i am leaving for buenos aires in less than 48 hours!!!
im super stoked, but have a few last minute questions...
1. should i bring with me (exchange beforehand) cash? how much? and what currency (american $ or argentinan pesos)?
2.should i bring my credit card (visa) or is just having the number with me enough (i will only be using it for prebooking hostels if at all)
3.should i get travellers cheques? (if yes how many and what denominations?)
4. is it worth it getting malaria pills? (i am planning to visit the rainforest from cusco, but even if i was to get malaria it is treatable isnt it?)
5. when staying at a hostel, should i keep my passport at the desk safe, or keep it with me in my moneybelt at all times?
thanx!
Reply to this Dont change the cash until you get there. Generally/always you will get a better rate in the destination. Try to find out if you can get a better rate at the airport or in the city. Then if the rate is better at the airport change a few hundred dollars worth(presuming you will be in Argentina for a couple of weeks at least. ). Changing large amounts at a time is often cheaper because sometimes a fee applies. Also cash is cheaper to change so bring a few hundred in cash for the first exchange.
Ask a trusted friend or family member at home to hold your credit card. Then you can ask her/him to do the bookings for you from home. I usually get my boyfriend who is usually at home when I travel to do it.
Travellers cheques?? I suppose so if you dont have some kind of debit card.
Get Malaria pills if you are going to a Malaria risk region. Yes Malaria is curable but prevention is much more advisable. Although Malaria is curable it can kill. Look on the (World Health Organisation)WHO site to find out if you are going to a high risk region.
If there is a safe where you can use your own pad lock or if the hostel staff have a good reputation(ask others staying there if they leave their passports with the staff) then leave it in the desk safe.
Reply to this Just to add to Mell's replies:
1. Don't change money in the airport, you'll get a better rate in banks in the centre. There's a shuttle bus from the airport that accepts USD. Generally, dollars are not accepted as much as you might expect in BA.
3. Travellers cheques in my experience are more hassle than they're worth. Taking two debit cards and keeping them separate is a better option.
4. It's best to err on the side of caution. A good malaria for travellers is http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/. They have clickable maps showing the prevalance of malaria worldwide
5. Take a few copies of your passport with you for your moneybelt. I generally don't bother with hotel safes as most places in SA are secure.
Reply to this thanx for the advice to both of you, i really appreciate it.
regarding passport security; when i travelled europe i had my passport on me (in moneybelt) at all times (clubs, bars, day trips etc).... is this not recommended in south america in general?
(i just always felt more secure having it on me instead of it being protected by some padlock that could be broken off if someone really wanted to)
Reply to this Yeah, have it on you if there is no place you trust as safe enough to leave it. I think somebody already mentioned having copies of it sent to your email. That will speed up getting a new one in the unlucky event that you lose it. Another option is to leave a copy with a friend or family member at home so they can contact the consulate for you and do all the explaining. Then you wont have to battle with a foreign phone system and wont have to make unnecessary trips to the consulate. That is what I usually do. I leave photocopies of my passport and plane tickets with my boyfriend. You could do the same with your insurance policy if you have one.
Reply to this Jrok
1. All the recommendations above all well. In my opinion, I would exchange at least $60 at the airport. You will always need money. You can exchange this money at the airport. Right when you pass ‘customs’ on your right hand side you will find an ‘exchange place’, just change a few bucks.
2. Taking your credit card with you is a great option. Its easy, faster and safer for you to use.
Also many stores in Buenos Aaires are offering ‘tax free’. If you are spending more than $70 pesos ( USD $24)ask for this form , where you have to fill it out and take it with you. Keep it and bring it to the airport once you return.
3. If you are taking your credit card ,then you won’t need the traveler checks.
4. I haven’t heard about Malaria in long time, but if taking the pills with you will make you feel safe then take them in case.
5. I would strongly recommend NOT to take the passport with you. Take your passport ONLY if you don’t feel safe to leave it at the hostel/hotel. The hotel should have a safe box. I would trust more the hotel.
Making copies of the passport is a great idea. It will simplify your future problems ( hope you won’t have any).
More tips:
* Places you can visit: Puerto Madero, Plaza Serrano, Las Canitas, Recoleta arts and crafts fairs (Sunday is great) same with San Telmo arts and crafts fairs. Also Museum of Modern Art.
* Keep the coins!! Coins are pure gold in Argentina!...is like the quarters in here for the meters!. Even more if your planning to travel in Bus.
* If you have to take taxis take the ‘radio taxis’ .
I wish you the best!,
Enjoy your trip!..
Reply to this good tips, thanx Alemann sisters, and Mell....
anyhow im here!!!!!!!
woooo hoooo!!!
it awesome...so much life and character.... i havent even been to that many places yet either...
(and not to mention that im drinking a ¨brahma¨ 1L ber which cost me 2.50 pesos which is less than a buck)
too bad my main pack didnt make it.... some baggage carrier fuct up alng the way somewhere..... hopefully it will get here soon
Reply to this You will probably get your bag soon. That happened to me when I flew to Estonia. The airport arrivals area was full of lost bags and general chaos so I didnt hold up much hope that my bag would be found. They found it and delivered it to the hostel next day. 😊
Reply to this We wish you the best!!!we hope your bag gets in your hands soon!! GOOD LUCK in you trip!
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