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[QUOTE=MiamiBob;438433]Peronism can disappear and Argentina can begin to function economically again as it did before paron. The pompas have the capacity to produce great wealth.[/QUOTE]If this country was well run I wouldn't be able to afford to live here.
Disclaimer; tongue in cheek humor, not a shot across the bow.
Today I exchanged $700 at 11.05 P on Florida near Sarmiento.
Walking on Florida, I asked several people, "cuando para $500 (quinientos)." First one offered 10.8, as I got closer to Sarmiento two offered 11. One man told me if I came back later in the afternoon the price would go up, but I didn't have time to wait.
Finally, when I said yes to one exchanger for 11, another dude (the boss or so) just came over and talked, and the exchanger told me they can do 11.05. So I changed $700 and left, good enough for me.
Always possible with my very poor Spanish that I did not understand. But the guy pretty clearly said "no precio". Then I think that he said something like come back later. I asked about 2:30 and he said 3:00. I will let you know.
At the moment the "venta" price on [URL]http://www.dolarblue.net/[/URL] is 11.0600. I always get like 30-40 centavos less than that (although I have not been doing the arithmetic and keeping track). So if Fun Pete got 11.05 he did well.
Bob.
I went this morning around 11 am and I guess I am lucky. Right now at 5 pm, [URL]dolarblue.net[/URL] lists the exchange rate at 10.15 (Compra). I am curious if anyone has purchased in the afternoon and what rate? Last week I got 11.45.
And Buenos Aires Herald writes:
"blue" dollar dropped 65 cents to 10.55 pesos, following an increase in the purchase of greenbacks in the official market with the AFIP tax agency
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/153663/us-dollar-climbs-to-789-pesos-blue-drops-to-1055-pesos
[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove;438441]Always possible with my very poor Spanish that I did not understand. But the guy pretty clearly said "no precio". Then I think that he said something like come back later. I asked about 2:30 and he said 3:00. I will let you know.
At the moment the "venta" price on [URL]http://www.dolarblue.net/[/URL] is 11.0600. I always get like 30-40 centavos less than that (although I have not been doing the arithmetic and keeping track). So if Fun Pete got 11.05 he did well.
Bob.[/QUOTE]
I was shocked when I returned around 4:05 and got only 10 pesos per US dollar. I maybe would have walked away but I was nearly out of pesos and the nearest other place I know about was too far away.
I read the brief article cited by Fun Pete. It said: "The US currency today climbed half a cent to 7.89 pesos at Buenos Aires City banks and exchange offices.
Meanwhile, the so called "blue" dollar dropped 65 cents to 10.55 pesos, following an increase in the purchase of greenbacks in the official market with the AFIP tax agency authorizing new transactions in the beginning of the month.".
I don't get it. How can the dollar go up at banks and down at the blue exchange places?
Bob.
[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove;438444]I was shocked when I returned around 4:05 and got only 10 pesos per US dollar. I maybe would have walked away but I was nearly out of pesos and the nearest other place I know about was too far away.
I read the brief article cited by Fun Pete. It said: "The US currency today climbed half a cent to 7.89 pesos at Buenos Aires City banks and exchange offices.
Meanwhile, the so called "blue" dollar dropped 65 cents to 10.55 pesos, following an increase in the purchase of greenbacks in the official market with the AFIP tax agency authorizing new transactions in the beginning of the month.".
I don't get it. How can the dollar go up at banks and down at the blue exchange places?
Bob.[/QUOTE]Its March. Vacations are over. Demand is DOWN! Its the same every year. It will go back up for the winter recess / vacation time.
The rumour is that the government authorized taking a billion pesos out of circulation.
With less pesos around, the rate is bound to drop.
I got 10.80 today (changing USD600) from my usual office, after being offered 10.45 at the gallery at 100 Florida.
I was told 10.70 on the phone before I left home, but the rate went up in the hour it took me to get there!
