Booking flights
Getting to your trip starting location will most likely involve some air travel. Here is our brief guide on flights; including reservations, taxes and baggage.
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Exchange Rates
Exchange rates can and do vary from month to month, so it's worth checking the latest before you travel and once you arrive in the country. For the most up-to-date rates, please check the Central Bank of Chile or the National Bank of Argentina.
Money
For your trip to Chile/Argentina, we would recommend the following:
- If taking US Dollars with you in cash, ensure you bring a mixture of denominations.
- Most tourist expenditure can be done with a credit or debit card, and local cash can be obtained from ATMs (please note the fixed amount ATM fee is significant, and you do have to pay it per transaction)
- ATMs do not issue foreign currency - USD or Euros should be brought with you from home (and of course kept safe while travelling).
- Take two credit or debit cards with you (in case one doesn’t work) to withdraw local currency from ATMs and pay in restaurants; Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. American Express isn't always accepted, and there can be high conversion fees, so we advise taking other card types.
- Chilean and Argentinian Pesos are not considered major currencies - banks and foreign exchange companies in your home country are unlikely to have a readily available supply. This is why it is a good idea to travel with US dollars to either spend as US dollars (if in Argentina) or exchange them into local currency. Upon returning home, you may find it difficult to trade in any excess pesos you may have.
- Ensure notes are crisp and new – even the smallest tear or bend can mean that a note isn’t accepted.
- Traveller's cheques are not advised for either country as they are very hard to change.
Chile
Chilean pesos
The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso ($). US dollars are rarely used for day-to-day purchases but are easy to exchange during office hours (9am to 6pm). Some hotels may exchange USD for pesos in an emergency, but don't rely on it.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Chile. You can also easily withdraw cash from an ATM (for a significant fee). Please note that most establishments do not accept US dollars in cash; you're better off paying in local currency or with a credit/debit card.
You can see all legal Chilean peso tender notes on the Central Bank of Chile’s official website.
Argentina
Argentine pesos
The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine Peso ($). However, it's common to use US dollars in tourist areas, and most hotels and restaurants are used to dealing with international travellers and will accept them.
Foreign currency is not generally accepted or legal tender in the rest of Argentina, so carry some pesos or use a credit or debit card.
The largest denomination bill in Argentina is now the 20,000 peso note. You can see all legal Argentine peso tender notes on the Central Bank of Argentina’s official website.
David's insights on the Argentine Economy
If you would like to understand more about the Argentine economy, both its history and the current situation, we recommend reading this article written by our Product & Partnerships Manager, David (also featured in the video above). David is half Argentine and has spent many years living in and exploring Argentina.
While travelling
El Chaltén town sign in front of the FitzRoy Massif
All major towns in Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia have ATMs, but please note that El Calafate and El Chalten are notoriously problematic, so try to plan ahead and withdraw enough cash in Buenos Aires.
Most restaurants in towns accept Visa and Mastercard - American Express isn't always accepted, and there can be high conversion fees, so we advise taking other card types. Please be aware that cards are not usually accepted in more remote parts of Chile and Argentina, so do stock up on local currency before venturing into more remote areas.
Even if you intend to pay by card and withdraw local currency from an ATM, please ensure that you carry some US dollars cash as your backup currency (remember to only take as much as your travel insurance covers you to carry).
Important considerations
- You may have to pay entrance fees to national parks or museums. These will have to be paid in cash, in the local currency, so make sure you have this ready before your excursion.
- You will sometimes have to pay small taxes at bus stations and ports ($2-3 USD). These would need to be paid in cash in the local currency. We always strive to inform you beforehand that you need to pay these.
- You may be charged high fees when using an ATM or paying with a card, so do check with your bank before travelling. If you are paying a fixed fee, it is worth taking out a large sum at the start of your trip. Merchants often impose a 2-4% surcharge for paying with a card, which means paying in cash is often cheaper.
- Change (smaller notes and coins) can be hard to come by in Patagonia, so be sure to break up your large notes whenever you can (sometimes smaller shops may not be able to sell you anything if you are trying to pay with a high note denomination).
- Be aware that the Chilean and Argentine peso symbol is the $, not to be confused with the $ symbol for the United States dollar.
- Please note - When budgeting for taxi fares at Santiago or Buenos Aires airport, book through the official desks or in advance to avoid scams and ensure transparency in pricing.
Budgeting
We recommend a rough budget of $40-80 USD per person per day for lunch and dinner in Patagonia. This will of course depend on where you choose to eat and drink.
You will likely find prices are similar to those in Europe and the US. Particularly in supermarkets and when eating out.
However, there are some clear exceptions where items may be significantly more expensive than back home - alcoholic beverages in hotels, medication, electronic and imported goods etc. So please be mindful of this.
What our customers think of Currency, budgeting & tipping
Tipping
A guide giving a talk at the Base of the Towers, Torres del Paine
It is customary to leave a tip for guides, drivers and hotel staff in USD at the end of their services, but you may want to carry a few extra pesos for tipping in local establishments such as restaurants and bars.
It is at your discretion whether or not you choose to tip, but we generally suggest the following guidelines:
- Guides: From $20 USD per person per day for a group of 1 or 2, or from $5 USD per day for larger groups - this will be paid at the end of your tour/excursion to your guide. Note, you will not have access to cash when in Torres del Paine National Park, so please budget accordingly. Guides are paid and do not rely on tips for their income; however, they work long hours throughout the season and are knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Tipping is a great way to show your appreciation for the great experience they gave you.
- Hotels: More information on this below.
- There may be additional people helping you with your travels, i.e., porters, assistant guides, etc. Please consider budgeting for their tips.
- Cruises: $50-100 USD per person per cruise is the general guideline, but this can vary from operator to operator. You can give this to the reception at the end of your cruise. If you have booked an Antarctic cruise, please note that the guidelines and expectations differ; please refer to our guide.
- Meals: 10-15% of your bill - sometimes restaurants will charge you a modest ‘cubierto’ fee, which is not the tip for your waiter, but a cover charge for bread and nibbles. While some establishments will be able to add a tip to your credit card charge, this is not always possible.
- Taxis: Tipping taxi drivers is not customary in Chile or Argentina, and is at your discretion. Keep in mind that city cab prices are always charged in the local currency.
Tipping at hotels
- As a guideline, we recommend around $20 USD per person per day, or $50 USD per person per day when staying in more premium hotels. Tipping isn’t compulsory, but these amounts reflect what is commonly given.
- Tips generally can’t be added to a credit card, and while some hotels may allow it, it isn’t guaranteed. We recommend budgeting for cash in USD for tipping.
- Hotels sometimes have guides associated with the hotel; sometimes the guides are outsourced. In each case, tipping etiquette varies, and it's worth asking the hotel.
- Sometimes you can tip via the front desk at the end of your stay at a hotel for everything, and sometimes you might be expected to tip the hotel restaurant staff separately. It is worth asking before or during your stay.
- Each hotel is likely to have a different physical approach to actually tipping - sometimes you leave cash in an envelope, and other times it can be charged onto a credit card. Again, ask the hotel how they do it.
Swoop says
Try to use up your Chilean or Argentine pesos before you leave Patagonia as you’ll not likely be able to exchange them when you get back home.
David Hilton Patagonia Product & Partnership Manager
Further reading
Accommodation in Chile & Argentina
To help you to choose places to stay that make sense for your itinerary, budget and preferences, we've created these location-based accommodation guides.
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