Currency in South America

t5pwr

What's the best way to travel with regards to money in South America?
I will be spending a few weeks in each country and don't want to be carrying a wad of cash with me.

Is money easily accessible with Laser or Credit card from ATM's or banks?

Thanks

Aurora Borealis

What I did and it worked perfectly was carry an ATM card with Cirrus facility and a Mastercard to fall back on if I needed it in emergencies. Kept CC in hostel lockers etc with passport. The ATM card was for my current account to which I transferred money when needed from a savings account. Did that as had heard stories of people being coerced into withdrawing money from their ATM’s so that way I only had a certain amount at any given time that could actually be withdrawn and if I needed more I just transferred it between accounts online. Nothing dodgy did happen me but good to take precautions so you know you’re covered.Not sure what your itinerary is but if you're going on a jungle trek from Rurrenabaque in Bolivia be aware there is no ATM there so stock up beforehand...Well there wasn't in August last year anyway.

t5pwr

Thanks Aurora Borealis that's exactly what I needed to know...
In more remote parts I won't be expecting ATM's so would take i bit extra out before I leave a city.

dory

I did exactly what Aurora did. Also Tupiza in Southern Bolivia, no ATM but the bank will give you a cash advance on a credit card (not lazer). And El Calafate down south in Argentina, not machines there either I believe. Can't think of any others at the moment.
Also, wouldn't kill you to bring a 50 euro note or two. I felt better having them in case all else failed. It's only one note but for it you can get a lot of local currency which can keep you going til you get to the next ATM.
Some people say change your money to dollars: totally crazy and unnessessary!
HAve fun.

TonyD79

I will be crossing over the Argentian border on monday morning to Villazon and then onward to Uyuni. Does anyone know if theres an atm in either of these places or should I simply take out some pesos here (Salta)before I go.

As for using your ATM I got charged like 6.50 for taking out 800 pesos which is basically 188 euro and 3.40 for half that amount so basically theres a 3 per cent charge on ATM withdrawls using ur citrus/meastro card.

p to the e

TonyD79 wrote: »

I will be crossing over the Argentian border on monday morning to Villazon and then onward to Uyuni. Does anyone know if theres an atm in either of these places or should I simply take out some pesos here (Salta)before I go.

As for using your ATM I got charged like 6.50 for taking out 800 pesos which is basically 188 euro and 3.40 for half that amount so basically theres a 3 per cent charge on ATM withdrawls using ur citrus/meastro card.

there is one ATM in Uyuni but it gets a lot of use. as for cresit cards i don't thin so. on a side note it gets absolutely freezing here at night and a place to go is the extreme fun bar. try the ten shot challenge! bad memories the next morning

TonyD79

Uyuni is the worst spot in the world! if you get stuck there try and book hotel julia as it has skype so at aleast you can ring home..seriously there is nowt to do there other than book a salt flat tour or wait connecting bus out of there. Also despite what footprint and the lonely planet guide state there is only one bus to la paz and it runs at 8.

Watch your bags as per usual advice..a german couple had their passport,camera and all their money stolen from their backpack while waiting for their bus.Considering they stood right beside me away fwell away rom their packs shows unbelievable niavity!

lady_j

If you're coming from Peru to Bolivia border carry some cash because otherwise you're looking at cash advances until you get to La Paz especially if you're arriving at the weekend. Had some problems in Brazil too, only HSBC atms seemed to work for my card and they had quite a low limit on how much you could take out so worked out quite costly. Otherwise had no problems though atms were few and far between in Patagonia!

Zillah

Put a positive balance on your credit card and you can withdraw it at ATMs for less of a charge than using cirrus. Or so I've been told.