[QUOTE=Gandolf50;438445]Its March. Vacations are over. Demand is DOWN! Its the same every year. It will go back up for the winter recess / vacation time.[/QUOTE]But I'm pretty sure it's going to stabilize at 11 for a little and keep slowly climbing until July then shoot up again. It's still around 13 ish to 1 in Uruguay.
DR is right. Don't expect much of a change in the rate for the next weeks. The reason is very simple. Since the government has allowed a limited dollar buying for savers the pressure on the blue rate has lowered. From absolute zero to a 700 limit has changed the market.
They have allowed this (from their dwindling reserves) as they are counting on the retentions on the sale of wheat and soya due in March.
Expect a more or less exchange rate of 11 for the coming weeks. Maybe even some frightening drops to 10 or less but soon the 13/14 rate will be back.
Hey Guys,
I haven't been in BA since last March and will be arriving this weekend.
As its been a while, which cuevas do you guys recommend?
I don't need the best rate, I just want to avoid hassles like getting fake pesos etc...
This article explains in detail what is going on right now at high levels:
[URL]http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-12/argentina-s-malbec-man-showing-yale-economist-how-to-manage-peso.html?cmpid=yhoo[/URL]
Scalabrini Ortiz & Cerviño Today (Wed. Mar. 12th) around 2 pm - 10.50 pesos per US Dollar.
[QUOTE=Erizone;438497]Hey Guys,
I haven't been in BA since last March and will be arriving this weekend.
As its been a while, which cuevas do you guys recommend?
I don't need the best rate, I just want to avoid hassles like getting fake pesos etc...[/QUOTE]Was in BA quite recently and used the Cerviño cueva a couple of times – recommended but it's out in Palermo.
Nearer the centre, for an easy option, Arenales 1245 (between Libertad and Talcahuano) would be my pick. Open Monday – Friday until 17:30. You could walk it from the microcentro or get the 59 bus to Av Santa Fe from 9 de Julio near the obelisco. Ring the bell and wait for the door to open. Small reception area at the front and single counter at the back. They'll call you over when they're ready. Just like going to the bank. They count the pesos in a machine while you watch and even ask how you want them split into batches. Some of these counting machines will detect false notes and I never had a bad one from either of these places, both in safe locations. You might get better rates around Florida / Lavalle (dozens of arbolitos shouting 'cambio cambio') but they'll lead you off somewhere to make the exchange. For me not worth the hassle for a small gain unless it's a weekend or a holiday and you're short. Guys have posted here about specific locations in the microcentro but this is a busy thread and you'd have to work your way back to find the detail.
Last visit to Arenales was just after the long weekend last week when the dollar rate dropped to 10.0. Alongside that, they quoted me 13.5 for euros and 15.0 for pounds sterling. That makes the dollar / euro conversion rate roughly equivalent, sterling less but a lot better than the bank rate. Wished I'd brought more euros with me as I went under budget on this trip and ended up stuck with a lot of US dollars which I'll end up holding or changing back at a loss. But with no recent info on euro conversion rates in this thread I wasn't sure whether I'd get as good a deal. The sterling quote surprised me as I'd asked before at Cerviño on my last trip and they wouldn't change them. Arenales were willing to although I still had dollars left. I wouldn't want to risk relying on changing pounds sterling but it was interesting to know that the option existed in a cueva.
There was a good post about detecting fake notes a while back. For the old 100 peso Roca notes, hold them up to the light, look for the face and the JAR initials underneath, and check that the broken silver line becomes solid. Something very similar for the new Evita note. Apologies for repeating but good information gets swamped in a forum like this.
Arenales 1245 (between Libertad and Talcahuano) Yesterday (Mar. 13th) 10.60 pesos per US dollar.
Also note recent report below by Lucas90 on this place.
AllIWantIsLove.
10.70 today, changing USD200 at the first place I came to on Florida. I was in a hurry!
Exchanged $400 dollars today, March 20, at Arenales 1245 for 10.60 pesos per US dollar.
[QUOTE=AllIWantIsLove;438568]Arenales 1245 (between Libertad and Talcahuano) Yesterday (Mar. 13th) 10.60 pesos per US dollar.
