Table of contents:
Entry/exit requirements to Argentina
- Americans don't need a visa to enter Argentina. Not sure about other nationalities.
During Covid, you need to fill out a statutory declaration (more info below).
Dec 2022 update: This is no longer necessary!
How to get to your hotel from the airport
- Right after you exit customs, there are a few taxi services (called “remis”). They are safe. You can pay with your international card or with cash (more info below on how to get pesos but you will likely not have any when you land!). Here are the recommended ones:
- Do not walk out to the street in the airport to take a taxi. They rarely accept card, and they’ll try tricks to charge you more, give you a headache, etc.
Money
Pack cash!
Bring crisp, new $100 bills to exchange with you to Argentina.
Make sure to bring the newest blue bills, not "cara chica" (small face) bills, because many money changers will not accept cara chica because they are easy to counterfeit.
If you bring cash and exchange it at a cueva (a grey market money changer), your money will go 2x as far as if you pay with credit card.
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The official exchange rate and the real black market exchange rate differ dramatically. As of 28-Dec-2022:
Given Argentina’s inflation, these rates will be out of date by the time you read this – make sure to check the rates yourself.
Here’s a blog post about why exchange rates are so complex in Argentina.
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Some merchants will also accept USD cash directly at a fairly good exchange rate, but make sure you have some pesos around because they won't take always accept USD.
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Some cuevas accept USDC / USDT / ETH / other cryptocurrencies.
How to get pesos
- Exchange ~$50 USD for pesos when you arrive at the airport. This will be enough for a taxi and several days. You will get a bad rate, but it's important to have some cash with you.
- When you arrive in the city, ask a local you trust to introduce you to a cueva. They will give you a better rate – you’ll get almost 2x as many pesos for the same number of dollars!
Lodging