Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Good to know if you go to Argentina Good to know if you go to Argentina
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By VoxanManiac
  • 2 Post By stevedo

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Dec 2020
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Buenos Aires
Posts: 6
Good to know if you go to Argentina
Hi
As often here, there can be an offical exchange rate and an unoffical one (called Dolar Blue).

So if going to Argentina, it is better to have cash or use WesternUnion to send money from your bank account to yourself in Argentina.

Official Rate for u$ is 1u$=85 pesos
Western union rate 1.00 USD = 141.7100 ARS

so that you know...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 16 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 834
Quote:
Originally Posted by VoxanManiac View Post
Hi
As often here, there can be an offical exchange rate and an unoffical one (called Dolar Blue).

So if going to Argentina, it is better to have cash or use WesternUnion to send money from your bank account to yourself in Argentina.

Official Rate for u$ is 1u$=85 pesos
Western union rate 1.00 USD = 141.7100 ARS

so that you know...
The Exchange rate offered by western union is even better than the "inofficial" bluedolar.net!

Thank s for that tip!

I had to edit my previous Post

The times with walking away with "dealers" like guys in the streets of buenps aires seems to be away :-)

Surfy
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Dec 2020
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Buenos Aires
Posts: 6
in nearly every big city there is what is called "cuevas" that make you the change. Often there are travel agencies or offical exchange but that change it without registering it.

When you arrive somewhere you just ask at your hostal if they know one ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Dec 2020
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 588
Offshore bank transfer
Both Argentina and Venezuela have deep economic issues. The official exchange rate and 'private' exchange rates are wildly different. Why are locals willing to pay more for foreign currency? I heard there is a lack of faith in the stability of their own currency. They are looking for some stability.

Take USD or euros with you when entering these countries, then trade anywhere except in a bank. I have exchanged USD on the street in a few countries with cambio guys on the street. They often wear safety vests and caps. In Peru, you get a better rate than in the bank, less time while forms are processed, and the good cambio guys stamp the bills with their personal seal to ensure they are you are not receiving counterfeit bills.

In Argentina and Venezuela, I moved funds from my US bank account to a local friend's US bank account (free within the same bank), then they gave me local currency. This is hard to do if you are traveling hard and fast.

Remember to spend all of the money before leaving Argentina or Venezuela. Fill up your gas tank, buy snacks, whatever, because you'll get a bad exchange rate in the next country...
__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Jan 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 53
We're currently in Argentina. Been in Esquel since 9th March 2020 having been caught out by Covid. I use Western Union to send money to myself and collect it at one of the local kiosks.

Official rate is about 114 pesos for my British pound.
Western Union rate is 192 pesos for my British pound.

I think the reason that the WU rate is so good is that inflation here is about 50% per annum. So if you have 100 pesos it will effectively be worth about 50 pesos in 12 months time. Of course, my British pound will still probably be worth more or less 1 GBP. So they are playing a slightly longer game in order to be quids in a little further down the line.

For us it has meant that our time here in lockdown Argentina has been pretty cheap. An added bonus is that the Argentinian wine is great and also very cheap.

Happy new year all
Steve
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Jan 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Nelson NZ
Posts: 92
Of all the places to be stuck Esquel. The wind is the main thing I recall about that place. Was so strong on the afternoon we arrived there from the north the police were stopping high trucks and camper vans. We stopped ourselves from about 3.00 pm until 4.00. It was not easy to find a place to park the bikes where they were not blown over.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Jan 2021
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: opelousas la
Posts: 74
Argentina has had this problem for decades. When I was down there I supported myself by doing a side gig as a part time money changer. Made a lot of friends among the locals and the travelers.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Aug 2021
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: In Ireland, Working to save for the next trip
Posts: 291
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevedo View Post
We're currently in Argentina. Been in Esquel since 9th March 2020 having been caught out by Covid. I use Western Union to send money to myself and collect it at one of the local kiosks.

Official rate is about 114 pesos for my British pound.
Western Union rate is 192 pesos for my British pound.

I think the reason that the WU rate is so good is that inflation here is about 50% per annum. So if you have 100 pesos it will effectively be worth about 50 pesos in 12 months time. Of course, my British pound will still probably be worth more or less 1 GBP. So they are playing a slightly longer game in order to be quids in a little further down the line.

For us it has meant that our time here in lockdown Argentina has been pretty cheap. An added bonus is that the Argentinian wine is great and also very cheap.

Happy new year all
Steve
Was stuck in Esquel for about a month waiting on parts in 2014 or so. Stayed in the camp site, and paid part of our fee by giving the camp site owner 2 bicycles we had with us. Seem to recall a great icecream shop in town, and and a steam engined train that was pretty cool.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
argentina, money, tips

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Across Americas - Discovering the New World on a motorcycle AnjinSan Ride Tales 98 29 May 2013 05:17
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination South America 20 30 Oct 2009 18:02

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:22.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top