Post: #101

(10-21-2013 03:06 PM)portofmanteau Wrote:  

(10-20-2013 05:58 PM)Arg expert Wrote:  If you use your US or European-issued credit card at an ATM in Uruguay, if I remember well, the ATM will surely NOT offer you the option of withdrawing in US dollars... you will get Uruguayan pesos, a limited amount per withdrawal, and at a cost (minimum 3 dollars per withdrawal, if not more)... Only people who have local accounts in dollars, at a local Bank, can get dollars direct from the ATM in Uruguay, if I remember right...

Unless things have changed since May, this isn't true, though not all Uruguayan ATMs have a dollar option. Foreigners can withdraw USD in Uruguay without a problem.

What you're saying does apply to Argentina, however - Argentines can withdraw USD from their Argentine bank only if they have a USD-denominated account.

Well, indeed there have been some recent changes with the ATM rules in Uruguay, I think... because lots of Argentines crossed the Rio de la Plata to get USD from ATMs in Uruguay, queuing like crazy and all... So, the Argentine Government put some restrictions in place, some limits on cash withdrawal... but yeah, probably, logically, as a US foreigner it does not apply to you...
But who cares, thing is, do bring cash! ATMs are costly and limited and pain in the neck, in Argentina, so, do bring cash, do not be afraid, nobody will rob you at Ezeiza airport,... well, maybe something in your luggage lol, but not the cash in your pockets The road from the airport to city center is safe, you will not be robbed. Bring cash.

Post: #102

(10-21-2013 03:46 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

(10-21-2013 12:36 PM)Arg expert Wrote:  If you do sell your usd on black m., sell just 200 usd, get the almost 2000 pesos, check the banknotes against the light, taking your time. Repeat process. Repeat process. Until you have changed all of your usd.

You may also want to wait until after the elections, to see what will happen with the peso, lol.

I actually meant to ask about this and now you reminded me. I would be worried that exchanging money on the black market would mean I end up with a pocket full of counterfeit pesos if I don't know what to look out for or have a connection that I trust.

Yeah, better to sell your usd to an Argentine friend or your landlady... even some locutorios-call centers will take your usd, discreetly, at a very good price...

On the Florida street... it is not the best option... I don't like some dodgy people there... but if you change there, yes, change little by little, 200 usd at a time, and check the 100 pesos notes you receive... against the light for watermarks, and also, some change of color when you tip the banknote (tinta de variabilidad optica), and also the "complementacion frente dorso", the number 100 being visible from both sides... but, there is also a new banknote put in place by the President in September.!.. so, yes, check carefully... there should be a 'hilo de seguridad', thin vertical watermark with the words: BCRA 100, repeat...

Look at this webpage: http://www.bcra.gov.ar/bilmon/bm010600.asp

(One word of advice (and disclaimer ) :
Changing like that on a street might well be illegal, so I don't advise it. )

In any case, be discreet. Don't get caught by mister Moreno!

But well, to sum it up, dont worry that much, you'll make soon Argentine friends and they will buy your usd from you, easy and safe... wait until you've made Argentine friends, which shouldn't be long, and change with them.

Post: #103

(10-21-2013 01:05 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Are you expecting the rate of exchange to be more favorable towards the dollar after the elections?

And when will they be held?

The earliest I could go to BA would be in late January.

Thanks for your help gentlemen.

Elections are to be held in a few days...

Peso might dive a bit after the elections... Argentine Govt might let it slide a bit against the dollar, after these elections...

Post: #104

(10-22-2013 08:59 PM)Arg expert Wrote:  

(10-21-2013 01:05 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Are you expecting the rate of exchange to be more favorable towards the dollar after the elections?

And when will they be held?

The earliest I could go to BA would be in late January.

Thanks for your help gentlemen.

Elections are to be held in a few days...

Peso might dive a bit after the elections... Argentine Govt might let it slide a bit against the dollar, after these elections...

Besides the elections, the central bank is reportedly quickly running out of their remaining foreign currency reserves and so the government will be unable to pay off their debt interest, which require US dollars. As such, expect even further increased currency volatility in the coming months and a potential currency crisis. Whether this will work in favor or against a traveller in the short-term is anyone's guess.

Post: #105

(10-22-2013 08:54 PM)Arg expert Wrote:  In any case, be discreet. Don't get caught by mister Moreno!

Post: #106

Is mister Moreno reading this very forum??

Because just a few hours ago, he sent his men to check on people on the calle Florida, and scare off foreigners :

"Personal de la Policía Federal junto a inspectores de la AFIP y el Banco Central, todos con chalecos bien visibles, se mostraron en grupo sobre la calle Florida para desalentar la compra y venta de dólares, sobre todo de los turistas que se acercan a quienes promocionan a viva voz "cambio, cambio".

Los estrictos controles llegaron a la calle Florida después de un día en el que tanto el titular de la CNV, Alejandro Vanoli, como el senador Aníbal Fernández, uno de los espadachines verbales del Gobierno, hablaran del precio de la divisa."

So, looks like mister Moreno has his eye on Fisto here! The man is legendary, you know (mister Moreno)... nothing escapes him...