Buenos Aires Arbolitos
 

Looking at the FX rates to be had in Buenos Aires this week, and it looks like there's a massive difference between the official rate of 4.6 to the USD and the black market rate of 7.something.

I've read elsewhere on the interweb that the best place to go for black market FX is on Florida Street between Cordoba and Corrientes. Though the experience seems to involve finding someone in the street, going to a shady place and transacting, which makes me wonder....

Has anyone changed black market currency in BA? Did it go smoothly? Any special tricks to watch out for?

Thanks in advance

los arbolitos
 

Hola,

I did not change in BsAs, but I did it many times in Salta on the plaza and never had a problem.

But my advise is: be careful, dont change too much at a time (because of the risk), go with a friend, check that the money you get is not fake (I always look at the metal stripe on the note), always bargain a little bit for the rate ... better would be of course to change with somebody you know, or at a hotel, but most of the time they dont give you as much as on the street.

Suerte
Mika

Or ...pull money out of a cash machine in a neighbouring country and change it to pesos there...I m getting a 10 pesos for one Euro here in Paraguay this way.

Best way to visit Argentina is ...to land in Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile or Bolivia.

When you arrive to Argentina, you are allowed tochange 500 dollars. After that,you have to go to the black market. I wouldn't change the money in Florida street because it's not a place to carry money and it's not a safe place to be.

exhange rate today
 

The current exchange rate in the paralell market (blue market) is $ 6.90-7.20 per dollar (depending on the volume).
Don't use your credit card. Is much better cash payments.

If you speak some spanish I wouldnt worry too much about the arbolitos on florida and lavalle. Ask a few different ones to get a feel for the going rate. Its currently very high. If you want to exchange a large amount (maybe 1000 plus) there are better options, but I have never had a single problem with the arbolitos. if you dont feel secure on the street, I can buy your dollars at a good rate. I dont have any history on the board, but i am here shopping for a US bike in buenos aires.