Page 322 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

320  S U r viv A l G U ide

Banking and Currency to check beforehand instead
of joining the long queue. A
The unit of currency in Argentina is the peso, but US dollars better option for exchanging
are widely accepted in tourist areas and most supermarket money is at a casa de cambio.
chains. The majority of tourist-oriented hotels, shops, and Their opening hours vary from
restaurants accept all major credit cards. Bring cash or region to region, though they
are usually open until at least
travelers’ checks in either US dol lars or euros; other foreign 6pm. In Buenos Aires, most are
currencies are not readily exchanged in all banks and will not situated in the Microcentro,
be accepted as cash. The Argentinian peso slumped in 2002 close to where Reconquista and
and again in 2014, resulting in an eightfold devaluation Calles Sarmiento intersect. The
against the dollar. One consequence of this is that a dual commission is around 2 percent,
exchange system has evolved: the official rate, and a more with a minimum service charge
of about US$5. American
favorable “dollar blue” rate, widely offered through unofficial Express travelers’ checks can be
channels. As always in such circumstances: buyer beware. changed without commission
at their office in Retiro.
Credit cards are accepted
in most major outlets, but it
is wise to ask first, especially
in restaurants. The most
widely accepted cards are
MasterCard and Visa, followed
by American Express. Visitors
will have to show a photo ID,
if the need arises.

Wiring Money
Visitors changing money at a casa de cambio in Córdoba
It is advisable to use the facility
Banks and Casas machines that display the of wiring money as a last resort.
de Cambio
symbol of the card issuer. Instead, it is better to go to either
Argentina’s banks range from Visitors will be charged between Forex Cambio, who, like Banco
the state-run Banco de la US$1 and US$5, depend ing on Piano, can also cash foreign
Nación Argentina to local the bank and the card issuer. checks, or Western Union.
indepen dent banks, as well as Getting change in Argentina Charges fluctuate and a mini-
international banks such as can be diffi cult and many mum fee would be about US$50.
Citibank. Opening hours are vendors blanch at the sight of It is advisable to call ahead to
normally from 10am to 3pm on a 100 peso note, so it is better check for the best rates.
weekdays. Avoid lunch hours, to not to with draw cash in multi-
escape long queues. Ask hotel ples of 100. Instead, put in a Currency
staff for opening hours of the request for 190 pesos rather
nearest branches. than 200. For safety reasons, The Argentinian peso is divided
Casas de cambio (bureaux de always with draw money into 100 centavos. In the 2002
change) are generally open only during business hours, economic crisis a number of
longer hours than banks and prefer ably in well-popu lated provinces issued their own
tend to offer quicker ser vice areas such as bank lob bies or paper money bonds. These are
and better exchange rates in shopping malls. no longer legal tender. Do not
comparison to shops and accept any note that is not
hotels. It is advisable not to marked “pesos” and check the
exchange money in a hotel watermark and ink carefully.
unless there is absolu tely no The peso’s symbol, AR$, is
other alternative. Ministro easily confused with that of the
Pistarini International Airport in US dollar (US$). Assume that a
the capital also has several casas product is priced in pesos unless
de cambio, including Banco it is stated otherwise. Always
Piano, but rates at the airport Standard ATM, found across Argentina carry small amounts of cash in
are not competitive. coins and small-denomination
Travelers’ Checks and bills for tips and minor purchases.
Credit Cards
Automatic Teller Travelers’ checks still remain Buses only accept coins (as well
as the electronic SUBE card) and
Machines (ATMs)
the safest way of carrying taxi drivers may be unable or
Most banks have ATMs – look money. However, not all banks unwilling to give change for
out for the Banelco and Link exchange them, so it is better larger-deno mination notes.

AR_320_AD321_1078_PracIn4.indd 320 15/08/2014 10:54
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical (currency spread) template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.2)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm