Argentina
Cards, ATMs and cash in Argentina: what to expect
Cards are widely accepted in Buenos Aires and in most hotels, restaurants and supermarkets nationwide, so most travellers can pay by card for the bulk of a trip. Carry some peso cash for taxis, small shops, provincial towns and tips. Withdraw from bank-branded ATMs in daytime, decline the machine's own conversion, and pay in pesos.
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GuideArgentina
Key facts
- Cards accepted
- Widely in Buenos Aires, hotels, supermarkets, chain restaurants; less so in small shops and rural areas
- Cash still needed
- Taxis, small kiosks, markets, tips, provincial towns
- ATM feescheck
- Foreign-card withdrawals carry a fee plus a per-transaction limit; amounts vary by bank — check
- Best ATM habit
- Use bank-branded machines inside branches or malls, in daytime
- Currency choice at the terminal
- Pay in Argentine pesos (ARS), not your home currency
- Cards to carry
- A Visa or Mastercard credit card plus a debit card, from two different banks
- Contactlesscheck
- Common in Buenos Aires for cards and for the SUBE transit card — check
Details
Argentina runs on a mix of cards and cash, and the balance shifts by city. In Buenos Aires, cards work almost everywhere: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, museum ticket desks and ride apps. Outside the big cities, and in the Northwest and Patagonia, smaller shops, family restaurants, market stalls and some guesthouses still prefer cash, so keep a float of pesos.
ATMs are common in cities but are the weakest link for foreign visitors. Withdrawal limits per transaction are low by international standards, fees are charged on top of your own bank's charges, and machines sometimes run out of cash on weekends and holidays. Take out larger amounts less often, and use ATMs attached to a bank branch during opening hours rather than a lone machine on a street corner at night.
When the machine or the card terminal offers to convert the amount into your home currency, decline. That conversion is done at a rate set by the machine or the merchant, not by your bank, and it usually costs more. Always choose to be charged in Argentine pesos and let your own bank do the conversion.
Cards from Visa and Mastercard are the most reliable. American Express is accepted at larger hotels and some restaurants but not everywhere. Contactless payment is now common in Buenos Aires, including on parts of the transit network with a bank card, but do not rely on it outside the capital.
Keep a backup. Carry a second card from a different bank, stored separately from your main one, and have a small amount of US dollars or a digital payment option as a fallback. Report a lost card to your bank immediately; app-based blocking is faster than waiting for a phone line.
- Carry a Visa or Mastercard credit card and a debit card from two different banks.
- Keep enough peso cash for a day of taxis, snacks and tips.
- Use bank-branch ATMs in daytime; avoid lone machines at night.
- Decline any offer to charge you in your home currency.
- Keep your bank's app installed so you can freeze a card instantly.
| Situation | Card | Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires hotels and restaurants | Yes | Fine |
| Supermarkets and chain pharmacies | Yes | Fine |
| Small shops, kiosks, markets | Sometimes | Preferred |
| Taxis and ride apps | Apps yes; street taxis cash | Carry small notes |
| Provincial towns and rural areas | Often no | Needed |
| Tips | Sometimes | Cash is the norm |
| Museum and attraction tickets | Usually yes | Fine |
Acceptance varies by business; treat this as a guide, not a rule (check).
Summary table
A quick reference for the decisions that matter most on the ground.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Are cards widely accepted? | Yes in cities and for most travel spending; less so in small towns |
| Do I still need cash? | Yes, for taxis, small shops, markets and tips |
| Which ATMs are best? | Bank-branded machines inside branches or malls, in daytime |
| Local currency or mine? | Always Argentine pesos (ARS) |
| What if my card is refused? | Try another card, then cash; keep a backup card separate |
| Is contactless common? | Increasingly in Buenos Aires; patchy elsewhere (check) |
Tips
Withdraw in larger amounts less often to reduce the number of fees you pay, but do not carry more cash than you need for a few days. Split cash between a wallet, a bag and a hotel safe.
Small notes matter. Many small vendors struggle to give change for large notes, so break big bills at supermarkets or chain stores and keep a supply of smaller ones.
Tell your bank you are travelling, or check that its app allows overseas use without a block. Some banks flag the first Argentine transaction as suspicious.
Keep receipts for card payments and check your statement after the trip; if a charge looks wrong, dispute it through your bank rather than the merchant.
For day-to-day budgeting, plan on cards for accommodation, flights and sit-down meals, and cash for transport, markets and tips. See the money and tipping page for how much to leave.
- Break large notes at supermarkets, not at small kiosks.
- Split cash and cards between two places.
- Notify your bank before you fly.
- Keep your bank's fraud number saved offline.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Are credit cards widely accepted in Argentina?
Yes in Buenos Aires and for most travel spending: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and attraction tickets. Acceptance drops in small towns, markets and family-run places, so carry peso cash as well.
Which ATMs have the lowest fees in Argentina?
Fees and withdrawal limits vary by bank and change often, so there is no fixed cheapest option. Bank-branded machines inside branches or shopping centres are generally the safer and more reliable choice; compare the fee shown on screen before confirming (check).
Should I pay in local currency or my own?
Always choose Argentine pesos (ARS). If the machine or terminal offers to convert to your home currency, decline it; that rate is set by the operator and usually costs more than your bank's conversion.
Do I need cash in Argentina?
Yes, for taxis, small kiosks, markets, provincial towns and tips. Cards cover most big-ticket spending, but a day without peso cash can be awkward outside the main cities.
Is contactless payment common in Argentina?
It is increasingly common in Buenos Aires, including on parts of the transit network with a bank card, but coverage is patchy elsewhere. Carry a physical card and some cash as backup (check).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check