Arriving in Buenos Aires
 

I have a couple of questions.

I'm arriving around 1:25 to EZE on Christmas Eve. Am I going to be able to change money at one of the banks at the airport? Or will they be closed by the time I get through customs?

Secondly, will the radio taxis be servicing the airport at that hour? If I'm in a bind, would they accept US$?

Rita

I departed EZE last December 25. Although it wasn't at a late hour, airport ops were normal. I'm sure the booths will be well-manned for taxi service. Also, consider using an ATM at the airport if you are concerned about limited/no open banks.

Arriving at EZE
 

The Banco Nacion it`s open 24hrs, 365 days a year. Actually has the best exchange rate, even better that what you would find in town.
It`s located on the right side, outside of the Custom's area.
I would suggest you that you hire a private car at Tienda Leon for a safer ride to town. It´s also located right outside Custom`s. It cost something around $AR 70 to any donwtown location. They take US currency as well, but it´s better if you exchange at the bank at the airport since next day will be a holiday and you won`t find to many open places to exchange money in town. And as I said you will get a good exchange rate there.
The exchange rate it`s around 1$US = $AR 3,06.
Have a nice stay in Argentina!

There are 3-4 other car services in addition to Tienda Leon. I took a random one where there was no queue that charged 60-something pesos. A cab is about 50 pesos. I think that I only paid 45 plus tip on the way back. The car services of course take credit cards. There is an ATM there as well. This is not the third world.... :)

Good advise! We had a radio taxi from EZE ... very old lousy car ... had to fill gas during the trip. Take Tienda Leon or any other company .. there are three next to each other.
You may try an ATM. There are at least three at EZE:
One in the "old" terminal - was not working
Two in the newer terminal, one was not working, one from HSBC (?) was working.

The best place to change dollars is before you exit the customs hall. The aforementioned bank has a window INSIDE, which usually has no lines, and saves you from wading through all the "exchange" kiosks outside of customs.

When you see an automatic door just after customs, look to your right (before exiting), and you'll see the bank. They'll ask for your passport. I think rates today are 3.04-3.05 to the dollar. Always ask for a number of small bills, so you don't have to try and get change from Taxi's, or get stuck with some fake bills.

I usually get 200-300 pesos in 2, 5, 10 and 20 note denominations.

Personally, I just use the 58 or 59 peso taxi booth just past all the kiosks trying to charge you 70-90 pesos for the same thing. Includes all toll fees, as well. I've never had a problem taking these taxis. If you need the luxury of a private car, fine, but I don't find it necessary.

Have fun in Argentina! I hope you like good steak! My favorite buffet: Gourmet Porteno in Puerto Madero (25p for lunch, weekdays), or Marini Gourmet on Santa Fe, 23 pesos for lunch, all soft drinks/water included.

Some excellent advice from Jaimito Cartero and JMartinn above !!

Thank you for your kind responses, jmartinn and Jaimito Cartero. I had visions of everything being closed when we arrived.

Incidentally for those who know my sister's currently in BsAs, and has been there for 2 weeks already, I want you to know what she said in an email to me yesterday: "I love this place."

And she's travelled all over the world all her life. I can't wait to join her. If there were anyone who could watch my dogs between now and the 24th, I could leave tomorrow. I'll just have to be patient.

Rita

Beware of an exchange booth called Global Exchange
 

Global Exchange is an Exchange Booth you can find at most airports in Argentina, including three to five booths in EZE.

They will rip you off. They are currently paying something like AR$2.60 per USD when BANCO NACION pays $3.06 per USD.

As noted above by fellow FTs, always change at BANCO NACION which is at your right just after crossing the custom X-Ray machines but before crossing the automatic doors. It has a big blue sign stating BANCO NACION.

Please avoid geting ripped off and spend your money on something nice for you and your family.

ATMs are also fine.

For a TAXI ride to the town center I'll also recomend TAXI EZEIZA which is 30% cheaper than Tienda Leon or the others inside, before exiting to the public area of the airport. You can find TAXI EZEIZA at 1 o'clock after crossing the second automatic door; in the public area. Do not use taxis offered by persons not in a booth. Although 99% of the cars used by TAXI EZEIZA are new, be advised you can have bad luck and get an old car. This doen't happen often, but could happen. If you are going to spend USD200+ per hotel night, take Tienda Leon :).

Have a nice trip to Buenos Aires, and if you liked it, recommend it!

Good points made by Leandro, Ive also heard only good reviews of the Taxi Ezeiza as of late, they seem to be a good option to Manuel Tienda Leon.

Taxi's and Madrid
 

This is the booth I was speaking of a few weeks back. 58 pesos including tolls. Never a problem!

I was just in Madrid, and noticed many similar things to BA (1pm lunch start time, etc). However, the 30 Euros for lesser quality Lomo does *not* interest me! ;)

Yes, some areas like Barrio Norte look a lot like varios areas of Madrid.... of course, pricing advantage still goes to EZE although in the seafood department, its hard to compete with the Madrilenios.... ^

I think we got $AR 3,10 per 1$US at Banco Nacion. Just before we did our travelling companion (another friend of my sister's who'd been to BsAs before) was in line at the official change booth inside the Customs area... which was only offering $AR 2,60 per 1$US. So definitely go to Banco Nacion!

Rita

Currency exchange in the baggage claim area there is highway robbery. If there's a second person in line doing forex, I always tell them they'd get a better deal at the bank right past customs or using the ATM machine there. A c. 18% hit is just awful.

It's the same in U.S. airports too. Upon going through C&I, the exchange at DFW's terminal D was offering AR$2,60 per USD. I just held onto my excess currency and went to my local bank after arriving home. :)