it's all about the money

[Merlinite]

We will be in BA for 4 days and Chile for the same. so, what is the preferred currency? research says C-notes are best for cambio, but how many does it take? how many small bills in $US? are ATM's a better choice?

 

happy new yearrr!

[Orlando Vic]

In Argentina, US dollars are now king! Research this using the term "blue dollar".

 

You can check the "oficial" versus the "informal" or "blue" rates here: http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/

 

Obviously, you need to be careful with the cash, keeping it in a safe, money belt, or inner pocket.

[marymcgol]

When we were in Buenos Aires last year, there was a significant difference between the official exchange rate and the blue rate. We changed a small amount of dollars into pesos for incidental purchases (snacks, taxi, etc.) at a foreign exchange place in the Recoleta mall. We could have gotten a much better rate at a cambio, but given the relatively small amount we changed it didn't seem worth it to try to locate a reputable cambio. We did find that many restaurants gave a very favorable exchange rate for dollars and we did use dollars for several meals. If a restaurant only offered the offical rate, we charged the meal and took air miles!

 

In Chile, we used an ATM to get local currency for incidentals. We generally charged everything else - there is no blue market rate in Chile so no advantage for cash purchases.

 

We found that throughout South America, tour guides requested payment in US dollars, preferable $100 denominations. We brought large bills for the tours we booked in advance and had some extra $100's to use for dinners in Buenos Aires. We prefer not to travel with cash and we were happy to get on the ship and put the cash into our room safe!

[Merlinite]

In Argentina, US dollars are now king! Research this using the term "blue dollar".

 

will do, thanks

 

You can check the "oficial" versus the "informal" or "blue" rates here: http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/

 

means nothing to me. can you just answer the question?

 

Obviously, you need to be careful with the cash, keeping it in a safe, money belt, or inner pocket.

 

always, learned that lesson in Mexico years ago. thanks for the reinforcement tho...

 

m

[dr__dawggy]

always, learned that lesson in Mexico years ago. thanks for the reinforcement tho...

 

m

 

Take new hundred dollar bills. By using an informal cambio /exchange house you should be able to get close to the blue rate (Vic's link shows the difference between the official and blue market rate). You will get a lower rate of exchange for smaller bills or by using an ATM or by going to a bank or other official exchange house. Pay for everything in blue market pesos--hotels, cabs, shopping, and so forth.

[Orlando Vic]

You may find this thread informative. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/argentina/1514791-where-how-get-dolar-blue-exchange-rate.html

[Merlinite]

muchas gracias Vic!! perfect !

[pmacher61]

We will be in BA for 4 days and Chile for the same. so, what is the preferred currency? research says C-notes are best for cambio, but how many does it take? how many small bills in $US? are ATM's a better choice?

 

happy new yearrr!

 

You can check the "oficial" versus the "informal" or "blue" rates here: http://www.ambito.com/economia/mercados/monedas/dolar/

 

means nothing to me. can you just answer the question?

always, learned that lesson in Mexico years ago. thanks for the reinforcement tho...

 

m

How can anyone answer your question without knowing your budget, tastes, accomodations, shopping habits, etc To think one could "just answer the question" is silly and your reply to good information i.e. your intemperate insistence on just an answer to how much money you should carry to finance your stay is worse.

If you are staying in the Alvear Palace, dining at the best restaurants, and buying furs and crocodilo leather shoes, bags, belts etc, I might suggest 20,000 USD. Less if you are not.

[Merlinite]

you are correct. my bad... apologies...

 

thanks all for the great info!

[4774Papa]

you are correct. my bad... apologies...

 

thanks all for the great info!

Good to see you politely responded, however, I didn't think you were intemperate at all.

[pmacher61]

you are correct. my bad... apologies...

 

thanks all for the great info!

It takes character to admit a bad....good for you. Take USD to Bs As . It will be easy to find an exchange house to get the blue rate.