Currency hacks: Argentina
The quirk: Blue dollar (dólar blue) parallel exchange rate
What's going on
Argentina has multiple official + unofficial exchange rates. The 'official' rate is set by the government; the 'blue dollar' is the unofficial street rate, often 50-100%+ better. Inflation runs 100%+ annually — pesos lose value fast.
The smart-traveler strategy
- Bring USD cash ($100 bills, crisp + clean, post-2017 issue) — exchange at 'cuevas' (informal exchange houses) for blue rate.
- Western Union: send USD from abroad to yourself, withdraw pesos at much better than official rate (often near blue).
- Credit cards: charged at MEP (Mercado Electrónico de Pagos) rate, between official and blue — better than withdrawing pesos at ATM.
- Don't withdraw pesos from ATMs — terrible rates + fees + low daily limits.
- USD widely accepted at hotels + tour operators + many restaurants in tourist areas.