Changing currency in Buenos Aires
Aug 15, 2019, 7:04 pm
#31
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We are heading down at the end of the month -- what is my best approach?
I have a Schwab card that will let me pull out of local machines (and re-pay the fee) and can also bring some quantity of hard US dollars. Trying to figure out the best approach (will be there for 6 days/night with stops in Bariloche and Mendoza for skiing/wine tasting)
I have a Schwab card that will let me pull out of local machines (and re-pay the fee) and can also bring some quantity of hard US dollars. Trying to figure out the best approach (will be there for 6 days/night with stops in Bariloche and Mendoza for skiing/wine tasting)
Aug 17, 2019, 4:43 am
#32
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
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Don’t forget there is the Banco Nación Branch at EZE, where you can exchange your Dollars, Euros and Sterling for Pesos.
Aug 21, 2019, 4:24 pm
#33
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I was just there for a week. I took out 12,000 pesos from the ATMs and didn't even need half of that amount. I was able to use my visa and mastercard everywhere though in BA many merchants will ask for ID (and would not accept photocopies). So I really only used cash for restaurant tips and taxis. Both are dirt cheap by US standards so not much cash needed. And you can mostly rely on Uber around BA.
Aug 22, 2019, 2:48 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
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I never carry my passport with me if I don't absolutely have to. On the rare occasion I'm asked for ID, I just show my driver's license. This is really just a bureaucratic formality that pops up sometimes in Latin America, but 99% of the time, the person asking for ID doesn't really care what you present. They just want to note down a number to tick off a box. If it looks official and has your picture on it, you're fine.
Aug 22, 2019, 2:54 pm
#35
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I never carry my passport with me if I don't absolutely have to. On the rare occasion I'm asked for ID, I just show my driver's license. This is really just a bureaucratic formality that pops up sometimes in Latin America, but 99% of the time, the person asking for ID doesn't really care what you present. They just want to note down a number to tick off a box. If it looks official and has your picture on it, you're fine.
Aug 23, 2019, 1:10 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 759
Argentine law requires merchants to check the buyer's identity when processing credit and debit card payments. This is usually enforced in larger stores (supermarkets, retail, etc.) and very rarely in restaurants. They don't really need a specific type of ID (the law doesn't state it) -- anything that is government-issued, is written using the Roman alphabet and has a picture on it will do.
Aug 24, 2019, 11:24 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,473
For visitors, the bottom line is that regardless of who wins Argentina will continue to be a very attractive tourist destination as the value for anybody doing their math in hard currency will be very attractive.
Last edited by Gaucho100K; Aug 25, 2019 at 6:35 pm