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• FAQ

Money Issues

Currency

The official currency is the Peso. There are 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 bills, and coins of 1 peso, 5 cents, 10, 25 and 50 cents.

Buys – IVA (sales tax) Return

In Argentina you will find thousands of stores selling a wide variety of products, from the most traditional and natives to the most famous brands. The Added Value Tax (IVA) amounts to 21%. As a non-citizen, you can get this tax reimbursed in purchases above $70, in selected stores; these stores are identified with the logo “Tax Free Shopping”. For each purchase you will get a Global Refund check with the reimbursement amount. These checks are the only legal way to get your reimbursement. Don’t let some stores fool you when they say just the receipt is enough, without the check you will not get reimbursed. Don’t forget: in order to get your reimbursement, the Global Refund checks MUST get stamped by a customs officer when you leave the country. You can cash your refund in Argentina at the airport, or at any of the other 200 international locations outside the country.

Exchange – Credit Cards

Even though the US Dollars and Euros are generally accepted, the currency exchange can be done at banks and exchange stores. The most popular credit cards are Amex, VISA, Diners and MasterCard. There can be some difficulties with the exchange of traveler’s checks outside Buenos Aires.

Business Hours

Banks and Exchange Stores: Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Commercial offices: Generally from 9 AM to 12PM and from 2 to 7 PM

Stores and Shops: in the big cities from 9 AM to 8 PM, although in the country they usually close at midday, on Saturdays the business hours are from 9 AM to 1PM.

Coffee stores and pizza restaurants: These are open usually from 6 AM to 2 AM.

Restaurants: lunch is served from 12:30 PM and dinner from 8:30 PM. There are also many 24 hour fast food restaurants.

Tips

It is usual to give a 10% of the total check at coffee shops and restaurants, also it is usual to give tips to doormen, bellboys and theater seat attendants