ATM Fees in Argentina
Argentine Peso (ARS) • Updated April 2026
Argentina has complex currency dynamics with high inflation and multiple exchange rates. MAJOR UPDATE: Foreign Visa and Mastercard payments now receive the MEP Rate (very close to the Blue Dollar rate). You no longer need to carry bricks of cash for every meal. Cash is still useful for small vendors and occasional 10-15% discounts.
Tips for Argentina
- • Cards now get the MEP rate - very close to Blue Dollar! Use cards for most purchases.
- • Cash still useful for small vendors and occasional 10-15% discounts at some businesses
- • ATM limits are very low (often only $100-200 USD equivalent) and give poor official rate
- • Western Union offers near-blue-dollar rates for transfers
Airport tips
- • Ezeiza airport has ATMs but rates are poor
- • Do NOT exchange at airport - terrible rates
- • Using cards now gives MEP rate - recommended over cash for most purchases
- • Taxis and Uber accept cards
Don't forget your home bank fees
The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.
Estimated daily expenses
How much cash you might need per day in Argentina, per person.
Backpacker
Hostels, street food, public transport
ARS/day
≈ $25.85-52.41 USD
Mid-range
Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport
ARS/day
≈ $86.15-187 USD
Luxury
Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport
ARS/day
≈ $273-610 USD
Cash vs card acceptance
Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Argentina.
Credit card acceptance
Good (now recommended!)Card payments now receive the MEP rate (very close to Blue Dollar). Cards are now recommended for most purchases - you no longer need to carry large amounts of cash. Cash still useful for small vendors and occasional 10-15% discounts.
Regional differences
- • Buenos Aires: Excellent card acceptance, MEP rate applied
- • Mendoza, Patagonia: Good acceptance, use cards
- • Rural areas: Cash still preferred
You'll need cash for
- • Small street vendors
- • Occasional 10-15% cash discounts
- • Markets
- • Tips
Cards usually accepted
- • Hotels (MEP rate!)
- • Restaurants (MEP rate!)
- • Supermarkets
- • Uber
- • Tourist attractions
💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards
These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banelco Network | 1500-3000 ARS | 0% | Official rate (+30-50% worse) | ~3.00 USD | 15,000 | Low limits, poor rate |
| Link Network | 1500-3000 ARS | 0% | Official rate (+30-50% worse) | ~3.00 USD | 12,000 | Low limits, poor rate |
| Banco Nación | 1500 ARS | 0% | Official rate | ~2.00 USD | 4,000 | — |
| Santander Río | 2000 ARS | 0% | Official rate | ~3.00 USD | 3,000 | — |
| HSBC Argentina | 2500 ARS | 0% | Official rate | ~4.00 USD | 1,000 | — |
📍 Most widely available ATMs
Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banelco Network | 1500-3000 ARS | 0% | Official rate (+30-50% worse) | ~3.00 USD | 15,000 | Low limits, poor rate |
| Link Network | 1500-3000 ARS | 0% | Official rate (+30-50% worse) | ~3.00 USD | 12,000 | Low limits, poor rate |
| Banco Nación | 1500 ARS | 0% | Official rate | ~2.00 USD | 4,000 | — |
| Santander Río | 2000 ARS | 0% | Official rate | ~3.00 USD | 3,000 | — |
| HSBC Argentina | 2500 ARS | 0% | Official rate | ~4.00 USD | 1,000 | — |