Last Minute Currency Question

[dani28]

So, I am finally leaving tommorrow and I have a question regarding whether or not to exchange some currency prior to leaving, or whether I should exchange at all:

Should I exchange my cash in USD into AR pesos at the airport in Miami? Wait till I get to Buenos Aires? Is it still primarily only the more tourist-targeted places that accept USD and if so, I am better off paying in AR pesos anyways? (My landlord has asked that I pay my rent in USD)

I am only planning to bring about $1,100 in cash on me, and for the rest use my debit/credit card.

Thanks in advance.

 

[glasgowjohn]

You probably will not get a decent rate in MIA.

When you arrive in Buneos Aires, you should change at the BANCO DE LA NACION , which is just outside the arrivals hall . They give the best rates at the airport.

 

[tez]

I say don't exchange, keep your dollars, and use your ATM to get pesos. That is if you can afford to hold onto those dollars for rent and use other money for daily expenses... Either way the ATM will give you the best rate, but remember you will get charged ATM fees unless you have the beautiful and wonderful Charles Schwab card. An extra USD $ gets tagged on on the Argentina side, as well.

Honestly don't know what I would do without Schwab...

 

[fred mertz]

ATM machines don't dispense U.S. dollars. You'll have to get pesos from the bank machine and then go to a money exchange office to get dollars. sounds like a lose-lose situation. Every time you withdraw money from a bank machine, you'll be charged I think it's about US4.25 per withdrawl, reardless of the amount. Welcome to Buenos Aires.

 

[Caz]

I find sending yourself money here via Western Union works pretty well - the last time I did it I think they said they could hand out up to about $US 7000 in actual US currency - so just before I came here as well as carrying about 10k US on me I also sent about 7k here which was waiting for me on arrival. The exchange rate is actually quite good now and I can't help thinking this is always a good option...