Why money in Argentina is complicated
Argentina is one of the few countries where it isn't enough for a tourist to just grab a bank card and forget about cash. The official currency is the Argentine peso (ARS), but after years of inflation the US dollar has become a de facto parallel currency. Prices for hotels and tours are often quoted in dollars, while the supermarket price tag is in pesos. Without understanding the local financial system, you can lose 20–30% of your budget on bad exchange rates.
All prices and rates in this article are approximate for 2026. Argentina lives with high inflation, so specific numbers shift every month. The principles and strategies still apply.
The official rate and the blue dollar
Historically Argentina has had two dollar rates: the official one (tipo de cambio oficial) and the parallel one, known as the "blue dollar" (dólar blue). The official rate is set by the Central Bank; the blue dollar is the free-market rate at which Argentines buy and sell dollars unofficially.
In some years the gap between the two rates reached 100% or more. In 2025–2026 the government has taken steps to unify the foreign exchange market, and the gap has narrowed substantially. Still, checking the current rate before your trip is a must.
Where to check the rate: dolarito.ar and dolarhoy.com show both rates in real time.
Comparison of currency exchange methods
| Method | Rate | Fee | Limit | Convenience | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa de cambio (exchange office) | Market / close to blue | 0–1% | None | High | Best |
| Western Union | Market | 0% on transfer | Depends on transfer | Medium | Good |
| ATM (cajero) | Official | 10–15% to withdraw | $200–300 per transaction | High | Bad |
| Bank card (payment) | Official | 3–5% bank conversion | None | Very high | Bad |
| Airport exchange | Worst | 3–5% | None | Very high | Worst |
The best strategy: cash dollars
The optimal approach for a tourist is to bring US dollars in cash and change small amounts at casas de cambio as needed.
Why this works:
- You get the market rate, not the depressed official one
- No ATM fees (which run 10–15% per withdrawal)
- You control how much you change and don't end up with a pile of depreciating pesos before you fly home
Practical tips:
- Bring bills of $50 and up — smaller denominations can get a worse rate
- The bills must be in good condition, no writing or damage. Argentine exchanges are picky about dollar quality
- Older bills (small head) are accepted, but sometimes at a slightly worse rate
- Don't change everything at once — inflation moves fast, pesos lose value every week
Where to change money in Ushuaia
In Ushuaia the exchange offices are concentrated on Calle San Martín — the city's main pedestrian street. Look for "Casa de Cambio" or "Cambio" signs. They're usually open 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and until 13:00 on Saturday. Most are closed on Sunday.
There's an exchange counter at Ushuaia airport, but the rate is substantially worse. If you land in the evening or on a weekend — change the minimum needed for a taxi at the airport, and the bulk the next day in town.
Bank cards
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most restaurants, hotels, and larger stores. With a few caveats:
- Conversion is at the official rate, which is worse
- Your bank may add a fee for international transactions (1–3%)
- Small shops, kiosks, and taxis are cash-only
- Entry to Tierra del Fuego National Park is paid exclusively in cash pesos
A card is worth having as backup, but the main expenses are better covered in cash.
ATMs (cajeros automáticos)
Argentina has two ATM networks: Banelco and Link. Both work with international cards, but the conditions are inconvenient:
- Per-transaction limit: the equivalent of $200–300 (in pesos)
- ATM fee: 10–15% of the withdrawal
- Plus your bank's fee for withdrawing abroad
- Conversion at the official rate
In total you lose 15–25% compared to changing cash at a casa de cambio. The ATM is a last-resort option.
Tipping and small expenses
In Argentina it's standard to leave a tip:
- Restaurants: 10% of the bill. Tips are left in cash even if you pay by card
- Taxis: round up to a convenient amount
- Guides: your call, usually the equivalent of $5–10 per person for a day tour
- Hotels: $1–2 for help with luggage
National park entry
Tierra del Fuego National Park is a must on any Ushuaia itinerary. Entry is paid only in cash, in Argentine pesos. Cards are not accepted. The price for foreigners is higher than for Argentines and is revised every season.
VAT refund (IVA)
Argentine VAT (IVA) is 21%. Foreign tourists can get a partial tax refund on purchases at stores that participate in the Tax Free program. Conditions:
- Purchase must exceed a minimum amount (check the current threshold)
- The store must be in the program and issue a special receipt
- The refund is processed at the airport before departure, at a Global Blue or equivalent counter
- The goods must be presented at customs
In practice the program operates mainly in Buenos Aires. In Ushuaia there are fewer participating stores.
Mercado Pago and digital payments
Mercado Pago is the Argentine equivalent of Apple Pay and Google Pay rolled into one app. It's used everywhere, from cafés to street vendors. But registration requires an Argentine DNI (national ID) and a local bank account, so it's not available to tourists.
Frequently asked questions
Can you pay in dollars directly?
In tourist places — often yes: hotels, tour operators, and some restaurants accept dollars. But change comes back in pesos, and the conversion rate can be poor. It's better to change dollars at an exchange and pay in pesos.
How much cash should I bring?
Depends on the length of the trip and travel style. For a week in Ushuaia for two, plan on $800–1500 in cash on top of prepaid lodging and tours. That covers food, transport, entry tickets, and shopping.
Euros or dollars — what's better?
Dollars. Euros are accepted at exchanges but at a worse rate, and stores and restaurants won't take euros. If you only have euros, change them for dollars before the trip.
Is it safe to carry cash?
Ushuaia is one of the safest cities in Argentina. Standard precautions: don't flash large sums, use the hotel safe, carry money in different pockets. In Buenos Aires be more careful — use a money belt and don't pull out your wallet in public.
Do I need to declare currency at entry?
If you bring in more than $10,000 per person, you have to fill out a customs declaration. Amounts below that don't require declaration, but it's a good idea to carry proof of the money's origin in case of questions.
Does the rate vary between cities?
Yes, slightly. In Buenos Aires the rate is usually a bit better than in Ushuaia thanks to more competition between exchanges. The difference is usually 1–3%.