Santiago Travel Forum

Will be in Chile and Argentina in November,December & January and would like to get some Chile & Argentinian money before I get there but don't know what denomination notes to get. I only want enough to cover me for a few days while I get my act together and plan on paying for accomodation etc by CC. but I've grown used to expect the unexpected when travelling and want to make my arrival in Chile & Argentina as easy as possible, any advise greatly appreciated.

Use debit card at ATMs to withdraw cash. Take a few cash US$ as a reserve.

All the international airports have places to exchange money and the rates aren't all that bad. If you're going across a land border crossing you would be wise to know the rate and do some math ahead of time. To just get a cab to the hotel $20 is plenty in Chile (unless you're staying at a high end hotel) and I don't know about Argentina. If you'll be a few days get $40 or $50. When you see what the exchange is you'll know what to ask for in the ATM. ATMs RULE as far as international travel goes.

Not sure how the exchange rates are down under but in the USA if I buy Argentine pesos here the rate is 2.77 to the $. In Argentina I get closer to 3.14 to the dollar. So I hit the Atm when I arrive at the airport in Buenos Aires.
suerte
SAM

If I was you I would just bring some US dollars to keep you going before using an ATM machines. In major towns its easy to chaneg US dollars. Chris

Forgot to mention that in Argentina if you get money out of an ATM or from a cambio, always make sure you get smaller change. For instance at an ATM instead of asking for $300 pesos key in $290 or $280 so you get smaller bills otherwise you will get 3 $100 peso bills which can be difficult to use in shops and almost impossible to pay for a taxi.
suete
SAM

Good advice all the above. You won't have any problemas exchanging your money down here.

beware thought! yesterday, it was around $510= 1USD ..and sometimes they don't want to accept dolars when they have stains,marks or anything you might think it doesn´t matter ..well..they do..so you better check it ahead of time and make sure it's perfect