Safe blue rate exchange in Recoleta

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Where can I exchange money in Buenos Aires and get the black/blue rate?

Replies:

1)

There are lots of money exchange guys on pedestrian Florida Street. Research how to spot counterfeits, do the exchange quickly/efficiently then taxi out of there. Just use common sense, no worries. Also, simply ask your hotel front desk, they should be able to suggest an "established" place close by as well, or one of the staff might do it for you too for a commission.

2)

I did it on Florida Street, as suggested above.Watch out for fakes and short changing though......don't just take their word for it.

3)

I would definitely ask someone for a recommendation for a cueva (unofficial foreign exchange place); another traveler, an employee of your hotel, a newsvendor, etc. It is all too easy to get falsos (counterfeit bills) or to be put in an uncomfortable setting. Bear in mind that you will generally get a worse rate on the weekend or holiday, so exchange money on a business day. As always, crisp US$100 bills without tears or markings of any kind, are the best to exchange, and will get the best rate. Never exchange with people you will never see again (e. g. taxi drivers)

4)

I went to Florida Street with only a few US$20 bills in my pocket and nothing else. I approached one of the "arbolitos" (guys who are on the streets announcing: "dollars, euros, real"). I walked with the guy to a decrepit nearby building with an elevator that must have been installed when Eva Peron was a child... And the "cueva" (unofficial foreign exchange place) was this tiny barebones "office". Other travelers were there, and they accepted US$, euros, Brazilian real, etc. I have to say that it is not the most reassuring environment to engage in a financial transaction, everything and everyone looks quite dodgy. But it turned out fine in the end.

Thank you for the info! We are renting an apartment in a building with security so maybe I can ask them or the owners of the rental? They happen to be from Miami which is where I'm from so hopefully they can help :)

This was tremendous info though!

I'm more nervous about the safety than anything else. Heard nothing but scary stories on a thread I posted here. We will be alert but Yikes!! Fingers crossed all goes well for us.

I can't recommend a particular money-exchange house (cueva), but unless you get a personal recommendation from someone you trust, you are better off strolling down calle Florida and changing money with someone there. Personally, I would not trust a random answer here on TT as to a specific cueva to go to.

There is a lot of good advice in previous posts about the safest way to change money, so I won't repeat that here. Just use common sense. These people are businessmen, and just like anyone else they will provide you the service safely. It's not like going into a bank or other signed official business, but it is much safer than changing money in other countries I've visited.

You need to bring American dollars in cash to be able to exchange on the black market. ATMs do not dispense dollars in Argentina. If you use ATMs, banks or exchange houses you get 8 pesos instead of about 13.30 pesos.

Thank you both so much.

I spoke to some Americans who recommended a couple of places. Some advised to go to calle Florida as well.. It's mostly the my Argentine friends that say never to go there. Hence my confusion.

We are taking the amount of money in USD we think we will likely spend in crisp and untainted 100 bills as we have read in many places that's what is preferred :)

Worst comes to worst and we run out of pesos we exchanged with the cash I'll just use an ATM for whatever bit I need. Even if it's at the official rate, rather not end up with an excess of pesos.

Do you guys have any links to previous threads on this?

I'll keep looking on my end. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I think Argentines have a favorite place to exchange money, hence they don't recommend walking up to a money changer at random. But I consider it safe to do just that in that area along Florida. Exchange a small amount of money at first, then you can do more later if you are comfortable with the people.

Another option is to use Xoom to get pesos directly from your U.S. bank account. After their fee, you get a rate a little less than the "blue dollar" rate. There is an office near Santa Fe on Libertad that would be convenient for you. For many who are uncomfortable dealing with a person on the street or carrying large amounts of US dollars on their bodies, it is a good compromise.

Plenty of tourists come here unaware of the Blue dollar rate and use the ATMs to get cash. It will just cost you more; it is not the end of the world.

I also wouldnt use Florida street! Too many "what ifs" there in my mind!

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