Based on some great tips that many visitors have posted in various threads, I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread to discuss ways to make sure your budget in EZE goes as far as possible.

I will get this started, but urge all visitors and the other forum regulars to add their pointers & experiences…. And let’s try to keep this thread updated!!!

- avoiding tourist traps - restaurants
Perhaps the best known and most widely recommended Tourist Trap in this category is the (in)famous Cabaña Las Lilas. It is clearly no. 1 in terms of overpriced, and food/service is consistently inconsistent. You have to be very lucky (and go super early on an off day) to get good service… prices are highway robbery for Argentine standards.

Cross examine your hotel concierge when they make a restaurant recommendation. Ask them how touristy a place is…. Ask them about a local alternative. Be prepared to venture outside of Recoleta and Puerto Madero. Remember that some concierge desks receive commissions for each table they reserve, so there will be times where there are ulterior motives for a recommendation.

Another well know tourist trap is Piegari. In general, the establishments located at or near La Recova do not offer value for money.

- location location location – where to shop
Another way to save $$$ is to make sure you shop for your gifts, souvenirs and curios at the right places. For goods that may be found elsewhere, try to avoid shopping at the gift shops that are located at or near the tourist destinations…. Examples of this are the stores at and near Caminito (La Boca) that sell things like wine and clothing items. While it’s clear that some of the specific souvenirs and merchandise will only be found on location…. Other things are available at “normal locations” where the local folk shop… and you will save a bundle. Also, do not rule out the large shopping centers, as they cater to locals and visitors, so pricing cannot be too far off the real market value…

- no marked prices…? – think twice (and beware of the currency switcharoo)
Beware of places that do not have clearly marked prices and make sure you don’t pay Dollars for a Peso price. In Argentina, $ stands for Pesos, while USD or U$S or US$ should be used to denote US Dollars. Most places that don’t have prices clearly marked may attempt to modify prices when they identify you as a visitor… use common sense to see if you are getting taken to the cleaners… when in doubt, if possible do some comparison shopping and also ask for a discount (see payments & discounts section for details).

- forms of payment and discounts
While credit cards are widely accepted, some stores may offer you discounts depending on your choice of form of payment. Cash payment may yield you discounts of between 5-10% depending on the type of store and the specific article purchased. Also, it may be advantageous for you to pay in Dollars and receive a special exchange rate, some stores will offer you an implicit discount of 5-10% by improving the exchange rate vs. what you would obtain at an Exchange Bureau or Bank.

Please note that some stores do not offer discounts, so while it’s OK to politely ask for a break in price, do not assume that you will always get a break on the listed price. This will depend from store to store and also on other issues like what you purchase, and if the store is owner operated or not. Many times, employees have no say in pricing and insisting on discounts will take you nowhere.

One common misconception is that cash payments will mean the merchant is “saving” 21% VAT on the full purchase amount and is therefore able to extend a 21% discount. Please note that VAT does not work this way. This does not mean that a 20% discount is impossible, but as posted about it will depend on what you are buying.