Changing currency in Buenos Aires
 

Dont try and buy Pesos in europe . No one gives you a good rate . The GBP rate is 45/46 at the moment when you pay by credit card.

Brbg Dollars or Euros as GBP can be difficult to exchnage in Bs As.

Not sure what the situation is at the crusie terminal .

US dollar is king over here, while euros can also be exchanged quite easily. Pounds not likely except at the large bureaux de change in the financial district. As per its website, Banco Piano (one of the largest) is now selling GBP at 46.3 pesos, but their website doesn't show the buy rate.

There is a bureau de change at the cruise terminal but I'm guessing the rates will be quite bad, just like at airports. Not sure if it will be open on a Sunday, though. ATM/cashpoints are available pretty much everywhere throughout the city, including the cruise terminal. You could withdraw some pocket money from the ATM on Sunday and then proceed to the bureau de change on Monday morning.

Today, about $34.50 per dollar. When you arrive in a month's time...who knows?!

In a month time, you check this site: Mercados - Ambito.com

Heading to BA next week. Can I pay taxi with US dollars or credit card and just change money after I get to city at the bureau de change in the city?

You can pay for your fixed price taxi into the city with a credit card. Use one of the booths just past customs inspection (you will pass through a door) but before you pass through the next door. There will be several to choose from.

Thanks Eastbay1K

Back in the day, Banco de la Nacion at EZE airport used to have the best and safest exchange rates with pretty much guarantee that you will not get fake pesos. Is that not the case any more?

The simple fact now is that without a meaningful Dolar Blue, the ATMs (if you're not subject to fees or have them reimbursed) give approximately the same rate.

The best rates i've ever seen were in tourism agencies (with no currency signs) around Florida street, sometimes they mask for old coins shop. But you need to ask in Spanish (ask every man who is shouting «Cambio») and do some research about today's rate brackets (sell/buy). USD 100 & 50 bills are more expensive than smaller ones.

And even changing small amount right on the street was not a problem (no fake bills, etc.), except lower rate (agreed beforehand) after 6 pm or on weekends. ATM rate (not counting extortionate local fees), i.e. pure MasterCard USD/ARS 0% fee rate could be the same, but sometimes up to 5-6% worse (than for cash).

Another good reference is exchange rates in for Encarnación and CDE in Paraguay, not legally bound to Argentine laws.

Verified last time June 2018.

I'm flying into EZE in a few days. What will be the best way to obtain Pesos: trade crisp US dollar notes or use an ATM? Where?

If you need csh at the airport Banco Nacion is the best option . location described in post a ove your own.

Are there ATMs at EZE and AEP that will accept USA cards? That is my preferred method of exchange.

Yes there are but you should be aware of withdrawal limits and fees at ATMs in thread. More info on this thread

There are ATMs at both airports. Keep in mind that ATMs in Argentina tend to charge high fees - this doesn't bother me, as I have a Schwab debit card that reimburses me at the end of the month, but it should be noted for those who don't.

That said, I'd recommend bringing a couple of hundred USD in cash, just in case. Sometimes the ATMs don't work; sometimes they're out of cash... I actually have had more problems with the machines at EZE than I have with random bank branch ATMs located on city streets. Probably because the airport ATMs are used a lot by people stocking up on pesos when arriving in the country, and the banks don't fill them enough.

Thanks, I have a Fidelity card and Chase PB card that rebate all fees and charges 0% forex. However I may skip the airport l ATMs due to the local withdrawal limits.

And yes, I was once advised to carry USD $1000 because "that can get you out of any situation." I don't actually carry $1k, but I like to travel with a few $100 bills which I normally keep in the hotel safe.

When I was there two months ago my hotel, the Park Hyatt, wouldn't change US Dollars into Pesos but they would allow you to do a cash advance. I walked two blocks away to the Alvear Palace Hotel who had no trouble changing my greenbacks for the local.

How is the rate at the hotels compared to the formal rate?

Hotel rates usually apply a hefty spread, especially at times like this when the Peso is in the middle of a bloodbath. Depending on how much cash you need to trade, its probably not worth investing a lot of time from your vacation on getting the best possible rate, but that is a very personal decision. Going to one of the official exchange bureaus will get you a better rate.

I have found that ATM rates sometimes take a couple of days to catch up. This happened to me when the Brexit vote results were announced - I took out cash the next day but was still charged the older rate. YMMV.

Visa rate now is 56.198182 Yesterday was $45-something.

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 usually bring a few hundred USD but primarily charge whatever I'm able (restaurants, hotel, remis). I try not to go overboard on the cash exchange because I don't want ARS lingering after a trip. Even if I know that I'll be back within a few months, it's pretty risky to have too much ARS on hand. I really only use ARS for taxis and small purchases with fair vendors, mini-marts, etc. It's really not that hard to get USD exchanged for ARS throughout the cities, so no need to exchange a huge amount at one time. Plus, the amount I exchange is tiny so I don't lose any sleep over not getting the absolute best rate.

I would just keep a couple of days local currency on hand, and at least enough to get you out of any "jam" where some businesses credit card machine is "temporarily not available." I'd expect things to be relatively stable until the next election day, i.e., no cash freezes, no 33% devaluations in a day, etc. But then, who knows. I've still got a handful of $44 pesos to spend when I get there next time. Fortunately, not too many.

What dates are you in Buenos Aires....?

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.

My USA passport card has worked for me as ID in such situations. I don't like to carry the passport book if it's not required.

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.

Normally I would carry my drivers license but in BA and Rio I was advised to leave my wallet in the safe and just carry a money clip with cash and a couple of credit cards. I had no trouble using my California DL when asked for ID in Buenos Aires. But maybe it is time to start carrying my passport card - which can also be used to meet the TSA 2020 real ID requirements.

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.

Election is on the 27th October but if a run off is required a further vote will be held on the 24th November. Winner needs a either 45% of overall vote or 40% if 10% above nearest rival in the first vote.