Money in Argentina: What You Actually Need to Know
Money in Argentina changes fast, so no exchange rate here. What is worth knowing about cards, US dollars, Western Union, ATMs, cash discounts and tipping.
Money is one of those things people worry about before coming to Argentina — and honestly, I understand why.
Exchange rates, cards and cash have changed quite a few times, which means a lot of advice online is simply outdated. So rather than giving you one exchange rate that may be wrong by the time you arrive, here are the things that are actually useful to know.
Cards
Cards are widely accepted in Mendoza, especially in the city and tourist areas. For most visitors, using a foreign card is the easiest option — but it isn’t always the cheapest.
Some restaurants and smaller businesses add a card surcharge, sometimes around 10%, to cover payment processing costs. Always ask if you’re unsure:
“¿Tiene recargo con tarjeta?”
If the terminal asks whether you want to pay in pesos or your home currency, choose pesos and let your card provider handle the conversion.
And bring two cards if you can. You never know when one will decide to stop working.
Cash & dollars
It’s still useful to have some cash with you, especially outside the city or at smaller businesses.
US dollars are the most useful foreign currency, and clean, undamaged notes are much easier to exchange or use. Bring a mix of denominations — large notes are great until you need to pay for something small.
Western Union
Western Union can be a very good option for getting pesos, and its exchange rate is often competitive. You can send money to yourself and collect it in pesos at a local branch.
Just check the current rate, fees and availability before sending a large amount. Some branches can also have queues or limited cash.
ATMs
ATMs are available, but they wouldn’t be my first choice. Fees and withdrawal limits can make them expensive.
If you use one, check the current fee and limit and take out a larger amount rather than making several small withdrawals.
Cash discounts
It’s completely normal to ask:
“¿Hay descuento en efectivo?”
Some businesses offer a discount for cash, so it never hurts to ask.
Tipping
Tipping is fairly relaxed in Argentina. And unlike the old advice you’ll find online, many restaurants can now add the tip directly to your card payment.
If you’re a resident with an Argentine bank account, some places also allow tips through QR or bank transfer.
Cash is still perfectly fine too.
Before you fly
- Bring two cards if possible.
- Have some US dollars in clean notes.
- Check current Western Union rates if you plan to use it.
- Tell your bank you’re travelling.
- Don’t rely on exchange rates or prices from an old blog post.
And most importantly:
Don’t spend your whole holiday chasing the perfect exchange rate. Use the option that is convenient, keep a little cash as backup, and go enjoy Argentina.