Exchanging Currency

[Avidtraveller]

Has anyone used Western Union to send yourself cash for pick up?

[Doonthecamor]

Am I reading this correctly. Currently USD to Argentina peso, $1 is 349.98. From the cheat sheet posted on this forum, it says prices are basically $1-$2.

1. Is this cheat sheet updated?

2. Have the working girls marked up their price? If so, how much?

I'm very new to argentina. My experience is towards south east asia so i am just a bit surprised and confused to what I am seeing.

Also, sorry if i'm replying in the wrong thread. It seems i cant post a new topic even after activation?!

[Yvrcanadian]

Just came back from BA and this is our experience.

As you know, there are 3 exchange rates in Argentina. The Official Govt rate (bad), the Bank rate, and the black market Blue rate.

At the time of our visit (Jan 2023), the bank rate was about 183 pesos to USD$1. This is the rate that banks will exchange money with you for and also the rate that most cambio (money changers) will do it for.

The blue rate at that time was around 365-380 pesos for $USD1. The blue rate is available from merchant stores. But not all merchant stores will exchange money. The one we went to at the recommendation of our tour guide was called Guns Leather at Calle Florida 658. Its just a regular leather store selling jackets, belts, wallets, etc. But they will exchange money for you at the Blue rate. Its important to bring USD$100 bills to exchange. The rate is about 10-20 pesos less if use smaller denominations like $50 or $20s bills. You can call them before hand to ask for the exchange rate. They did not speak English that well but they can understand you. I picked up a leather wallet and belt while I was there too. The quality is quite good.

Also, you might want to check with the front desk of your hotel. If you stay at a non 5 star big chain hotel, then the front desk clerk usually has a side gig going on to sell blue rate pesos. Our hotel clerk gave us a blue rate of 340 pesos for $1 USD and that was about 30 pesos less then the published blue rate on the first day we arrived at the hotel. I figured he knew we needed pesos for walking around money and gouge us a little on it. We bought it from him considering the alternative was less then half of that if we went to a cambio. On the second to last day of our check out, we bought from the same clerk at a much higher rate of 370. He probably figured out we knew where to get the blue rate now and did not try to gouge us.

The blue rate is available on the nightly news. Or check out this website https://www.ambito.com/contenidos/dolar.html..

Good luck and good hunting in Buenos Aires.

[Frankols 70]

A new rule about bringing US Dollar to Argentina.

https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/econ...ive-rate.phtml

Some more of the same, but this time for debit and credit cards issued outside Argentina.

[Born Free]

Only because I was unable to open up a new thread ..... I'll ask here. Can anyone please recommend an insurance company offering reasonable, short-term Covid-19 health coverage?

After much time wasted on the internet searching, I don't see any good options. In reality, I just need Covid / SARS-CoV-2 variants health coverage to enter the country. And for just for 19 days. It seems that most health coverage options require longer term commitments and try to bundle in all types of useless coverage.

I am double vaxxed yet still contracted Covid (delta variant) last year. But this is the game being played to gain entry and so play it I must.

Thanks in advance.

[Rudy Rude]

Don't get rip off exchange with those cambio. Western Union give the best rate, 209 today, plus it is safe & secure.

How long in advance should I initiate the transfer? Should I do it a day before I leave? Also I read that you should only attempt to transfer US 300/400 at a time. A $1000 is too much for them to handle.

[SteveG75]

Like many already said here, the official rates are almost half than the unofficial (80 to 160 to round up). So I would not recomend using ATMs or similar methods unless you stay in an insecure place.

Avoid dressing like a tourist, speaking outloud or taking pics everywhere and youll be fine.

There are tons of "arbolitos" (little trees) which are men shouting "cambiooo" (exchange) in avenida corrientes. If you have a local contact thatll be perfect so they dont take advantage, but in any case those "arbolitos" will take you to an office and should respect the "blue" price of your money.

Apparently borders will be closed in about a couple of weeks, but nothing is being confirmed yet.

Don't get rip off exchange with those cambio. Western Union give the best rate, 209 today, plus it is safe & secure.

[Sun08]

A new rule about bringing US Dollar to Argentina.

https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/econ...ive-rate.phtml

[Sandraallen]

I am new here and planning to visit Argentina soon .

[CarlitaFitness]

Like many already said here, the official rates are almost half than the unofficial (80 to 160 to round up). So I would not recomend using ATM´s or similar methods unless you stay in an insecure place.

Avoid dressing like a tourist, speaking outloud or taking pics everywhere and you´ll be fine.

There are tons of "arbolitos" (little trees) which are men shouting "cambiooo" (exchange) in avenida corrientes. If you have a local contact that´ll be perfect so they don´t take advantage, but in any case those "arbolitos" will take you to an office and should respect the "blue" price of your money.

Apparently borders will be closed in about a couple of weeks, but nothing is being confirmed yet.

[El Perro]

For W.W.....the way we do it here is by Western Union. WU transfers are done close to the Blue Dollar rate. The best way is having someone in the U.S. Send the money to you here. I have no luck just accessing my bank account in the U.S. and doing it myself. Someone sends me the money by physically going to WU in the states once a month. I physically pick up the money here...in pesos. It really works well. And you keep a minimum here in reserve...and.....then....you will NEVER be using your debit card or credit card in Argentina. You will be living a cash life.

All true except the Western Union rate follows the Contado con Liquidacion, not the Blue Dollar. They are often pretty close though. You can also use your USA debit card to send money via WU. There is a fee doing it that way, but if you don't have someone helping in the states its an easy method. I sent $400US via WU early yesterday morning and picked up$49,000+pesos at WU within an hour.

[PirateMorgan]

For W.W.....the way we do it here is by Western Union. WU transfers are done close to the Blue Dollar rate. The best way is having someone in the U.S. Send the money to you here. I have no luck just accessing my bank account in the U.S. and doing it myself. Someone sends me the money by physically going to WU in the states once a month. I physically pick up the money here...in pesos. It really works well. And you keep a minimum here in reserve...and.....then....you will NEVER be using your debit card or credit card in Argentina. You will be living a cash life.

[Omegaman]

Keep that cash in a US bank and draw it as needed via an ATM card.

The only issue with that is I get the official rate. By bringing cash I get the blue rate, which is at least a third more.

[Old Coach]

Keep that cash in a US bank and draw it as needed via an ATM card.

Any idea when travel to Argentina will be opened?

Having withdrawl symptoms .

[Wild Walleye]

I have a question: if you bring more than $10,000 into Argentina and declare it what are the issues. Will Argentina tax the money? Will they track the money so it will be difficult to exchange at the blue rate on Florida Ave? Any other issues I am not thinking of.

Keep that cash in a US bank and draw it as needed via an ATM card.