Confused about money in Argentina. Anyone been recently? Do I pay in US dollars? Do I pay in Argentinean pesos? Do I use credit cards? I went to the bank to get pesos and they said they can't get them.

We were there just a few weeks ago. The exchange rate was excellent, but it seems there are different exchange rates, depending upon where you get your cash. Better than cash, though, I'd recommend using a visa or mastercard. I'm normally an Amex fan, but a lot of places there didn't take it, and when I did get to use it, the Amex exchange rate wasn't as good as I got with a Chase mastercard.

So maybe hit an ATM for a modest withdrawal of pesos when you arrive, but put as much as you can on a US credit card from a bank that doesn't apply foreign transaction feeds. It worked for us, and our expenses for the trip were very reasonable.

By the way, if you like steak, you're going to love Argentina. We had lots of steak meals, and the prices were amazing. First night there, we got a big steak meal with sides for three of us, and the total was $62. Enjoy!

You will find a lot of current information on the Tripadvisor Argentina forum and I would strongly recommend that you go there as the situation is ever changing.

The current rate of inflation in the country is running well into six figures with prices rising at an alarming rate. Until recently this was offset, more than offset, by a plummeting exchange rate and the unofficial fx market known as the Blue Dollar. Things have changed somewhat and the central bank has been manipulating the fx rate to an extent that Argentina can now be quiet expensive. (so much so that Argentinians are apparently going to Uruguay and Brazil for their holidays as it is cheaper!)

You wont get pesos outside of Argentina as no one wants them so the options are

1. Take USD , £ or € in new bills and exchange then with on street camibistas or bureau
2. Set up a western union account load with USD and withdraw pesos at their offices in Argentina
3. Use credit cards as much as possible - most providers now operate the unofficial rate

Do check out the TA forums as the situation is constantly evolving

Wow! We were just talking about a SA cruise. Probably best to embark from Argentina and spend a few days there first. We live in the burbs of Chicago which has a plethora of fine steak houses. $62.00 is about what you pay for one steak not to mention the sides which are usually ala carte.

I was there in December 2023. I found the way to pay was to exchange US $ for pesos. Bring $100 bills because they give a better rate for those than for smaller bills.

PS I'm usually a big supporter of ATMs, but that doesn't work as well in Argentina.