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...
Printable View
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 & Cerviņo 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 Cerviņo 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 Cerviņo 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 Naciķand 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.