How to get a measly $100 USD!

[Lulu-Kyoko]

Hi everyone,

I've been in Buenos Aires now for about a month and sadly I didn't do a lot of research before arriving, in particular on the currency situation here. I'm Canadian though so I don't normally stockpile USD$ and I also tend to rely on my debit or Visa when travelling (= less fees and less money lost because it is only a single exchange).

And so. I am trying to get a visa for a trip to Paraguay, but the consulate wants $100 USD in cash. Where am I supposed to get this money from? Am I really expected to use the black market, i.e., contact one of those people on Florida? And is my only other option to go to Colonia? Are there not any "normal" exchange places to use?

Sorry if these questions seem so silly! Thanks a lot though.

 

[fuccolini]

get screwed at the atm machine, take out 600 pesos and buy U$100 from an arbolito. about U$140 from your account should cover it

 

[Lulu-Kyoko]

Ha! So it is 18 pesos at the machine, $5 in extra CDN banks fees per transaction, and then another $40 USD? Still, how do I go about doing this? I just approach anyone of them? And then what?

 

[fuccolini]

yeah because you will need 600$ (which after atm fees, your bank international fee, official exchange rate from bank etc is about U$140) to buy U$100. yeah those cambio guys will give you more or less that rate. no idea about BsAs but in mendoza you need $590 to buy a hundred dollars

 

[Crema Americana]

I'd be wary about using one of those shady characters on the street... be careful of fake bills. There are "cuevas" you can buy from (a search on the forum will bring up plenty of threads), but from what I've been hearing most aren't taking on any new customers.

Do you have any Argentine friends or coworkers that can buy through AFIP and aren't using their monthly limit? For such a small amount it might be feasible.

 

[davonz]

I may be able to help you if you cant change anywhere else..

You can contact me here:

http://58.28.154.195/contact_us/

 

[Lulu-Kyoko]

Thanks Eclair. I'm not that comfortable with the arbolitos-- my Spanish is only so-so and the process reminds me of a sketchy drug deal. I'm here doing research at the archives, so I don't know anyone that well and I don't have any coworkers.

Oh well, I've never been to Uruguay, so it will be a bit of an adventure (I hope).

 

[PhilipDT]

If you can paypal me 110 USD(for the hassle, I'm really not going to make any money here) and don't mind meeting me somewhere of my convenience I can give you $100. Send me a PM.