South America

Money, cards and tipping in Argentina

Capital: Buenos AiresSpanish, English, Italian, GermanUpdated October 2026

ARSPeso

Money in Argentina

Mixed: cards and cash Foreign cards are charged near the market rate, so cards are usually fine. Many shops give discounts for cash or transfer; carry some pesos. US$1 ≈ $1,523.09 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Leave about 10% in restaurants, ideally in cash; the 'cubierto' cover charge isn't a tip. Rounding up is enough for taxis.
ATMs: Banelco and Link ATMs take foreign cards but charge a high flat fee per withdrawal with low limits.
Paying by phone: Contactless cards and phone wallets work at most terminals; Mercado Pago QR codes need a local account.
Price level: about 46% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Buenos Aires	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work in most restaurants, cafés and shops; cash for kiosks, markets, some taxis and tips. Cash and transfer discounts are common.
Mendoza	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work in most restaurants and hotels; cash helps at markets, small wineries, kiosks and some taxis.
Bariloche	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels and most restaurants; cash for small cafés, kiosks, buses (card needed), taxis and discounts. ATMs sometimes run empty in high season.
El Calafate	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in most hotels, restaurants and tour offices; carry cash for taxis, small cafés and the park gate, as ATMs can run empty.
El Chaltén	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in most restaurants and shops, but cash is needed when the network drops; ATMs are few and often empty. Bring pesos from Calafate.
Ushuaia	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, restaurants and tour offices; cash for small cafés, taxis and kiosks. ATMs can run empty in cruise season.
Salta	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, restaurants and shops in Salta; cash for markets, small towns, taxis and day trips, especially to Cachi and Cafayate.
Puerto Iguazú	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, restaurants and the park; cash for buses, small shops, border crossings and some taxis. Argentine pesos are widely accepted at exchange houses.
Córdoba	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work in most places; keep some cash for kiosks, small shops, markets and discount-for-cash deals.
Puerto Madryn	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in most restaurants, hotels and tour agencies; cash for small cafés, kiosks and national park fees at some sites.
Mar del Plata	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work in most restaurants, hotels and beach clubs; cash for kiosks, beach stalls, small shops and some taxis.
Quebrada de Humahuaca	Mostly cash	Cash is needed in most villages; cards work at some hotels and restaurants, but connections fail. Bring pesos from Jujuy or Salta; ATMs are few.
Cafayate	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in hotels, wine shops and many restaurants; cash for small cafés, market stalls, tours and taxis. ATMs can run out on weekends.
Rosario	Mixed: cards and cash	Foreign cards usually work at near-market rates. Many places offer discounts for cash or transfer; carry pesos for markets, kiosks and buses.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Argentina?

Leave about 10% in restaurants, ideally in cash; the 'cubierto' cover charge isn't a tip. Rounding up is enough for taxis.

Is Argentina cashless?

Mixed: cards and cash. Foreign cards are charged near the market rate, so cards are usually fine. Many shops give discounts for cash or transfer; carry some pesos.

What currency does Argentina use?

The Peso (ARS). US$1 ≈ $1,523.09 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.