Great question—because where and how you exchange money in Buenos Aires can make a huge difference in your budget.
💱 Official vs. “Blue Dollar” #
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Official rate (banks/ATMs): Much worse for tourists, and ATMs have small withdrawal limits with high fees.
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Blue dollar (informal market): Parallel exchange rate, often 30–40% better than official.
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Good news: Foreign credit/debit card purchases are now processed at the MEP/tourist rate, which is close to the blue rate.
🔒 Safe Exchange Options #
1. Western Union 💡 Most popular with tourists #
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You transfer money to yourself online, then pick up pesos at a local branch.
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Gives one of the best rates, almost identical to the blue market.
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Downsides: Long lines at branches, especially Fridays & weekends.
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Tip: Use large branches (e.g., in Microcentro, Palermo, Recoleta) and bring your passport.
2. Authorized “cuevas” (exchange houses) #
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Informal but widely used by locals and expats.
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Often give slightly better rates than Western Union with less waiting.
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To find a safe one, ask your hotel concierge, Airbnb host, or trusted local—avoid random street hawkers (“¡cambio, cambio!”).
3. Casas de Cambio (official exchange offices) #
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Safe but usually offer the worst rate (official rate).
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Convenient if you only need a small amount and don’t want to deal with Western Union.
4. Hotels #
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Some higher-end hotels exchange cash, but rates are closer to the official rate.
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Safe but not economical.
🚫 What to Avoid #
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Street changers (“arbolitos”) on Florida Street shouting “Cambio!” — some are legit, others are scammers. Risky for tourists.
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ATMs — terrible rates + high fees. Only use in emergencies.
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Exchanging large USD/EUR bills without checking them — Argentinians are picky; bring crisp, clean $50 or $100 bills.
✅ Pro Traveler Tips #
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Bring USD/EUR in large denominations (clean, no tears). You’ll get the best rates.
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Always carry a mix of card + cash.
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If staying longer, consider splitting between Western Union pickups and cuevas to avoid long waits.
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Check daily rates on Dólar Blue websites (like DolarHoy.com) to know if you’re getting a fair deal.
👉 Best combo in 2025: Use your foreign card for restaurants, hotels, and big purchases (good tourist rate), and get cash via Western Union or a trusted cueva for taxis, kiosks, tips, and small vendors.
