Understanding Argentina's currency system is essential for saving money on your Buenos Aires trip. The country has a complex exchange rate system with different dollar rates, and the difference between paying by card and exchanging cash can be 20-40% of your budget.
Quick summary
- Official dollar: Government rate (worst for tourists)
- Tourist/card dollar: Applied to foreign credit cards (~30% worse than blue)
- Blue dollar: Parallel market rate (best for tourists with cash)
- Bottom line: Bring USD or EUR cash and exchange at casas de cambio
What is the blue dollar?
The blue dollar is the US dollar exchange rate on Argentina's parallel market. While technically informal, it is widely tolerated and used. Historically, the blue rate has been 20-80% higher than the official rate, meaning you get significantly more Argentine pesos for your USD cash than by paying with a credit card.
Where to exchange money
- Calle Florida casas de cambio: Florida street, in downtown BA, is famous for informal exchange houses ("cuevas") where you get the blue rate. You will hear shouts of "cambio, cambio!" as you walk. It is safe — enter a shop, confirm the rate, count the money in front of them.
- Official exchange houses: Offer the official or slightly better rate. More formal but worse rate than the cuevas.
- Your hotel: Some hotels exchange dollars at an intermediate rate.
- Western Union: You can send money to yourself via Western Union and receive pesos at a competitive rate.
Credit cards
International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at most places in Buenos Aires. However, the exchange rate applied is the tourist/card dollar, which is significantly worse than the blue rate. In practice:
- A USD 20 steak dinner paid with blue dollars in cash might cost the equivalent of USD 25-30 on your credit card.
- Use cards for larger purchases at shops and online bookings.
- Use cash for restaurants, taxis, markets and smaller purchases.
How much cash to bring
- Budget trip (4 days): USD 200-300 in cash + backup card
- Mid-range (4 days): USD 400-600 in cash + card
- Premium (4 days): USD 800-1,200 in cash + card
- Rule of thumb: USD 50-100 per day in cash for daily expenses
ATMs
ATMs (cajeros automaticos) are available throughout Buenos Aires. They dispense pesos at the official rate (worst for tourists) with an additional fee of USD 5-10 per withdrawal. Maximum withdrawal is typically ARS 30,000-60,000 per transaction (roughly USD 25-50 at the official rate). ATMs are best used only as a backup.
Safety with money
- Do not exchange on the street with people who approach you — go inside a casa de cambio
- Split your cash between pockets, bag and hotel safe
- Do not display large amounts of money in public
- Always have small peso bills for taxis and small purchases
- Count your pesos carefully at the exchange counter before leaving
FAQ
Is the blue dollar legal?
Technically it operates in a gray area, but it is widely used by locals and tourists alike and is effectively tolerated. Millions of Argentines use the blue dollar daily. Exchange at established casas de cambio (not random people on the street) for safety.
Should I bring USD or EUR?
USD is preferred and gets slightly better rates. EUR is also accepted at most exchange houses. GBP is harder to exchange outside of banks. Whichever you bring, carry crisp, undamaged bills — damaged notes are rejected or get worse rates.
