Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin Argentina. Argentina is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Fri, 10 Jul 2026
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now7 districts
Is Ushuaia safe? 🇦🇷
Argentina · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Ushuaia scores 74/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Ushuaia remains one of Argentina's safer destinations for visitors, with low violent crime and no recent security incidents reported. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Ushuaia 🇦🇷
Argentina · Assessed 18 October 2026
74
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime64/100FairCrime index 63.0 / 100
Sentiment82/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability69Fair
Health81Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:47:50Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Argentina: exercise normal security precautions (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-14T07:08:08.0765576-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
57k residents
90
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
4.5 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Argentina4.5World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
69
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare; isolated incidents may occur near the bus terminal after dark
Pickpocketing
ModerateBag-snatching and pickpocketing occur in crowded areas like the port and Avenida San Martín during peak tourist hours
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent visitor reports indicate most feel safe during daylight hours in central areas, though some express caution after dark due to limited street lighting and sparse foot traffic.
Yes. Ushuaia remains one of Argentina's safer destinations for visitors, with low violent crime and no recent security incidents reported.
The city benefits from low homicide and violent crime rates, though pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded tourist zones like the port and Avenida San Martín during peak hours. Visitor sentiment is generally positive during daylight, with caution advised after dark due to limited lighting and sparse foot traffic in some areas. Official advisories from the US, UK, and Canada all recommend exercising normal precautions.
Recent developments
- May 2026Argentinian tourism hotspot denies causing hantavirus outbreak— BBC
- Aug 2026Ushuaia tourism board rejects claims it is 'hantavirus ground zero'— Cruise Trade News
- May 2026Rare hantavirus strain raises concern after cruise ship cases linked to Patagonia travel— Argentina Reports
Common scams
- informal money changers offering attractive rates but short-changing or passing counterfeit notes
- taxi and transport overcharging
- accommodation and restaurant billing scams
Full briefing
Ushuaia’s small size and remote location contribute to its overall safety, with violent crime remaining rare and no recent security incidents affecting visitors. The primary risks are petty theft in high-traffic zones such as the port, Avenida San Martín, and bus terminals, especially during peak tourist hours when crowds provide cover for pickpocketing and bag-snatching. While daylight hours in central districts are considered very safe by most travelers, some report feeling less secure after dark due to uneven street lighting and lower foot traffic in residential and elevated neighborhoods.
Scams targeting tourists are documented but not widespread; the most serious involve informal money changers who use rigged math or counterfeit pesos, as well as occasional overcharging by taxis and misleading billing in restaurants or accommodations. Visitors are advised to exchange currency only at reputable casas de cambio or use cards, to keep valuables out of sight in crowded areas, and to avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit or isolated zones. Official travel advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada all recommend exercising normal precautions, reflecting the city’s low crime environment relative to the rest of Argentina. Weather-related risks, including sudden wind shifts and temperature drops, remain a greater concern than criminal activity for most visitors.
Was this Ushuaia, Argentina report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Ushuaia districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Ushuaia safety map.
Puerto (port area)cautionWhere cruise ships dock and tours depart; generally safe but watch belongings in crowded areas during peak tourist hours due to pickpocketing risk.
Zonas elevadas (higher elevation residential)cautionHigher elevation residential areas with great views; safe but steeper walks and fewer people around, especially in winter.
Zonas cercanas al aeropuerto (airport vicinity)cautionAreas near airport and industrial zones; generally safe but less pedestrian-friendly and more isolated after business hours.
Terminal de ómnibus (bus terminal)cautionMugging and armed robbery are rare; isolated incidents may occur near the bus terminal after dark.
Centro (downtown)saferHeart of Ushuaia with tourist police, shops, restaurants and hotels; very safe day and night with good lighting and regular foot traffic.
Bahía (waterfront)saferScenic waterfront areas with restaurants and viewpoints; safe but can be windy and deserted in winter months.
Barrios residenciales (residential neighborhoods)saferQuiet residential areas where locals live; very safe but fewer services and can be poorly lit at night.
07 · After Dark
Is Ushuaia safe at night?
48% of people in Argentina say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2016).
Mugging and armed robbery are rare; isolated incidents may occur near the bus terminal after dark
After dark, be most careful around Puerto (port area), Zonas elevadas (higher elevation residential), Zonas cercanas al aeropuerto (airport vicinity), Terminal de ómnibus (bus terminal). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Ushuaia safety FAQ (2026)
Is Ushuaia safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Ushuaia remains one of Argentina's safer destinations for visitors, with low violent crime and no recent security incidents reported. The city benefits from low homicide and violent crime rates, though pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded tourist zones like the port and Avenida San Martín during peak hours. Visitor sentiment is generally positive during daylight, with caution advised after dark due to limited lighting and sparse foot traffic in some areas. Official advisories from the US, UK, and Canada all recommend exercising normal precautions. (Assessed 18 October 2026.)
Is Ushuaia safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Ushuaia report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Ushuaia should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Ushuaia (2026)?
- informal money changers offering attractive rates but short-changing or passing counterfeit notes
- taxi and transport overcharging
- accommodation and restaurant billing scams
How does Ushuaia compare with other places in Argentina (2026)?
Ushuaia ranks #4 of 9 Argentina destinations we've assessed, scoring 74/100. See the Argentina safety overview for the full list.
How is this ushuaia safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More Argentina reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: ushuaia.json (CC BY 4.0).