Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina

1. Taxis en el Centro

Avoid overpriced taxis in the city center by using radio-dispatched services or apps like SitioBus.

Fixed Prices: Radio-dispatched taxis have fixed prices from the airport to various destinations.
Apps for Safety: Using apps like SitioBus ensures a safer and more reliable service.
Avoid Unofficial Taxis: Avoid taxis without the city logo on the roof or unmarked cars.

Stay safe and enjoy tours by taking official buses for city sightseeing.

Official Bus Tours: Tourist offices or travel agencies offer these services.
Professional Guides: Get detailed information from trained and knowledgeable guides.
Scheduled Stops: Official buses have scheduled stops for tourist attractions.

Avoid food from street vendors that look suspicious or have no customers.

Busy Vendors: Choose vendors with a steady stream of customers.
Clean Environment: Ensure the food preparation area is clean and well-organized.
Professional Appearance: Vendors wearing uniforms or working in a hygienic environment are more reliable.

Buy art only from reputable galleries or artists' studios.

Legitimate Art Galleries: Look for well-known art galleries in the city.
Artist Studios: Visit artists' studios to purchase original work.
Certificates of Authenticity: Ensure the art you buy comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Book hotels in Jesus Maria through trusted travel websites or agencies.

Trusted Travel Websites: Use Booking.com, Expedia, or similar sites to book your hotel.
Agency Recommendations: Travel agencies can provide trustworthy options in the area.
Location and Reputation: Choose hotels with good reviews and central locations.

Avoid restaurants without customers in the San Martín neighborhood.

Avoid exchanging money on the street. Use a bank or authorized exchange offices instead.

Authorized Exchange Offices: Look for offices with official signs and licenses.
Bank Services: Banks offer exchange services as well.
Secure Environment: Ensure a secure and safe environment for your money exchange.

Buy souvenirs only from reputable shops in city markets.

Trusted Shops: Choose well-known and established shops.
Certificates of Authenticity: Ensure souvenirs come with a certificate of authenticity.
Reasonable Prices: Compare prices with other shops in the market.

Avoid purchasing goods from street vendors without proper licensing.

Proper Licensing: Check for vendor licenses and official permits.
Secure Payment Methods: Choose vendors that accept secure payment methods.
Customer Reviews: Read customer reviews about the vendor before making a purchase.

Avoid street jobs such as surveys or mystery shopping offers.

Legitimate Job Offers: Check for official job advertisements or offers from reputable companies.
Identification Requirements: Legitimate job offers will require identification documents.
Payment Methods: Ensure payment methods are secure and legitimate.

Attend traditional festivals at official venues to avoid ticket scams.

Official Venues: Look for events at public squares, cultural centers, or city-sponsored venues.
Advance Ticket Sales: Purchase tickets in advance to avoid ticket scams.
Reputable Ticket Agencies: Buy tickets through official agencies or the festival's website.

Book guided tours through reputable travel agencies or tourism offices.

Trusted Travel Agencies: Use Booking.com, Expedia, or similar sites to book your guided tour.
Agency Recommendations: Travel agencies can provide trustworthy options in the area.
Guided Tour Reputation: Choose tours with good reviews and central locations.

Buy electronics from reputable stores or authorized dealers.

Authorized Dealers: Look for stores with official signs and licenses.
Warranty Services: Ensure the store offers warranty services for products.
Customer Reviews: Read customer reviews about the store before making a purchase.

Visit tourist attractions in Parque Sarmiento only through official channels.

Official Channels: Look for attractions with official signs or through the park's information center.
Guided Tours: Book guided tours for a more informative and enjoyable experience.
Safety Measures: Ensure the attraction has safety measures in place.

Avoid restaurants without customers in the Alvear neighborhood.