Know before you go

Money: do's and don'ts

Legal Currency

The legal currency in Argentina is the Argentine Peso (ARS). There's coins for 1, 2, 5 and 10 pesos and bills with values ranging from 10 pesos to 1000. You'll find different designs as the country is ditching some bills with historical figures that are deemed too controversial and changing them for cute little animals. That's why a 100  peso bill can come with the figure of Roca (a man), Evita Perón (a woman) or a taruca (a deer). They are all valid!


Exchange Rates: explaining the "Dollar Blue"

In Argentina there's lots of government control around foreign currency. But the ARS is a very unstable coin, that suffers from the effects of both devaluation and inflation, which is why most Argentines try to get rid of their ARS and save in USD (or lately, crypto). The unofficial, paralel market has a different exchange rate, and this is called dólar blue.

The difference between the official and unofficial exchange rate can be as much as 150%, but trading in the unofficial market can leave you open to scams -specially fake notes-, so we don't recommend it unless you have a trusted exchanger.


What's the best approach to get the best value for my money?

Bringing USD or EUR in cash, and exchanging them in the city, as ATMs have huge withdrawal fees. Using your credit card is not recommended for value, as all transactions will be done in the official exchange rate.


What do I need to bring to exchange money?

To trade in the legal exchange market you'll need to show your passport. It's a very bureaucratic affair, so set aside at least 30' to go through the exchange. Exchange money in exchange houses, don't try using banks as they usually don't do exchange for tourists.


Should I change money at home and bring ARS?

Absolutely no. The exchange rate for ARS is very bad abroad -and most banks won't even exchange for ARS to begin with!-.


Where should I exchange money?

Preferably, get all the ARS you need in Buenos Aires, as it has the best exchange rates of the coutnry.


Are there ATMs in Argentina?

Yes, but the withdrawal fee is huge and extractions are limited. ATMs have a maximum withdrawal of around the equivalent of US 100 (and, of course, being a legal exchange it will give you the official rate).


Are credit cards widely accepted?

In Buenos Aires, yes, but in many parts of Argentina it's cash only. Most taxis and small business don't take credit cards. Be sure to ask if the place takes credit cards before you order! Remember to bring some sort of ID, as most businesses card to avoid scams.


Are crypto payments widely accepted?

No.


Getting around Argentina

Argentina is absolutely massive. To get around the country there's 3 options: car rental, buses or flights. Travelling by car or bus has a smaller carbon footprint, but it makes transportation time much longer. A flight to Iguazu is around two hours long, driving to Iguazu takes around 18 hours. A flight to Ushuaia takes around 4 hours, driving there takes around 2 days. 

Getting around Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is huge but thankfully very easy to navigate. The city is laid down as a grid, with each block being 100mts by 100mts.


If you want to get around by transportation system you'll need a SUBE card (which you can buy at train stations, subway stations and some kiosks). You top it off with money and just tap your card to enter buses, subways or trains.


Use Google Maps to use the transportation system: it will tell you the easiest way to get any place and even how long you need to wait for your next train!


The buses run 24/7, the subway and trains run approximately (depends on the line) from 5.30am to 11pm.


If you want to move around in a private vehicle you can hire a driver for your stay with us, or use Uber or Cabify.

Is Once a CURSED neighborhood?

By Mariana Radisic Koliren • April 3, 2023
The neighborhood of Once in Buenos Aires is known for many things: its vibrant street life, bustling markets, and diverse mix of cultures. This is, after all, a neighborhood where you will find Chinese, Bolivian, Peruvian, Senegalese and Jewish communities. But there is another side to this lively community, one that is shrouded in darkness and shrouded in mystery. For those who dare to delve into the history of Once, they will find a tale of tragedy and terror that has left a lasting mark on the community.

The Jewish Gauchos - trading kneidelach for asado!

By Mariana Radisic Koliren • January 4, 2023
The Jewish gauchos were a group of Jewish immigrants who took their love for kosher deli sandwiches and matzo ball soup to the wild frontier of the Pampas region in Argentina . These immigrants, mostly from Eastern Europe, were drawn to the Pampas by the promise of land and opportunity (and maybe just a little bit by the thought of being the only Jewish cowboys in town). Many of them had fled persecution and poverty in their home countries and saw Argentina as a place where they could build a better life for themselves and their families. But life as a Jewish gaucho wasn't all latkes and lox: actually, no lox at all in the beef-producing heart of the Americas. These immigrants had to contend with the challenges of settling in a remote and harsh region, including drought, disease, and isolation. Many of them lived in poverty and worked as farmers and ranch hands, enduring physically demanding and often low-paying labor. However, the Jewish gauchos persevered and made a lasting impact on the Pampas region, establishing farms, ranches, and small businesses, and contributing to the growth of the region's agriculture and industry. They also played a vital role in the creation of a Jewish community in Argentina, building synagogues, schools, and cultural centers.

The Argentinian Style - 5 Gestures you have to know before coming!

By Jana Dostert • December 29, 2022
It’s been a few days since I arrived in Buenos Aires for my internship at Lunfarda and I’m only starting to learn about all the cultural differences- it’s the first time I live in a country that is that distinct from mine and, for me, the ways of the Argentines, and their coded body language are still kind of strange. I’m on my way to the bus stop, not paying attention to where I positioned myself. Quickly, a slightly upset-looking person gives me the four-finger-to-one-thumb-pointing-upside-down-sign or as well known as “What do you think you are doing??” This is when I learned that it does not matter that Argentines are disorderly about everything else: the bus line -and its order- is sacred. Quick side Note: You have to wave the bus down at a 45-degree angle arm to the body to stop it! Just telling you because on my first day of university here, I missed about five buses in a row running between the different bus stops until I got to understand that.