Also note recent report below by Lucas90 on this place.
AllIWantIsLove.[/QUOTE]
Exchanged $500 dollars with a friend yesterday on La Valle between Suipacha and Esmeralda for 10.70 pesos to the dollar. A black man named "Aaron" took us into a store on La Valle which was safe and easy. "Aaron" said he's there every day until 9 pm, 7 days a week. He's black, so easy to spot on La Valle.
[QUOTE=HappyGoLucky;438654]Exchanged $400 dollars today, March 20, at Arenales 1245 for 10.60 pesos per US dollar.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=HappyGoLucky;438674]Exchanged $500 dollars with a friend yesterday on La Valle between Suipacha and Esmeralda for 10.70 pesos to the dollar. A black man named "Aaron" took us into a store on La Valle which was safe and easy. "Aaron" said he's there every day until 9 pm, 7 days a week. He's black, so easy to spot on La Valle.[/QUOTE]Maybe Cuban?
Nice guy.
Stands out for sure!
Maybe left a nickel on the table but who cares!
Have Fun,
TL.
[QUOTE=TejanoLibre;438678]Maybe Cuban?
Nice guy.
Stands out for sure!
Maybe left a nickel on the table but who cares!
Have Fun,
TL.[/QUOTE]I ventured down La Valle and Florida. On La Valle the black guy was out there along with 5 others hawking for Cambio exchange. I actually got several different quotes. But what I did not realize until I started discussing details is that they quote one rate for larger bills $50 and up, and a different (lower) rate for smaller bills.$20 and lower. It seems that 10.70 was the going rate for the larger bills. Some had lower rates. But for the smaller bills they were quoting 10.25 ish. I settled on a guy who was willing to do 10.50 for the smaller bills and 10.70 for the larger. I guess you live and learn.
Lab.
Do the arbolitos have a preference between $50 and $100 bills or are they treated pretty much the same?
[QUOTE=Vampire;438698]Do the arbolitos have a preference between $50 and $100 bills or are they treated pretty much the same?[/QUOTE]Exactly the same.
Anyone know what the current Forex or Banco Nacion BA airport rates are (approximately)? Thank you.
Airport rate is always the official price, today around 8. Does not change drastically.
[QUOTE=NoahZark;438712]Anyone know what the current Forex or Banco Nacion BA airport rates are (approximately)? Thank you.[/QUOTE]A bit over a year ago I changed US dollars at Banco Nacióand and got, of course, the official rate. And it took a really long time. The line was not so long but it moved like molasses. And I have no idea now why I bothered. I don't know about the other taxi services but I was using Taxi Ezeiza and they will take US dollars. Although not at the Blue rate.
AllIWantIsLove.
Its prudent to carry about 2000 pesos with you when leaving Argentina even for 6 months or 9 months so that you have cash for taxi and the first fuck as soon as you return.
[QUOTE=Member#3320;438717]Its prudent to carry about 2000 pesos with you when leaving Argentina even for 6 months or 9 months so that you have cash for taxi and the first fuck as soon as you return.[/QUOTE]LOL! In six months $2000 p might pay only the Taxi into town!! .
[QUOTE=Gandolf50;438719]LOL! In six months $2000 p might pay only the Taxi into town!! .[/QUOTE]Thats a exaggeration. .
I paid 70 pesos in 2007. Now I pay 300 pesos. Thats a inflation of 450 % in 7 years.
So if you have 2000 pesos when returning to your home country, and lets say end up paying 600 pesos one year later in BA, for taxi to town, you can still buy some sort of pussy in 1400 pesos.
[QUOTE=Member#3320;438723]Thats a exaggeration. .
I paid 70 pesos in 2007. Now I pay 300 pesos. Thats a inflation of 450 % in 7 years.
[/QUOTE]Ummm, no. (300-70) / 70 = 329% in 7 years.
