — better for World median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 42.4 | 35.2 | +7.2 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.865 | 0.763 | +0.102 — better for Argentina |
| Road deaths | 14.1 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −1.3 /100k — better for Argentina |
| Rule of law | 53/100 | 52/100 | +1/100 — better for Argentina |
| Corruption perceptions | 36/100 | 39/100 | −3/100 — better for World median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 14.3 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −5.4 µg/m³ — better for Argentina |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.9/10 | 3.8/10 | +0.1/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Argentina | South America median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 3.9 /100k | 11 /100k | −7.3 /100k — better for Argentina |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 42.4 | 44.2 | −1.8 — better for Argentina |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.865 | 0.777 | +0.088 — better for Argentina |
| Road deaths | 14.1 /100k | 16.0 /100k | −1.9 /100k — better for Argentina |
| Rule of law | 53/100 | 48/100 | +5/100 — better for Argentina |
| Corruption perceptions | 36/100 | 35/100 | +1/100 — better for Argentina |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 14.3 µg/m³ | 18.4 µg/m³ | −4.1 µg/m³ — better for Argentina |
| Natural-hazard risk | 3.9/10 | 4.7/10 | −0.8/10 — better for Argentina |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 34 cities, safest first
- Resistencia72.6 · #3108 worldwide
- Corrientes72.6 · #3109 worldwide
- Salta70.4 · #3351 worldwide
- Buenos Aires68.5 · #3586 worldwide
- Formosa68.5 · #3587 worldwide
- Santiago del Estero68.2 · #3620 worldwide
- Río Cuarto67.7 · #3748 worldwide
- Bahía Blanca66.8 · #3788 worldwide
- Cordoba66.3 · #3829 worldwide
- San Juan65.3 · #3960 worldwide
- Posadas65.3 · #3961 worldwide
- San Salvador de Jujuy65.3 · #3962 worldwide
- La Rioja65.3 · #3963 worldwide
- San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca65.3 · #3964 worldwide
- San Luis65.3 · #3965 worldwide
- Comodoro Rivadavia65.3 · #3966 worldwide
- San Nicolás de los Arroyos65.3 · #3967 worldwide
- Concordia65.3 · #3968 worldwide
- Río Gallegos65.3 · #3969 worldwide
- San Rafael65.3 · #3970 worldwide
- Santa Rosa65.3 · #3971 worldwide
- Tandil65.3 · #3972 worldwide
- San Carlos de Bariloche65.3 · #3973 worldwide
- Villa Mercedes65.3 · #3974 worldwide
- Reconquista65.3 · #3975 worldwide
- Trelew65.3 · #3976 worldwide
- Mendoza65.0 · #3983 worldwide
- Mar del Plata63.9 · #4080 worldwide
- La Plata63.4 · #4192 worldwide
- Neuquén62.4 · #4248 worldwide
- San Miguel de Tucumán60.8 · #4363 worldwide
- Santa Fe58.0 · #4587 worldwide
- Paraná58.0 · #4588 worldwide
- Rosario53.1 · #5011 worldwide