La Scaloneta brings glory to Argentina, closure to Messi and a new dawn for an inclusive football

By Mariana Radisic Koliren • December 19, 2022
After 36 years, Argentina wins the World Cup again. Here's what it means to the women of Argentina.

This 2022, we walked the talk. Here's how we transformed words into action and positive impact.

By Mariana Radisic • December 10, 2022
This is what we did for sustainability , historic preservation and equality in the last year.

Don’t take it as an insult, it’s just Argentina

By Jana Dostert • October 5, 2022
Language is a way to show norms, and communicate values. It’s a way of expression, status, and policy that reveals the culture that’s lived in one’s homeland. On the Argentinian menu, language comes with a side of insults, jokes, Lunfardo , and Argentinian history. Don’t assume the speaker’s intention too quickly, and even less if you are from a country with a let’s call it: more subtle -or literal- usage of wording. ⚠WARNING⚠ Some ways of expression might sound harsh but they are often not meant that way. On the contrary, it shows how history is carried along and still lived and spoken day-to-day, mouth-to-mouth among 45 million Argentinians, who are the makers of today’s Lunfardo, the local slang. Which is -indeed, a marvelously unique, and eccentric version of its own. If it’s about the very complex humor that doesn’t only often entail one of the many slang or so-called Lunfardo words but also infinite history-rich anecdotes- including years and years of politics flowing into the subtle humor of an Argentine. Be it a pastry that’s named “Friar balls’ or “Nuns sigh” or a “Vigilant” - coined by the worker's movement, that they are eating in all tranca (chill) while sipping through a Mate’s bombilla , professors quoting the Simpsons in their PowerPoints or a bunch of extremely funny memes digesting the daily life, joking about the president, football, or the seeming immortality of Mirta Legrand, the oldest host of the Argentine TV, who, believe it or not, is still at it at age 95 with the energy of a teen.
a group of afro argentine kids sit by a church with a guide explaining about Black History

Black History Tour for Kids: finally, it's time to give back

By Lunfarda Travel • May 29, 2022
Black kids with tight curls and broad smiles flocked to the gates of the National Historic Museum on a cool, sunny fall afternoon in San Telmo, Buenos Aires. Just their presence there, running freely and playing tag in the patio of the museum seemed like a small act of justice: these kids were laughing and playing on top of an old slave trade market, by a house that had been built by enslaved Black people. Now, 169 years after the abolition of slavery in Argentina, our young audience gathered to experience something momentuous: a Black History Tour to learn the value and the contributions of the Afro-Argentines.

Argentine Money, Explained

By Mariana Radisic • December 6, 2021
Argentine currency is messy . Its value changes daily, there’s an official rate, a parallel “blue” rate, different looking notes, reduced daily ATM withdrawal fees, and navigating it can be frustrating. Do not worry though, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to get the best value for your money when you travel to Buenos Aires and across Argentina.

Our Black Heroine's Homecoming

By Mariana Radisic • December 2, 2021
It was 5.30pm, the print shop was about to close, and our files were in the wrong format . While Analía -known as Afro Ana , a 30 year old digital artist- cursed, I sprinted towards my apartment to get a laptop to hopefully fix the issue. In less than 24hs, on November 20th, the day of Black Awareness on Argentine Black History Month, those files would be turned into the first ever mural about Revolutionary Black Heroine María Remedios del Valle, an obscured character with a Netflix-binging story.

Why is Argentina so OBSESSED with fútbol?

By Agustín Canzani, Fernando Olomudzki • November 19, 2021
Every Argentinian can include a football-related memory as one of their earliest memories. It is either the first World Cup match you got to watch, a historical goal by your favourite team, or just playing a good old picadito on the streets of your neighborhood. Don't get us wrong, though, not everyone is maniacally obsessed with the sport. It just happens that most of us are. The truth is that barely anybody can remain indifferent about football in Argentina, as it has played a central role in the development of the folk of our country. Whether we like it or not, fútbol as a practice is deeply interwoven with our history and its events; people have extended the jargon used in the pitch, recalling it heavily for everyday things regardless of age or gender * . Others denounce the show-biz around it, pointing out its use as a distraction from every other thing, from organised gang violence to the atrocity of state sponsored terrorism decades ago.
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Buenos Aires FAQ ping pong

Is Buenos Aires safe?

Yes, Buenos Aires is very safe. There's very little violent crime, but as in any big city, beware of pickpockets in crowded areas, avoid leaving your phone on the table while you go to the restroom.


How long should I stay in Buenos Aires?

There's always great things to do in Buenos Aires and it's definitely worth staying for at least 3/4 days.


Where should I stay in Buenos Aires?

Depends on what you like! Palermo has nightlife, shopping and great restaurants. San Telmo is full of history, great food and shopping. Puerto Madero is very modern and high end and very safe to walk about even in the dead of night. Recoleta and Retiro are very elegant and classy, but don't have a great nightlife. If you need help picking an area, talk to us!


Is tap water safe?

Tap water is absolutely safe, so bring your reusable water bottle as you can recharge it with fresh, clean water at any restaurant or business -absolutely for free-.


What's the tipping situation?

Tipping is expected in some situations. In restaurants it is customary to leave 10% of your bill in cash after the meal. Only high end restaurant accept tips via credit card. Tour guides ,private drivers and bellboys are usually tipped as well. Taxis, Ubers and other forms of transportation do not require tipping.