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Bookmark & shareThe Argentine peso is the national currency and is accepted everywhere. Only higher-end hotels accept US dollars, and most restaurants do not. In Buenos Aires, US dollars are more commonly accepted at both, but you should always carry pesos. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit cards.
Please note that prices are going up - fast - in Argentina. It's no longer the rock-bottom bargain it was even last year. Part of this is due to supply and demand - skyrocketing visitation has led hoteliers and restaurateurs to raise their prices. And part of it is inflation, which is back with a vengeance (just ask the locals about the price of tomatoes). Prices for accommodations are up an average of 100% (you read that right) and restaurants an average of 50% since our last visit. Taxis and internet rates have also jumped. It's anticipated this trend will only continue, so please call or check websites for hotels and tour operators before budgeting your trip - or be prepared for sticker shock.
However, it's good to keep things in perspective - Argentina is still very affordable for what it offers. Where else can you enjoy a steak dinner with a good bottle of wine for under US$10.00 ? Or a double scoop of amazing ice cream for less than US$2.00 ? Certainly not in Europe - especially if your home currency is the plummeting US dollar.
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Currency
- Name
- Argentine Peso
- Symbol
- Arg$
Banknotes come in denominations of two, five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. One peso equals 100 centavos (cents).
Coins come in denominations of one (rare), five, 10, 25 and 50 centavos (cents), and one peso.
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Changing Your Money
US dollars are by far the preferred foreign currency, although Chilean and Uruguayan pesos can be readily exchanged at the borders. Dollars and euros can be changed at cambios (exchange houses) in most larger cities, but other currencies can be difficult to change outside Buenos Aires.
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Money Tips
Counterfeiting, of both local and US bills, has become a problem in recent years, and merchants are very careful when accepting large denominations. You should be too; look for a clear watermark or running thread on the largest bills.
Bargaining is uncommon, except in the artisan markets of the Andean northwest.
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Sample Price Guide
- espresso
- US$ 0.60
- litre of petrol
- US$ 0.65
- great bottle of store-bought wine
- US$ 5.00
- sirloin steak
- US$ 4.00
- double scoop of ice cream
- US$ 0.50
- 4hr bus ride
- US$ 5.00
- 1l bottled water
- US$ 0.65
- 1l of Quilmes beer from store
- US$ 0.60
- souvenir t-shirt
- US$ 4.00
- hot dog on street
- US$ 0.35
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe US$10-35 US$35-80 US$80-150 US$150+ Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe US$2-5 US$5-20 US$20-40 US$40+ -
Tipping
The usual propina (tip) at restaurants is 10%, provided a service charge hasn't already been included in the bill. Taxis have digital-readout meters that start at about 0.75 . Tipping isn't expected, but you can leave extra change.
Related Travel Stories
-
My First 24 Hours: Buenos Aires
article by John Kenyon, February 2007
Prime steaks, cheap opera seats - dump your bags and see what Buenos Aires has to offer. Read the full article ›
Tags: Cities • Buenos Aires
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