Argentina is much easier with a mixed payment plan. 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.
A new traveler wallet for Argentine QR payments and local Alias, CBU or CVU transfers without a local account.
An optional way to send pesos to yourself for cash pickup when the service supports your sending country.
These apps need data
Guac eSIM covers Argentina with plans from $1.50 per GB. Install it before you land and activate instantly.
How to Pay in Argentina