Where/how to get dolar blue exchange rate?
Dec 6, 2013, 12:55 am
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 704
Well,thats what hapends when petty crime is acepted,on the other hand its natural for petty crime to be acepted when the political system is more or less based on grand crime. Its a law of nature and so, unfortunately unavoidable!!
Dec 10, 2013, 9:44 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Glob; AA ExPlat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 317
I was there in March; went to this place on Arenales between Libertad and Talcahuano. I believe it had a "Jewelry" sign in front and no display, white window glass. Ring the bell and they will let you in. Very professional and not shady at all. Went there twice during my trip, and got 7.8 to 1.Exchanged over $1000 USD. The 78+ $100ARS bills I received were all legit, none were ever questioned when used. The shady sounding touts on Florida were offering 7/7.5 to 1 at the time; it can get a little overwhelming on Florida when you are getting mob by guys calling out "cambio cambio"...
Dec 14, 2013, 3:22 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Any blu rate exchanger in el calafate, argentina?
I won't be in BAaires, but will be in El Calafate for ten days or so. Is there a chance I could exchange my dollars to pesos with the blue rate? Where should I try to do the exchange? Any potential problems/risks doing the exchange in El Calafate? Would appreciate any advice and tips on this issue. Thanks.
Dec 14, 2013, 10:49 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Glob; AA ExPlat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 317
Much harder in El Calafate as it is a resort town catered to foreign tourist. Cool thing was I was able to change my ARS (which I got for 7.5:1USD in BA) back to USD at a guest house in El Calafate at 5.5ARS:1USD. This was back in March. My suggestion is to visit a travel agency office as ask for "Cambio". I had decent success doing that when I was in Iguazu.
Dec 17, 2013, 2:17 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 312
Just got back from a week in BA. Our first hotel, in Palermo, directed us to a storefront a few blocks away that gave us the blue rate and crisp new bills.
A few days later, our hotel in San Telmo would not make any suggestions. We went down to Florida Street and found the many people calling out "cambio, cambio". We stood and watched for a while and saw multiple people exchange money on the street. At one point, a federal police officer went up to talk to the people doing the exchanging, then walked away. We did a small exchange at a good rate (better than the storefront) with no problems.
I certainly had mixed feelings about the whole thing.
A few days later, our hotel in San Telmo would not make any suggestions. We went down to Florida Street and found the many people calling out "cambio, cambio". We stood and watched for a while and saw multiple people exchange money on the street. At one point, a federal police officer went up to talk to the people doing the exchanging, then walked away. We did a small exchange at a good rate (better than the storefront) with no problems.
I certainly had mixed feelings about the whole thing.
Dec 21, 2013, 7:25 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 919
In Punta del Este this week, I was low on Argentine pesos prior to my departure for BsAs. Went to a cambio and rec'd 9.2 pesos to the dollar. Not a great rate, but certainly not bad.
Dec 22, 2013, 6:22 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Marriott Plat, Amex Plat
Posts: 106
Shopkeepers have been offering me 10:1 for purchases in USD (change in pesos).
I received 9:1 through an acquaintance who delivered it to our rental apartment (obviating the need to walk around with big stacks of cash).
I received 9:1 through an acquaintance who delivered it to our rental apartment (obviating the need to walk around with big stacks of cash).
Dec 22, 2013, 11:19 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
For those recently spending US$ in shops/restaurants, did the merchants want larger notes? Did they inspect them carefully? Or did it not matter whether you were using $1s, $20s or $100s?
Dec 23, 2013, 1:55 am
#24
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
Merchants will take notes of most all denominations, if they are in decent shape.
Dec 23, 2013, 5:50 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
For the few purchases we made with US$ they didn't give them a second look as they were very accustomed to the currency, still always ask first. As of today I've been quoted 9.5 on the lower part of Calle Florida and 9.2 on the northern part. Stores seem to do 9:1 and hotels 8.5:1. That is as of today, and I'm sure its variable.
Dec 23, 2013, 8:41 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Aeroplan 50K, Marriott Plat, Amex Plat
Posts: 106
I was short of pesos today so I dropped by Florida as well (between lines B and D on the subte.
I changed 300 in total. In each case at one of the shops that flank the street.
I received 9.5 when I bought something and 9 . 3 when I did not.
I used 3 crisp 100 USD bills. The most expensive thing I purchased was a 9 dollar wallet.
I did not consider using any of the street dealers.
Everyone was quite open about it after I broke the ice. "Hola. I would like to buy something but I only have a 100 USD bill, what exchange will you give me?"
I changed 300 in total. In each case at one of the shops that flank the street.
I received 9.5 when I bought something and 9 . 3 when I did not.
I used 3 crisp 100 USD bills. The most expensive thing I purchased was a 9 dollar wallet.
I did not consider using any of the street dealers.
Everyone was quite open about it after I broke the ice. "Hola. I would like to buy something but I only have a 100 USD bill, what exchange will you give me?"
Jan 2, 2014, 9:50 am
#27
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,690
We traded twice on calle Florida at 9.7 per usd. No issues, no fake bills.
Jan 2, 2014, 1:46 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: UA Silver/Marriott Gold/Hilton Gold
Posts: 540
Is it possible to get USD out of the ATMs down there?
The reason I ask is cause I'm spending 2 days in Mexico City before hand and don't want to be carrying around tons of cash. If not, could I get USD at the Mexico City airport before flying down?
The reason I ask is cause I'm spending 2 days in Mexico City before hand and don't want to be carrying around tons of cash. If not, could I get USD at the Mexico City airport before flying down?
Jan 2, 2014, 2:09 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
You will not be able to get US$ at an ATM here, and in fact, from no source other than a (approx) 10 to 1 source. You should be able to get USD at MEX at an unfavorable exchange rate, but it should still be worthwhile.
Jan 2, 2014, 3:35 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Yeah. It's really crazy. I just came back from 2 weeks there, and the peso devalued from 9 to 10 in that time frame. I feel bad for the Argentinians who work hard and don't get their salaries re-adjusted every week. They won't be able to travel.