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Exchange Rates Currency Options Budgeting Tipping

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.

Currency Options

Argentina

Presidential Palace

Exploring Buenos Aires by bike

A Porteño musician on the streets of Buenos Aires

Tango in Buenos Aires

If you are passing through Argentina on your trip, we recommend the following:

  • Many places will accept debit/credit cards, and contactless is increasingly popular (it's worth noting that occasionally you will be asked to provide your passport number when paying). Paying with a debit or credit card usually results in a favourable exchange rate. There can sometimes be a minimal spend required at small cafes, but this is usually relatively low.
  • Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. AMEX is more variable. Take two credit or debit cards with you, and do let your bank know that you will be travelling, as well as checking out any potential fees in advance.
  • Please be aware that you are likely to be charged high fees every time you use an ATM, so it is not worth making small or regular withdrawals. That said, the maximum withdrawal amount is generally much lower than in many other countries. ATMs only dispense local currency and are usually located inside buildings rather than on outside walls.
  • When taking US dollars with you in cash, make sure you bring a mixture of denominations, but be aware that larger bills will get a better rate of exchange if you decide you need to get some Argentine pesos. Small USD bills are useful for tipping and may be accepted by some taxis in gateway cities like Buenos Aires or Ushuaia if you don't have local currency, but it is best to check before starting your journey.
  • Argentinian pesos are not considered a major currency, so 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 spend or exchange for local currency. After returning home, you may find it difficult to trade in any excess pesos you may have, so use them up in Argentina.
  • In Argentina, US dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas but are not legal tender or widely accepted in the rest of the country.
  • Traveller's cheques are not advised for either country as they are very hard to change and are given a low rate.
  • Swoop can pre-book an airport transfer for you for the most hassle-free option. However, if you wish to make your own way, for the best taxi fares at Buenos Aires airport, book through the official desks or in advance to avoid scams and get transparent pricing. Alternatively, you may wish to use the Uber app.

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 Swoop's Patagonia's Product & Partnerships Manager, David.

David is half Argentine and has spent many years living in and exploring Argentina.

Currency, budgeting & tipping

Argentine pesos

Chile

Peruse the varied stalls at Santiago's Central Market

Travel by funicular

If you are passing through Chile on your trip, we recommend the following:

  • In Chile, most spending can be done with a credit or debit card.
  • 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, Mastercard, and Amex are widely accepted. Please be aware that you may be charged high fees every time you use an ATM or pay by card, so check with your bank before travelling. ATMs will only dispense local currency.
  • Chilean pesos are not considered a major currency, so banks and foreign exchange companies in your home country are unlikely to have a readily available supply. After returning home, you may find it difficult to trade in any excess pesos you may have.
  • US dollars are not generally accepted in Chile, except at some hotels and luxury shops. Therefore, you may wish to get some local currency from the ATM or bring some US dollars to exchange at a "casa de cambio" for small expenses.
  • Traveller's cheques are not advised for either country as they are very hard to change and are given a low rate.
  • Swoop can pre-book an airport transfer for you for the most hassle-free option. However, if you wish to make your own way, for the best taxi fares at Santiago airport, book through the official desks or in advance to avoid scams and get transparent pricing.

Budgeting

We recommend a rough budget of $40-80 USD per person per day for lunch and dinner in Patagonia or gateway cities such as Buenos Aires or Santiago. 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. 

Delicious steak meal in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina

Tipping

Argentina & Chile

Hotel Legado Mitico, Buenos Aires

Argentina, particularly, is a very tipping-oriented country, like the US. Tips are expected, so keep a stock of small-denomination notes handy. 

In Chile, tipping isn’t quite as prevalent, but it's very much appreciated and is certainly expected in restaurants.

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.

Hotels: In city hotels across Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Santiago, and Punta Arenas, tipping is appreciated but generally modest and informal. As a guideline, travellers may wish to tip porters the equivalent of $1–2 USD per bag and leave around $2–5 USD per night for housekeeping, depending on service and length of stay. However, tipping isn’t compulsory.

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, so consider leaving a tip in cash, at your discretion. 

On board your ship

Currency, budgeting & tipping

Tips are not generally included in your cruise fare; however, some exceptions apply on the all-inclusive ships, so please do check your ship guide in the My Trip section of your Adventure Planner for accurate information for your specific ship.

If your ship does not include tips, it will almost certainly provide its own guidelines on board, towards the end of the voyage. It's very much at your discretion; however, the tips are generally divided up between the crew - including the wonderful but sometimes unseen housekeeping staff - as well as the restaurant and bar team. It is not expected that you would tip staff individually. So, if you would like to tip the crew, an approximate suggestion would be $15-25 USD per passenger per day on board.

Tips are usually collected just prior to the end of the cruise and can usually be paid on a credit card when you are settling your tab, though USD cash is also an option if you prefer.

Further reading

Booking flights

Flying to Antarctica, Boarding the plane for King George Island

Getting to your cruise will likely involve air travel. Most cruises begin in Ushuaia in Argentina or Punta Arenas/Puerto Natales in Chile. Read our flight guide for both locations.

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