avrooster

Except for the obvious risks involved in carrying cash, doing so is, at the present time, a much better option, as explained in several threads on the subject.

Have a great time in our country.

Southam

Many thanks to all who joined the discussion on this ticklish subject.

travelgirl2

When we first changed at Xoom, the blue rate was about 8.4, Xoom offered 7.2 and the official rate was 4.4 or so.

I did feel more secure going to a Western Union type of office, called More or something like that, than changing on the street. Interesting that you say you are ALMOST sure it is illegal because that is what I kept thinking, but then I wondered how they could do it out of an official money transferring office. Surely they could easily be closed down if the powers so desired.

Anyway, for people living there, the currency situation is really unsustainable and I wish you the best in the future. Buenos Aires is lovely and the people were very nice.

avrooster

Thank you for your good wishes, travelgirl2.

When should we expect you back?

Bring the rest of the family and go to our South.

PatrickSch

I recently purchased Argentine pesos at the Atlanta airport and got 6.4 pesos to the dollar. In Buenos Aires I was told the official rate was 8.5 to the dollar- the tour guide took us to a money changer in a booth in La Boca and I got 11 pesos to the dollar- another member of the tour group exchanged with the guys standing along Ave. Florida ( a big shopping street) and got 11.5 pesos to the dollar. I just got back today. At Logan airport they refused to even sell Argentine pesos.

NoFlyZone

Two weeks ago we were in El Calafate and had brought US dollars. Paid the hotel bill at a 10 peso to the dollar rate. Several merchants offered the same rate for both purchases and exchange.

avrooster

You need to change in BA. As a general rule, the rate will deteriorate, as you are further away from BA.

Have a great time in my country.

NoFlyZone

If directed at me, AVR, we were not in BA at all on the trip. But just posting a single data point.

avrooster

Directed to all readers. If you are coming into Argentina via BA and later going to other parts of Argentina, it should be better to change in BA.

Have a great time in my country.

Greens43

We've been in Argentina for six weeks now...couldn't bring in dollars as we weren't coming from the US. We used Xoom in BA. At the time the blue rate was 12 and through Xoom we got 10...still much better than 7-8. Once you get away from BA, it's a lot harder to find dollars or Xoom type businesses. We're in the lakes district now and have been using the ATM and cringing at the cost...about US$5 per transaction and you can only take out about US$100 per transaction but you can do it 3x in a row. Crazy. We need to head over to Chile to get dollars. Nevertheless, it is so crazy beautiful here that its worth the financial pain! Bottomline, bring lots of dollars with you and a very secure money belt!