Do You Tip in Argentina?
QUICK ANSWER
Tipping in Argentina is customary at around 10 percent in restaurants, best left in cash since it is not always included. Argentina's currency is the peso, but due to high inflation, bringing US dollars in cash can get you a much better exchange rate than cards at many places.
Argentina is a rewarding destination with an unusual money situation driven by inflation, which makes how you pay genuinely matter. Here is what you need to know about tipping and the peso, plus power adapters and tap water, so you get the most out of your budget in Buenos Aires and beyond.
Do you tip in Argentina?
Tipping in Argentina, known as leaving a propina, is customary though technically not obligatory. In restaurants, a tip of around 10 percent is standard for good service, and it is best left in cash, even when you pay the bill by card, since tips often are not added to card payments and cash reaches the staff directly. Some places may add a cover charge, cubierto, which is not a tip. Tip tour guides and drivers a few dollars or the peso equivalent, and round up for taxis. Because of inflation, carrying small bills for tips is practical. A modest cash tip for good service is always appreciated.
What currency is used in Argentina?
Argentina uses the Argentine peso (ARS), but its money situation is unusual because of high inflation, and this affects how you should pay. For years there was a large gap between the official exchange rate and better informal or alternative rates, making US dollars in cash unusually valuable; travelers have often gotten far more pesos by bringing clean, crisp US dollar bills and exchanging through recognized channels, or by using services like Western Union, than by paying with a foreign card at the official rate. The situation shifts, so check current conditions before you go. Bring some US dollars in cash as a backup, carry pesos for daily spending, and confirm the best current payment method close to your trip.
What power adapter do you need for Argentina?
Argentina uses Type C and the distinctive Type I plugs, the latter with two slanted flat pins like Australia's, on a 220-volt supply. Travelers from the United States, the UK, and most of Europe will need an adapter, and because the Type I shape is less common, a universal travel adapter is the safest choice to fit Argentine sockets. Voltage matters too: at 220 volts, Argentina is higher than the US 120 volts, so verify your devices accept 220-volt input. Phone and laptop chargers are almost always dual voltage and just need the adapter, while single-voltage US appliances can be damaged without a converter.
Can you drink the tap water in Argentina?
In most major cities, tap water in Argentina is safe to drink. The water in Buenos Aires and other large urban centers is treated and generally considered safe for visitors, so you can drink it and refill a bottle. In some rural areas, the far north, and certain provinces, water quality is less reliable, so bottled or filtered water is the safer choice there. If you have a sensitive stomach or are heading somewhere remote, bottled water is a cheap precaution, especially early in your trip. Ask your accommodation about the local supply; in Buenos Aires and the main cities, tap water is typically fine to drink.
Tipping in Argentina is customary at about 10 percent, best left in cash. The country uses the peso, but high inflation means bringing US dollars in cash, or using services like Western Union, often gets a much better rate than a foreign card, so check current conditions before you go. You will need an adapter for Type C and I outlets, and city tap water is generally safe.
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