1. Bring a debit card to withdraw pesos from Banelco ATM machines located around the city at banks. Transactions can be done in English after entering your 4-digit PIN. You can withdraw only pesos (in $10/20/50/100 denominations). Some banks allow only customer withdrawals, so a notice to this effect will be posted. I recommend Citibank locations since your card isn't retained by the ATM during your transaction and has to be reinserted for another transaction. Most Banelcos retain the card and ask if you want to make another transaction before returning the card.
2. Do not carry a lot of cash with you at any time, especially when going to the milongas. And by all means, do not carry your credit cards when going around the city or to the milongas. 3. Learn to recognize authentic pesos. False ones are always circulating. Pesos will be checked in one of several ways to assure they are authentic. If you pay a taxi driver with a large bill, you may get change with counterfeit pesos. Do not change your dollars for pesos with someone on the street. Do this only at a bank. Make sure that you have pesos in small denominations for paying taxis, entradas, etc., because no one usually has change. 4. If you bring dollars to change for pesos, bring only new bills in $20/$50$100 denominations. US Currency which is old, torn or written on probably won't be accepted for purchases and/or exchange. 5. Neighborhood stores, buses and subways, post offices only accept pesos. Dollars are accepted in the shopping mall stores where they cater to tourists. The dollar is worth 3 pesos or more in these stores. 6. Travelers cheques are bothersome since you have to wait in lines to cash them and often have to pay a service fee. 7. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Usually between the hours of 3:00-4:00 the machines are being restocked with bills, so avoid going at this time to withdraw money. 8. Do ATM transactions during the day if you are withdrawing a large amount of cash and then return to your room to leave it there. Don't carry it around with you all day and especially not to the milongas where it can be easily taken from your purse. Carry only the amount of cash you know you will need. 9. Don't wait until Sunday night to withdraw money. The ATMs are stocked on Friday afternoon and will not be restocked until Monday. You may have to go to several places to find one that has money. 10. Expect to encounter people asking you for money--on the street, in the restaurants, on the subway, everywhere. You will realize the serious economic crisis Argentina is facing. Don't open your purse to take out your wallet. It would be better to have small change ready in your pocket. Also, get accustomed to having money in hand to pay the entrada (5 pesos or less) when you enter a milonga. Have a great visit to Buenos Aires--free of money problems. Pichi de Buenos Aires www.totango.net/milongueros.html