10.55 pesos to the dollar today from "Mariana". She took me into a store down a staircase where she was standing. No fake bills. Mariana stands on Florida yelling "cambio" about 100 feet from Cordoba on the north side. When I entered the store I was the only one. When I left a few minutes later there were 10 people in line behind me with dollars in their hands. Mariana is cool, no pressure, unlike some of her associates in the same area.
[QUOTE=Dickhead;438729]Ummm, no. (300-70) / 70 = 329% in 7 years.[/QUOTE]Welcome back! You were missed here on the forum.
[QUOTE=Dickhead;438729]Ummm, no. (300-70) / 70 = 329% in 7 years.[/QUOTE]Rainman returns, 2.2[B]05[/B].
Got 10.80 yesterday in Microcentro.
(And paid $280 for a taxi from Ezeiza. Which really pissed me off..I was supposed to be landing at Aeroparque!
Here is some information for Cordoba, the city:
There is a blue market here, but nowhere as prevalent as in Buenos Aires. I wandered the streets for two days looking for arbolitos and didn't find any. Some taxis/stores didn't even want to accept dollars as payment at the official exchange rate. I ended up trading with some college students that a guy at my hotel knew who were looking to put away some funds. I got 10 pesos per 1 dollar. Might have been able to have gotten 10.25-10.50, but would have had to met someone off the internet at a McDonalds or the like. Nothing like a Calle Florida here. Start your trip in BA not Cordoba. On the plus side, everything is much cheaper in Cordoba vs BA.
Vampire over and out.
I spent the weekend in Puerto Iguazú where I also only got 10.0 for my USD.
Unfortunately there's no plus side to being in Iguazú....it's the most expensive town in Argentina (maybe The World!).
Either DavieW was making a joke, or has not traveled very much. He needs to go to Tokyo, London, or Moscow if he thinks Iguazu is expensive.
Tres3.
Is anybody going back to the states that has an excess of pesos to get rid of for dollars?
I've lived in 3 of those cities and visited the other. I lived in Iguazú for almost 2 years.
If you don't think Iguazú is expensive, you've clearly never spent much time there. You want an example. Traveling 5 blocks in a cab (on the meter) is 35 pesos and if you travel in a remís there's a 25 peso minimum. Here's another - a tin of Campagnola tuna in EOS supermarket (the biggest supermarket in Iguazú - none of the big chains have been allowed to open up there) is 28 pesos, compared to the 20.50 it costs in Carrefour here. Or how about a typical electricity bill - my mate has a smallish 3 bedroom house there (no air-cons) and pays 1500 - 1800 pesos per month. I've never paid more than about 60 pesos in Buenos Aires (only a one-bedroom flat, but with 2 oft-used air-cons).
Fine, in absolute terms (particularly taking accommodation costs into account!) of course you're going to spend more living in London, but in relative terms, taking average income into account, Iguazú wins by a long stretch.
I have been to Iguazu four times since 2002. Three times I stayed on the Argentine side, and one time I stayed on the Brazilian side. I still think London, Tokyo, Moscow, and several other world cities are more expensive. I guess we will have to agree to disagree, and move on.
Tres3.
This forum is fcuking hilarious!
Excuse me for trying to help out my fellow ex-pats. Sorry about that, I'll try to remember that that's against the rules and the only reason this forum exists is for people to take sides and knock lumps out of each other!
I am only trying to let people know just how expensive Iguazú is, based on the fact that I lived there for a couple of years and visit fairly regularly. I also helpfully provided some concrete examples of real price differences compared to Buenos Aires based on information gathered just this last weekend.
Now, how does "I've been there 4 times in the last 10 years, so let's agree to disagree" make any sense whatsoever? What really makes me laugh though, isn't just that someone can ignore the facts presented - I read it when it was posted, laughed to myself and left it at that - but then other people start *thanking* him for HIS post!
I get the same thing all the time on this particular thread for daring to find places with better exchange rates than other people are posting - "who cares about an extra 2c on the dollar!" - and the complainer gets half the forum backing him up!
What's the matter with you people?!?!? Or maybe I'm the idiot for thinking the idea is to help each other out?