Shops are normally open Monday to Fridays, from 9 am to 8 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm; however, the shops located on the main avenues are also open on Saturday afternoon. In shopping centres, hours usually extend until 10 pm, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Hours
The time zone corresponds to GMT-3 and currently there is no time change made in the summer. Activity in Buenos Aires starts at dawn and continues late into the night.
Holidays
Banks, businesses and some shops close on holidays, but most cinemas and theatres are open. Generally, companies offering city tours and excursions do not stop their services. If a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday or between Tuesday and Friday, it is generally moved to the following or previous, Monday.
Banks
Banks open at 10 am and close at 3 pm (some banks extend their closing time to 4 pm). There are, of course, 24 hour ATMs.
Currency
The Argentine currency is the peso ($). There are $ 100, $ 50, $ 20, $ 10, $ 5 and $ 2 notes, and 1, 0.50, 0.25, 0.10 and 0.05 cent coins. The U.S. dollar is the most common foreign currency. Banks and Casas de Cambio (currency exchange offices) insist on seeing your passport to exchange foreign currency. Shops generally accept credit cards and US dollars.
Exchange Rate
The exchange rate is currently very favourable for foreign tourists. The main banking area is located in the so-called “city”. This area covers five blocks (numbered 100 to 500) of San Martín, Reconquista, 25 de Mayo, Sarmiento, Presidente Juan Domingo Perón and Mitre streets. The U.S. dollar is accepted in most shops, but it is best to exchange them for pesos.
VAT
VAT is charged at 21%.
Tax Free
At the airport, upon departure, you can apply for the VAT to be refunded for articles purchased in shops having a TAX FREE sign. Therefore you should keep all invoices or receipts and so that you can fill out the tax refund form.
Shops
