Exchanging money while visiting Buenos Aires

[Johnny]

I will be there for two weeks. I will have access to credit cards, debit cards and cash. I assume ATM will have a lot of fees. I just do not know who to trust if I do not use a bank.

As mentioned you can bring cash which will help. You can also establish an account with Western Union and discuss with them how to send money to yourself while here (at a very good rate). It is silly to use an ATM or credit cards due to the very poor exchange rate. Just before you arrive or soon after some good soul will point you to a reputable exchange place. Don't worry.

 

[lost]

I have never had an issue with exchanging dollars in the "black" market over the years.

98 vs 184 pesos makes a huge difference. Plus huge ATM fees for foreign cards.

 

[Eheyburn]

American-issue credit cards process transactions at the official rate: $ 97,98 pesos per dollar. The Blue rate is currently $183 pesos per dollar.

That is a huge difference!

 

[Eheyburn]

Western Union is the way to go.
I suggest you begin at the webpage https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/home.html and initiate the transaction from there.

Just don't try to go to a small branch office. Visit the main downtown office at Cordoba and Montevideo.Try to get there before 10:30am on a weekday, and avoid the first three business days of the month. They will give you something very close to the Blue rate.

To pick up the cash you'll need your passport. Also you will be asked for the transaction number, and the amount in pesos; these will be emailed to you, in addition to being given to you when your transaction is confirmed. WU will probably call you the first time or two you use their service.

In addition to paying you slightly less than the Blue rate, they will charge you a fee of 10 USD for the first hundred dollars, and 5 USD for each hundred after that. So $15 fee for 200 bucks, $20 fee for 300 bucks, etc.

Buy and wear a money belt. Put most of your cash away before you leave the window.

Off topic but related-

I would advise you not to bring an expensive new iPhone to Argentina. If you must do so, don't take it out on the street; find a coffee shop to enter and use your phone there. Don't wear an expensive watch or jewelry. Be cautious, but not paranoid; this is Buenos Aires, not Juarez. You will be fine.

If you want a nice hotel downtown for a reasonable price, check out Uno Suites at 1944 Rivadavia. You can get a King Size bed if you ask for it. There's a gym on the top floor, and a sun lounge. Powerful air conditioners, key carded rooms, and nice bathrooms. Just don't drink the free coffee; it's horrible.

UnoSuites

www.unosuites.com

Thank you. I planned to bring my iPhone and iPad. I will rethink. I already booked an airBNB in Palermo.

 

[Aztangogirl]

Unless you are needing big amounts, ATM is good.

Never ever use the ATMs . you get the official rate, not blue. You pay a huge fee and there is a limit on how much you can withdraw.

 

[jblaze5779]

Thank you. I planned to bring my iPhone and iPad. I will rethink. I already booked an airBNB in Palermo.

Bring them. Just don't walk around looking at the ground, or with in your hand flashing it everywhere and you'll be fine.

 

[toongeorges]

What about going to calle Florida and talking to someone who is standing there saying "cambio, cambio"? I have exchanged there in the past without problems. If you want to limit your risk, only carry the money you want to exchange.

 

[Renzi]

I will be there for two weeks. I will have access to credit cards, debit cards and cash. I assume ATM will have a lot of fees. I just do not know who to trust if I do not use a bank.

If you have Paypal you can also wire yourself cash with Xoom and pick it with your passport up at many locations around the city. The fee is around 3-5$ and you get the Blue rate.

Send Money to Argentina - Transfer money online safely and securely | Xoom, a PayPal Service

Send money online to anywhere in Argentina with Xoom. We offer direct deposits to all major banks or your recipients can pick up cash at 14,610 locations.

www.xoom.com

 

[Redpossum]

If you have Paypal you can also wire yourself cash with Xoom and pick it with your passport up at many locations around the city. The fee is around 3-5$ and you get the Blue rate.

Send Money to Argentina - Transfer money online safely and securely | Xoom, a PayPal Service

Send money online to anywhere in Argentina with Xoom. We offer direct deposits to all major banks or your recipients can pick up cash at 14,610 locations.

www.xoom.com

I quit using Xoom three years ago, and perhaps they have improved since then, but my experiences were uniformly negative. They demanded all sorts of paperwork, including bank statements, and they imposed a 3-day delay. With WU, I can do the transaction on my PC and then walk to the office and it's ready.

I like PayPal, but do not care for Xoom.

 

[Stantucker]

In Recoleta, a nice neighborhood, there's a Pago Fácil (where people pay bills) that also changes money at near the blue rate. It's at the corner of Ayacucho and Santa Fe. You walk in and there is one window to pay bills and one for money exchange. It's very quick and easy. I've exchanged there a number of times without any problems.