Paying in Argentina: Cards, Cash and Hotel VAT Refund

What exchange rate will you get?

The Central Bank publishes a daily reference rate. The BCRA series put the US dollar at ARS 1,516 on 23 September 2026, moving between ARS 1,506.50 and 1,516 over the previous week. Banco de la Nación Argentina, the state bank, showed these rates the same afternoon:

The BCRA's foreign-exchange rules treat spending in Argentina by non-residents with cards issued abroad, and payments through foreign e-wallets, as tourism service exports that come in through the regulated exchange market (Exterior y Cambios, point 2.2.2.3, updated to 14 September 2026). That puts card spending on the official market, but no BCRA rule sets the rate your own bank or card network uses to convert pesos into your home currency. That rate, and any foreign transaction fee, comes from your card issuer.

Card or cash: which to use where

This table combines the tax rules, the exchange-market rules and the payment options on public transport with the situations in which you will actually pay.

For transport, the SUBE page on new payment methods says contactless Visa and Mastercard cards "of any bank" work on SUBE buses across the metropolitan area at the registered-user fare. It does not say whether cards issued abroad are included, so test yours on the first ride. The Buenos Aires airport guide shows the fare difference on the airport bus.

How does the hotel VAT exemption for foreign tourists work?

Argentina's general VAT rate is 21%, set by article 28 of the VAT law. Decree 1043/2016 extended a VAT refund on accommodation for foreign tourists to the whole country. In practice the hotel simply does not collect the tax, and the procedure is set out in Joint General Resolution 3971/2016.

Who qualifies. Nationality does not matter. The rule covers any person who enters Argentina without habitual residence there and stays within the maximum period allowed by immigration law. A foreign citizen who lives in Argentina does not qualify.

What is covered. Accommodation and breakfast when breakfast is included in the room price. This applies whether you book directly or through a licensed travel agency. Other meals, goods and services must be invoiced separately and do not qualify. Cancellation and no-show charges do not qualify either.

How you must pay. With an international credit or debit card issued abroad, or by a transfer of foreign currency from a bank abroad, in a way that clearly identifies the guest. At payment, the hotel must check that the card was issued abroad or that the transfer comes from a foreign bank.

What the hotel must do. Only VAT-registered businesses (responsables inscriptos) can apply it. They identify every guest, ask to see a foreign passport or foreign identity document, with the migration entry record where relevant, and issue an electronic type "T" invoice. ARCA states that type T invoices have been mandatory for these stays since 1 September 2017.

What to do if the hotel charges VAT anyway

• The hotel is not VAT-registered. If the hotel or host is not registered, it does not charge VAT, so there is nothing to remove.
• You paid in cash or with an Argentine card. The exemption does not apply. Ask to repay the room with a card issued abroad before the invoice is issued.
• You paid with a foreign card but received a type A or B invoice with VAT. Ask the front desk to cancel it and issue a type T invoice before you check out. The resolution makes the type T invoice the only valid document for these stays, so the hotel cannot apply the exemption without it.

Tax-free shopping refund on goods

A separate scheme refunds VAT on goods made in Argentina that you take home. ARCA says it applies in shops showing the TAX FREE logo, on purchases above ARS 70. Ask for the refund cheque and a type B invoice, with imported goods invoiced separately.

General Resolution 5843/2026, published on 6 May 2026, made the departure check digital, starting at Ezeiza airport. When you leave, validate the refund first at a self-service kiosk or app, where you are assigned a control channel. If the channel is red, or no kiosk is working, go to the customs post with the goods, refund cheque, invoice, passport and boarding pass. You can take the refund in cash at the refund operator's desk, or on a credit card issued abroad, or by a payment sent to your home address.

How much cash should you bring?

Bringing US dollars in cash is legal within limits. ARCA's customs rules allow sums below USD 10,000 or its equivalent to enter and leave freely. Larger amounts need a special declaration on form OM 2249A on arrival, and on departure larger sums must go by bank transfer. The limit for children under 16 is USD 5,000.

Change dollars at a bank or an authorised exchange office, and compare the offer with Banco Nación's cash buying rate. Changing pesos back is restricted. Under point 3.13.1.5 of the BCRA rules, a non-resident can buy back foreign cash for travel of up to USD 100 equivalent across all banks. The bank must first check in the BCRA's online system that you sold at least that amount in the previous 90 days.

We could not find an official source for cash-machine withdrawal limits or fees for foreign cards. They are set by each bank and shown on screen before you confirm, so check them at the machine.

If you are driving in the northwest, the Salta car rental guide covers licences and road conditions.