Argentina
Cards, peso cash, open transit payments and dependable local apps
Argentina is much easier with a mixed payment plan.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Argentina
Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards receive the card network's tourist conversion for purchases, but the rate still moves, card surcharges and cash discounts remain common, and small or rural businesses may accept only pesos or local QR transfers. Carry limited cash, choose Argentine pesos at every terminal, and compare the final rate rather than relying on an old claim that the exchange-rate gap has disappeared. Mercado Pago normally requires Argentine identity details, so it is not a useful tourist download. Buenos Aires subway gates and every bus using SUBE now accept foreign contactless Visa and Mastercard cards, but suburban trains still require a physical SUBE card.
The SUBE app and SUBE Digital are poor visitor defaults because identity verification uses an Argentine DNI and the full app is Android-only. Use Uber or Cabify for app rides, PedidosYa for delivery, and WhatsApp for local contacts. Save tickets and addresses offline, watch phones and bags in crowded transport, and check official weather, park, road and service alerts before long journeys or Patagonia hikes. Call 911 for an immediate emergency.
Tucu: pay Argentine QR codes as a visitor
Tucu is a new travel wallet. Set it up before you leave, fund it in your own currency and pay merchant QR codes in pesos, with the rate, fees and total shown before you confirm.
Ride Hailing
UberEssential
The easiest first ride app for travelers, with the broadest current documented city coverage in Argentina.
CabifyEssential
A strong alternative with published service in nine Argentine cities and upfront trip estimates.
DiDi
A useful price and availability comparison in Buenos Aires and many Argentine provincial capitals.
BA Taxi
Buenos Aires City's app for licensed black-and-yellow taxis, with fare estimates and driver details.
Food Delivery
PedidosYaEssential
The best first delivery app for restaurants, groceries and pharmacies across many Argentine cities.
Rappi
A major-city alternative for food, groceries and convenience delivery when the exact address is covered.
Uber Eats
A developing option during Uber Eats' progressive 2026 return, which began in Córdoba.
Payments
WanderWallet
A new traveler wallet for Argentine QR payments and local Alias, CBU or CVU transfers without a local account.
Western Union
An optional way to send pesos to yourself for cash pickup when the service supports your sending country.
Messaging
WhatsAppEssential
Argentina's default channel for hosts, restaurants, guides, drivers and many local service businesses.
Navigation
Google MapsEssential
The best general map for Argentine addresses, businesses, walking, driving and urban trip planning.
Organic Maps
A fully offline OpenStreetMap-based backup for roads, paths and saved places across Argentina.
Transit
Trenes Argentinos
The official Android app for live times, service status and station information on Trenes Argentinos lines.
Language
Google TranslateEssential
The best all-purpose Spanish tool for offline text, camera translation and basic conversations in Argentina.
Intercity Transport
Plataforma 10Essential
The best first app for comparing and booking many Argentine long-distance bus operators.
Central de Pasajes
A second bus aggregator for comparing operators and routes across Argentina and neighboring countries.
Utilities
SMN: Tiempo y Pronóstico
Argentina's official app for forecasts, weather alerts, short-term warnings, radar and satellite data.
Internet in Argentina
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card ID registration required
- Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
- Claro Chip Turista Prepago includes 25GB for 30 days and costs around $15.
- Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
- Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.
Use an official carrier store and complete registration and activation before leaving the counter.
Local carriers
Claro
Tourist-friendly choice with a straightforward purchase process.
Personal
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Movistar
Good-value option when price matters most.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Argentina?
The essential apps for Argentina are Uber, Cabify, PedidosYa, WhatsApp, Google Maps.
How many travel apps does Argentina have?
We've curated 17 apps across 9 categories for traveling in Argentina, including 7 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Argentina?
Uber. The easiest first ride app for travelers, with the broadest current documented city coverage in Argentina.
Keep exploring
Also traveling in Latin America?
Bolivia
Cash backup, QR payments, cable cars and roadblock-aware travel
Brazil
Use Uber or 99, expect CPF barriers, and carry backup cards and reais
Chile
Use Uber, learn the local transit payment, and prepare for long distances
Colombia
Use dispatched rides, carry small pesos, and learn each city's transit system
Costa Rica
The right apps, plus the official and offline backups Costa Rica still requires
Ecuador
Dollar cash, exact map pins and city-specific transport tools matter in Ecuador