This personal account was originally written in 2016 for an earlier website. It has been edited for clarity, with historical prices kept in context. It describes one frightening experience, not every taxi driver or every visit to Argentina.
A warning before arrival
On an overnight flight from Dallas to Buenos Aires, I spoke with the Boeing 777 captain about our visit. He warned us about taxi cash-switching scams. I listened, but I was still thinking more about the trip ahead than about arranging our airport transfer.
Jen and I had been awake for more than 22 hours by the time we cleared the airport. We passed long lines for car services and chose a taxi outside. Someone helped us reach a cab and asked for a tip; we gave him two U.S. dollars and set off.
The ride changed near the hotel
During the drive I photographed the 100-peso notes I was carrying, remembering the captain’s warning. At first the conversation with the driver seemed friendly, although our Spanish and his English were limited.
Near the hotel, he quoted 550 pesos and I prepared 700. Those are amounts from 2016, not current fares. He stopped about a block away, saying he could not drive down the one-way street.
When I handed over the money, his manner changed. He began shouting rapidly in Spanish, grabbed additional cash from my hand and sorted the notes while arguing about the money and a bank. We could not follow everything he was saying.
Getting out became the priority
Jen opened an envelope in her purse, hoping that offering more money would let us leave. The driver reached for it too. Amid the shouting, he handled and switched notes before returning part of the cash. We were frightened and wanted to get ourselves and our bags out of the car.
Once outside, he acted as though nothing had happened. We took our luggage and made our way to the hotel. The front-desk staff helped us, and we finally had space to breathe and understand what had just occurred.
I estimated that we had lost about U.S. $200 worth of pesos at the time. We were unharmed, but the experience left us shaken. The emotional effect mattered more than the amount.
The rest of the visit was different
After an uncomfortable first night, we moved to another hotel in an area where we felt more at ease. I was a regional-airline first officer then, so the difference in cost mattered. We found an option near the Four Seasons rather than staying at the Four Seasons itself.
The following days were much better. We met kind people and enjoyed Buenos Aires. That part of the trip belongs in the story too; one driver’s actions did not represent everyone we encountered.
What changed in our travel planning
I now plan arrival transport before a tiring overnight journey, keep essential documents and valuables within reach, and avoid displaying a large amount of cash while paying.
For current guidance, check the FCDO’s Argentina safety information. It advises pre-booking taxis where possible and using identifiable radio taxis when taking one on the street. In a threatening situation, prioritize personal safety over money; this story is not advice to confront or chase a driver.
