American Dollars in Argentina: A Guide to Currency and Exchange

Traveling to Argentina with American dollars can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can exchange your dollars for pesos at a currency exchange office or a bank, but be aware that you'll likely get a worse exchange rate than at a hotel or tourist information office.

The exchange rate for American dollars in Argentina is not fixed and can fluctuate daily. In 2020, the exchange rate was around 65 pesos per dollar, but it's always a good idea to check the current rate before traveling.

You can also use ATMs to withdraw pesos with your debit or credit card, but be aware that you'll be charged a withdrawal fee and a conversion fee by your bank.

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The official currency in Argentina is the Argentine Peso, but you'll also see the US dollar symbol used, especially in stores and with card payments. Don't confuse it with the US dollar, as it's expressed as U$S in Argentina.

You can pay with Argentine Pesos throughout the country, but many Argentines prefer to be paid in US dollars. If you want to pay in USD, it's best to exchange your money before arriving in Argentina due to high inflation.

Most people land at Buenos Aires International Airport, and I recommend taking cash with you when traveling, preferably in USD or EUR. You can exchange your cash at one of the many exchange offices in the city.

Due to high inflation, the Argentine Peso quickly loses its value against other currencies, creating parallel exchange rates. One such exchange rate is the tourist exchange rate, which gives you almost double the amount of Pesos for the same 1 USD.

Using your VISA or Mastercard, you'll get the MEP dollar rate, which is almost the same as the black market rate. To ensure you're charged the MEP rate, make sure the business is registered as an Argentine company for payment processing.

Some banks charge foreign currency exchange or dynamic currency conversion fees, but Charles Schwab, JPMorgan Chase, and Capital One 360 don't. If you plan to use Uber, be aware that you may be subject to these fees.

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Only U$100 bills printed after 2013 are accepted in Argentina, and they must be in pristine condition. You can exchange these for Pesos to pay for tips, taxi rides, and park fees.

DO NOT try to withdraw Pesos at ATMs, as you'll be hit with ~U$10 fees and local ATMs limit withdrawals to $60.000 ARS (equivalent to ~U$50).

Here's a list of some exchange offices and businesses that offer the best exchange rates:

Argentina's economy has been through significant fluctuations, with the peso experiencing a sharp decline in value against the US dollar. This has led to a situation where tourists can often get a better exchange rate than locals.

In the past, the Argentine peso was pegged to the US dollar, but this fixed exchange rate was abandoned in 2002. Since then, the peso has floated on the foreign exchange market, resulting in a significant decline in its value.

Tourists can take advantage of this situation by exchanging their dollars for pesos at a favorable rate, often at currency exchange houses or on the black market.

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Argentina has a unique currency situation for tourists. The Argentine peso quickly loses its value against other currencies due to high inflation.

Using credit cards can be beneficial for tourists as it offers a better exchange rate, often referred to as the tourist exchange rate. For every 1 USD, you can get almost double the amount of pesos.

Some companies may try to take advantage of tourists by increasing the total amount in Argentine pesos to match the official exchange rate.

Argentina has a complex economy, with a history of high inflation. The country's currency, the peso, has been subject to significant fluctuations in value.

Argentina's economy has been heavily influenced by the peso's value, with periods of high inflation causing significant economic instability. The peso's value has been affected by the country's trade balance and foreign investment.

In 2002, Argentina defaulted on its foreign debt, leading to a severe economic crisis. The peso lost nearly 75% of its value against the US dollar in just two months.

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Argentina's economy has also been affected by the country's reliance on soybean exports, which have been a major driver of economic growth. In 2018, soybean exports accounted for over 30% of Argentina's total exports.

The peso's value has also been affected by the country's relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2018, Argentina reached a $56.3 billion loan agreement with the IMF to help stabilize the peso and address the country's fiscal deficit.

Argentina's Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) in 2026 is 1,544.098 USD/ARS.

The PPP has been steadily increasing over the years, with a notable jump from 1,067.440 USD/ARS in 2025 to 1,544.098 USD/ARS in 2026.

The minimum PPP recorded was 0.642 USD/ARS in 2001, while the maximum PPP was 1,544.098 USD/ARS in 2026.

Here's a breakdown of the PPP values for Argentina from 1993 to 2026:

Argentina's PPP is a crucial indicator of the country's economic performance, and its steady increase over the years reflects the country's growing economy.

As a tourist in Argentina, it's essential to understand the local currency situation. The Argentine peso quickly loses its value against other currencies due to high inflation.

Using credit cards is a good option, as you'll get almost double the amount of pesos for your dollars compared to the official exchange rate. This is known as the tourist exchange rate.

Some companies may try to trick you by increasing the total amount in Argentine pesos to match the official exchange rate, so be aware of this.

In Argentina, the value of your American dollars can vary greatly depending on the exchange rate. The official exchange rate is not the best option for travelers, as it's artificially high and doesn't reflect the true value of the peso.

Argentina's inflation rate has been above 25% every year since 2017, with a staggering 95% in 2022 and over 200% in 2023. This has led to a parallel exchange rate for tourists, which can be almost double the official rate.

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To get the best exchange rate, look for places that offer the unofficial or "blue" exchange rate. These currency exchange places, known as "cuevas" or "cambios", will give you a better deal on your American dollars. Be sure to bring pristine and new US $100 bills, as they're the only ones that will be accepted.

One way to get an even better exchange rate is to use services like Western Union. You can wire money to yourself and often get a better rate than the unofficial rate, even after subtracting the wire fee. Just be aware that you may need to get to your pick-up location early, as locations run out of cash quickly.

The Argentine peso's value against other currencies is constantly changing, making it difficult to know the true value of your money. The purchasing power parity (PPP) of the Argentine peso has been as low as 1.544.098 in 2026, making your American dollars go much further than you'd expect.

Here's a rough idea of the exchange rates you can expect:

Carrying a lot of cash may seem risky, but it's a necessary part of traveling in Argentina. The largest bill is only worth about $3 US, so be prepared to stuff your pockets with cash.