avrooster

I trust your "Without being upset with me" is NOT addressed to me in particular, sylbea.

If you LEAVE the customs area and turn right, you can enter the Ezeiza branch of the Banco de la Nación, not just access the window facing the customs area.

Hope that helps.

sylbea

No Way, AVRooster, I did not mean it for anyone in particular. I just know that the subject has really been explained but all of a sudden I kind of got nervous that I didn't understand.

Everyone is so helpful on the Fodor's Board and we are getting so excited. The main thing is that the hubby has not been able to read all these explanations and I am going to be the one to figure it out. I know we are going to have a wonderful time in BA. But I do want to be as cautious as possible, especially after having his pocket picked in Vienna!! It can happen anyplace.

Thanks again.

seeksocean

bookmarking

Graziella5b

I agree with avrooster, the people of that exchange kiosk in the International Airport are crooks, they take advantage of people coming tired and in need of pesos and the way they are set up it does not seem that there are other exchange offices near them.
Kavey say that people should look at the posted exchange rate and then avoid them but in reality things do not work exactly like that in airports.
Legally they are ok but morally they are on abusive side.

seeksocean

If I have lots of fair warning time wise before my trip, is it worth it to change money at my bank in the USA? They usually charge me $12 for as much as I need to change.

What is the recent history of the AP against the USD and the antisipated future (for you fortune tellers out there)of the same?

Graziella5b

I think the ATM charge much less. Depends on the bank.
The banks, casas de cambio do not charge commission in Argentina as far as I know.

drdawggy

AV should be able to offer up an educated guess about the future of the dollareso exchange rate...

Recent history: the dollar has been gaining against the peso...3.44 yesterday vs 3.12 just a few months ago. www.dolarhoy.com

Both Bank of America and Citibank charge hefty foreign transaction fees, in addition to the ATM fees charged by local banks.

I would exchange as much money as I thought I needed if I could obtain the money in advance for USD12. (You might check the exchange rate offered by the bank...they might be charging a second commission by offering you a low rate of exchange, in addition to the USD12 flat rate). If you do get money in advance, ask for small bills rather than 100 peso notes.

Could you post the name of your bank? I am planning a trip and would love to get some pesos now.....Thanks

avrooster

My UNeducated guess is that the US dollar will go on gaining against the peso.

My educated guess is that it is a bad idea to try to get pesos in the US.

As drdawggy well said, you need to look not only at the commission, but also at the exchange rate.

You can compare the rates by looking at the website mentioned by drdawggy, the internationally renowned TOP Internet authority on tourism in Argentina. http://www.dolarhoy.com/indexx.php

My educated guess is that US banks are probably almost as bad as "Global Exchange", in that respect.

Trying to get small bills (no larger than 20 pesos) is always a good idea.

Question, Doc: why on earth do you want to get some pesos NOW?

drdawggy

AV,

I want pesos just prior to my trip with students in early March. IF (a really big IF) I could obtain pesos at a good rate in the US, it would save time on arrival. The lines at Banco de la Nacion are sometimes a hassle. In a word, convenience.

seeksocean

Thanks Dr.D and AV! Sage advice.

MarnieWDC

I was trying to get small bills - even change - in Pesos before my trip: I tried Bank of Am., Citibank and PNC. No Pesos! Not at any exchange rate, at those banks. So, I will wait in line at the bank at EZE - which was no problem last year. And then use ATMs in town.

I do want to ride the collectivos and so am very eager to get change. But....any good hints??

Kavey

We only exchanged a reasonably small amount at the airport, enough to cover coffees, taxis and dinner that night, incase the restaurant didn't take cards.

The rest we took out from a bank ATM but immediately on taking it out I popped inside to ask them to swap most of the larger notes for smaller denominations, which they did without any problems, took only a few minutes to queue.

Jeff_Australia

Thanks to everybody for their replies, it is appreciated.

Jeff

Rastaguytoday

For all of you wanting to heed Avrooster's advice about...

"Avoid like the plague the place Kavey calls "the little exchange bureau also in the airport". They are crooks. Their name is "Global Exchange"."

I was wandering in the desert called the internet and found that someone had posted a picture of how to get around the "crooks" and go to Banco Nacion.

http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ezeizaey5.jpg

irecommend

Thats hilarious Rasta. Are you here now?

Rastaguytoday

I shall be there within the month, unless Avrooster's henchmen figure out a way to stop me at the border.

owlwoman

We always bring about $500 in $1s and $5s in case we have trouble getting "small" money and to use until we get to an ATM DT, I've never had a problem using US$s for tips/paying for taxis, etc.

We're leaving in a little over a month now too, getting very excited about our trip!

avrooster

I'll instruct them to make sure you are sent back pronto to the West Coast, where you belong, Rastaguytoday.

Just kidding, in case someone does not realize it.

avrooster

BTW, congratulations on donating one hundred pesos to your US bank. They REALLY need it, at this time. LOL!!

Rastaguytoday

Owlwoman,

How does one carry US$ 500 in one and fives? Certainly not in a bum bag or fanny pack.

Seems like a lot of bulk. But, then, my wife's handbag probably could fit double that amount, if she could ever find it in the "thing" she calls her handbag.

However, I will be bringing mucho cambio chicita.