Merlinite Posted December 31, 2014 #1 Share Posted December 31, 2014 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Vic Posted December 31, 2014 #2 Share Posted December 31, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marymcgol Posted December 31, 2014 #3 Share Posted December 31, 2014 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlinite Posted December 31, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted December 31, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr__dawggy Posted December 31, 2014 #5 Share Posted December 31, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Vic Posted December 31, 2014 #6 Share Posted December 31, 2014 You may find this thread informative. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/argentina/1514791-where-how-get-dolar-blue-exchange-rate.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlinite Posted January 1, 2015 Author #7 Share Posted January 1, 2015 muchas gracias Vic!! perfect ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmacher61 Posted January 1, 2015 #8 Share Posted January 1, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlinite Posted January 1, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted January 1, 2015 you are correct. my bad... apologies... thanks all for the great info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted January 2, 2015 #10 Share Posted January 2, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmacher61 Posted January 2, 2015 #11 Share Posted January 2, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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