Welcome to Argentina! The home of the Argentinian Peso (ARS).

The Argentinian currency is very unstable. Here you'll find some Do's and Don't's about getting pesos safely in Buenos Aires.

First of all, let's go we de Dont's. Don’t change your local money to Argentinian pesos in your home country. The Argentina currency fluctuates hard during days, and the ARS (argentinian peso) exchange rate differs massively between argentina and the rest of the world, so you probably lose value if you get your pesos back home. Also, as a rule of thumb, never get your pesos at an ATM in Argentina, exchange rates are not favorable and the fees are also very high, so avoid using ATMs if possible.

Now, let's see some of the best things you can do to be able to get pesos:

1. Exchange office

If your local currency is US Dollar (USD) or Euro (EUR), then you are lucky. Also, currencies such as the British Pound (GBP), Swiss Francs (CHF), New Zealand dollar (NZD), and others are possible to exchange into the Argentina currency the peso.

There are enough exchange offices available in Buenos Aires. Always take your passport with you when you’re going to the exchange bureau. It’s used that the exchange bureau will only accept banknotes higher than 20 USD or 20 Euro. Changing coins is not possible. Withdrawing money here is not available. Read the article for the best exchange office: “The best places to change your money in Argentinian peso, Dollar and Euro”

I listed all the best places to change your money. Read the extra article

Tips when you go to the exchange office (Casas de Cambio in Spanish)

Don’t change immediately all your money. Are you staying longer than 3 weeks? Then change it by every 100 USD or EUR. In other Argentinian cities, you will find exchange bureaus.

Don’t accept any extra fee or commission at the exchange bureaus. This is illegal by Argentinian law.

A rate that is 10 ARS under the current rate is acceptable. For example, the actual interbank rate is 841 ARS for 1 US dollar. If you can get 835 ARS for 1 US dollar, that’s ok. Go to some different exchange bureaus and compare them. You get the best rate during bank office hours. Check the current interbank rates on xe.com. Here are the best places to change your money.

2. Calle Florida: The Dollar Blue

Not afraid of some negotiation? Then go to the pedestrian street “Calle Florida” near the president’s house (Casa Rosada or Pink House in English). When you walk down the street you will hear people saying “Cambio, cambio”. These people work for a bigger boss.

Exchanging dollars and euros is possible. Be in a strong position to negotiate. Don’t take the first one, but play them against each other. Once you accept a rate after negotiation they will guide you to a small office somewhere located near the street Florida.

It’s possible, that once you arrive in the office, they start to negotiate again. Keep with the rate that they said outside. If not, just go outside again.

3. Credit card

Paying with a credit card (Mastercard and Visa) is widely accepted in the city and safe to use. Restaurants, bars, and supermarkets mostly accept your credit card for any amount. By April 1st, 2018 all stores have to accept card payment by the law, but often small kiosks, the bakery or newspaper stores around the corner don’t.

Before going to a restaurant always ask if they accept your credit card or check the window for any signs.

Since December 2022, you can pay with your credit card at the tourist exchange rate which is close to the Dollar Blue rate that you get on Calle Florida. However, take into account that touristic activities such as tango shows, bike tours, … will charge you in USD or Argentine peso at the MEP rate. Most of those companies have an international payment terminal to charge you in USD. Because of course, companies want to have USD and not ARS. And then you don’t make any profit with that new rule.

More info about credit card payments here

4. Top-up credit card

There are debit Mastercard- or Visa cards available such as Revolut. It is a top-up debit card. Revolut, for example, uses the interbank rate that fluctuates during the day without any fee. A good way for travelers and residents without an Argentinian bank account. Check out more on their website.

Paying tours or other events

The difference between the official exchange rate and the black exchange rate is of course not unknown to tourist companies such as tours, shows, etc.

You can certainly pay in Argentine pesos at the cash register, but you will regularly be asked to pay this at the black exchange rate. For example, a ticket will cost you $50. Initially, you would think that you have to pay 5,000 ARS. So 25 USD if you exchanged your money on the black market. But they will then ask to pay 10,000 ARS at the black exchange rate.

So you don’t actually make a profit on this.

You will make a profit on restaurant visits, government museums and local shops. I have noticed that gift shops have increased the prices in Argentine pesos so that you actually continue to pay the same in USD.

Extra tip!

Have some cash with you. I mentioned that stores have to accept credit/debit card payments by law, however, not every store is happy with it. Also when a store accepts card payments, it’s common that they will make a difference between paying cash or with a card. They will put two prices on the price tag. One in cash (cheaper) and one for card payments.