Newcomer What is the recommended amount of cash to bring for my stay in Buenos Aires?

[dreikm]

For our upcoming trip, my wife and I will spend three days in Buenos Aires and two days in the Argentinian Patagonia with a tour group. The package includes two dinners and two tours (a city tour and a visit to a gaucho ranch). We have approximately half of our time free to explore. We plan to purchase a few dinners, visit a museum, and buy some souvenirs. Could you please advise on how much cash we should bring, either in Pesos or the equivalent in US dollars?

 

[jamir]

The optimal approach is to bring fresh US dollars and exchange them in the Blue Market for the most favorable rate. It is advisable not to carry Pesos.

 

[Melibaires]

The highest rate can be obtained by bringing 100-dollar bills that are as new as possible and in flawless condition.

 

[Travis]

The response is that it's impossible to provide an accurate answer without knowing the specific expenditures, as costs can vary widely (for instance, a dinner for two could range from 20,000 pesos to over 200,000 pesos).

Credit cards are widely accepted and offer favorable exchange rates, making them a preferable option over carrying large amounts of pesos.

In our initial two weeks here, we've used US$100 (100,000 pesos). However, it's important to note that inflation is rampant, so it's not advisable to exchange a significant amount of US dollars for Argentine pesos. As an example, yesterday we received 120,000 pesos for US$100, reflecting a 20% difference in just two weeks.

We utilized the pesos for tips, minor purchases (such as drinks at kiosks), and a few taxi rides.

 

[Traveler]

I recommend checking the Visa exchange rate before your departure. If it closely aligns with the blue dollar rate, then relying on credit cards for most transactions is a wise choice. It's important to note that credit card rates can be approximately 10% higher than cash rates, in addition to the actual exchange fee. However, carrying a couple of hundred bucks in cash is advisable for convenience, especially for purchases in street markets, snacks, or transportation like taxis or Uber.

In Argentina, restaurant meals are generally 40-50% cheaper than in the US. Consider bringing half of what you'd typically spend on meals in the US, plus a bit extra. Souvenirs can vary greatly in price, and while they can be as expensive as in the US, it's a good idea to decide on a budget in dollars for souvenirs and bring at least half of that amount in cash to be on the safe side.