Can someone explain the currency situation in BA? Do locals prefer payment in Pesoes or Dollars? Are Pesoes excepted everywhere or do locals expect payment in USD from Americans?

re: pesos vs dollars...The peso is expected. The exception is hotels. Most hotels quote rates in dollars ( the exception: some local hotels quoted prices in pesos.<BR><BR>Almost all shops accept either pesos or dollars, and it is not uncommon to see an exchange rate posted in shop windows along Florida, the pedestrian street. Quoted rates of exchange in these stores are almost always favorable. Taxis...are mixed, though most will accept dollars, meters quote pesos. Most restaurants quote prices in pesos.<BR><BR>In short, plan to spend pesos but hold some of your dollars in reserve for your hotel and in shops where it is to your advantage to use dollars.

Terry,<BR>Follow Paul's advice, use both. There are some shops that will give you a very convenient exchange rate if you pay in US$ cash, while taxi drivers may refuse to take them.

Pesos are expected, dollars may be accepted. The hotel will convert the US$ rate to pesos at a good rate for payment. Pay it with a credit card.<BR>The Hard Rock listed shirts in US$ and pesos. Price was $20.60, so I offered $21. The guy pushed the $1 bill away, took the $20, and gave me back 7 pesos and change.<BR>Pay you taxi driver in whole pesos.

Terry: due to the financial crisis, the argentina currency is no longer pegged to the US dollar as it used to be one year ago. Argentinians are used to thinking in US dollars and most of them would accept american currency. However, you should be careful not to be cheated: some inescrupulous people may not give you the correct change or may charge you more. For instance, the current exchange rate is $1.00 = AR 3.4<BR>If you take a taxi and the display shows 5, it means you have to pay 5 argentine pesos or around 1.5 american dollars and not 5 dollars. if the taxi driver wants to charge you five dollars, he is cheating you. If you need any help during your stay just send me a mail.