Planning wine travel through Chile and Argentina is exciting, but a few smart hacks can make your trip smoother, cheaper, and far more enjoyable. After spending time in both countries exploring vineyards, cities, and high-altitude wine regions, these are the things I wish I’d known before I went.
Whether you’re heading to Mendoza, Salta, Cafayate, Santiago, or Chile’s coastal wine valleys, these tips will help you navigate money, electricity, tipping, and everyday logistics with confidence.
If you’re looking for deeper guides, explore our full destination posts:
• Argentina Travel Guide
• Chile Travel Guide
Sifting through everything I learned during my recent trip to South America, there were definitely some surprises. I expected different cultures, scenery, architecture and food. What surprised me were what I didn’t expect about money and electricity.
Understanding Money in Chile and Argentina
Why Currency Matters for Wine Travelers
Typically, when I travel internationally to multiple countries in the same trip, I purchase a small quantity of local currency from my local bank to use for tips and small purchases. Usually $200-$300 will suffice, and whatever I don’t need will definitely get spent once I get home. This is simple when I’ve traveled to Europe because almost all the countries are on the Euro (Western Europe exceptions are the UK and Switzerland).
When I go to just one country, like Australia, it’s just as easy because there is a single currency. But I realized that since I was going to 2 countries, Chile and Argentina, each has its own currency and I’d better check in advance before buying quantities of multiple currencies.
Turning to ChatGPT, my new best travel buddy, I asked what it recommended. While both countries use pesos, they are not the same currency.
Money in Chile
Chile is easy. AI suggested waiting until I arrived and then buy some Chilean pesos from a bank ATM, which are widely available.
Money in Argentina
Argentina is entirely different. They have different kinds of ATM’s, some regular and some “blue,” which is an unofficial term. It refers to the “blue dollar exchange rate,” which can be as much as 100% higher (more favorable) than the official exchange rate that you’ll get at an Argentinian bank ATM. It’s hard to find places that will give you this favorable rate, which is why using credit cards for most purchases is the way to go. Just make sure if you are given the choice of being charged in local currency or US dollars, you ALWAYS choose local currency.
Problem is, you cannot assume when you’re in Argentina that you can even get money from an ATM. They are often not well stocked, especially on weekends, so you may need to hit up several ATM’s before you find one which has cash to dispense. This happened to one of my traveling companions and he was completely frustrated that he could not get any local pesos.
The best cash solution? Bring a quantity of small denomination ($5 bills are good) of US Dollars. Since the currency in Argentina is very unstable, the service workers there love to get American dollars as tips! And they do expect tips in Argentina, which is not the same as in Chile (more on tipping coming up). You can also use dollars for small purchases and will be given a price in dollars. However, you will not get change, so that’s why having small denominations is advised, or pay by card. Truly the easiest.
Tipping Culture: Chile vs. Argentina
In Chile, when you go through passport control, they hand you a slip of paper called a PDI. I thought they would collect it when I left the airport, but they didn’t.
Fortunately, our guide explained PDI. It’s given to all foreign travelers because they are exempt from Chile’s exorbitant 19% IVA tax (same as a VAT tax). When you check into your lodging, you show your PDI and they don’t charge you the tax.
When you’re in a restaurant, they usually add a 10% service charge, called a propina sugerida on the bill. You’ll see this as a line item. Unless service was terrible, the culture is to accept the charge and this is your tip. But you can definitely ask to have the service charge removed. This is all the tip that is expected.
For other services, like bellhops and guides, tips are appreciated The only place where tips are not expected is a taxi. Remember to keep your PDI with you because when you leave Chile, they will collect your paperwork at the passport control.
Electricity and Adapters in Chile and Argentina
This also gets a little confusing. Like most other countries, both Chile and Argentina use 230-240V, compared with 110-120V in the US.
Most importantly, if you bring any devices with you, most likely hair tools, make certain they are dual voltage because you’ll short them out if you try to use an American tool. For example, most roller brushes you find in the US are single-voltage only, so check carefully.
The next thing to consider is the wall outlets. You’ll need adaptors for your American devices to get power.
In Chile, they recommend Type L, which has 3 round prongs in a line. However, in my experience, all my hotels used the European 2-prong adapters, which I always pack.
Argentina is different. The standard outlet is Type I, the slanted flat 3 pins that are also used in Australia. But here too, the European 2-prong sometimes work. In one hotel, shockingly (sorry for the Dad pun!), my American plug worked. And for the places that had USB ports, that is the universal connection.
Best Hack?
Pack two universal travel adapters. It covers every situation, especially when you’re hopping between both countries.
Bonus Wine Travel Hack: Internal Flights
Wine regions like Mendoza, Salta, and Calama (gateway to Atacama) may require internal flights. Flights often sell out early during the wine harvest and shoulder seasons.
Book internal flights as soon as your itinerary is set.
Why These Wine Travel Hacks Matter
Wine travel through Chile and Argentina takes you from the Andes to the coast, from cool-climate Pinot Noir to high-altitude Malbec. These hacks help you stay focused on the fun part: tasting, exploring, and discovering the wine stories that make both countries magical.
Traveling Soon? Join One of Our South American Wine Journeys
Wine Lovers Travel is planning two South America trips beginning late 2026. If Chile, Argentina, or both are on your radar, stay connected for early access. Get notified when trips open