Argentina is undergoing some major revamping, everything is subject to change, and a pretty rapid at that!
Here's a bit of deciphering, to make your first steps in Argentina a tad lighter. First off, money.
Money
As of December 2024, the infamous dólar blue has come to par with the official exchange rate. Almost. So have the MEP, CCL and whatever other exchange rates we've had. This makes life a lot simpler if not easier, especially for foreigners.
You can use your debit or credit card in many places in the country, but keep in mind that in smaller cities and villages it's very likely that cards won't be accepted. In some point of sale only debit cards are accepted and not the credit ones. With this in mind, you will still need cash.
Western Union is still the best option. You can open an account (takes about a minute, depending on how fast you type), set yourself up as a receiver, connect your debit card to this account and send yourself however much you might need. Once you've made a transfer, your money will be ready for pickup in a minute, and you can go to the nearest Western Union location to pick it up. You will need the confirmation number and your passport to do this.
One very important detail: set this up while you're physically outside of Argentina, to avoid limits being imposed on your transfers. Their system is very smart, and even a top-notch VPN won't help you. If you've already entered the country, just ask a friend in whatever country you're from to set it up for you. You can then change your password, to keep the account secure.
The places to exchange actual paper dollar bills in Argentina are called cuevas (caves), and are identified by men called arbolitos (little trees) standing in front or near those. Unless you know someone who knows someone who recommends a particular cueva, try to avoid them as they're very likely to scam you out of your money, especially if your Spanish is not stellar. To get the best rate, bring new, crisp, undamaged 100-dollar bills, as they value the most. You might get lucky with fifty-buck bills, but anything smaller than that is a no go. Same for old, creased, torn or marked bills.
Tourist Visa
This is what stumps people the most, after the whole money exchange debacle. Here's why: in Argentina, the immigration system is structured in such a way, that there is no "illegal immigrants" here. The term used is "irregular".
The official tourist visa is issued for 90 days, however, no one pays any attention to it. In fact, it's worse to do visa runs every ninety days than to simply overstay your visa. Many border crossings will flag you in the system and you may encounter issues down the road. This said, if you overstay (by a day or a year), all you have to do is pay a small fine before you exit the country and you can return anytime with no problems at all, also in a day or in a year, doesn't matter.
You can pay this fine no more than 10 days before you leave the country by going to any Migraciones and following their instructions. In Buenos Aires, there is an office in both airports, so you can take a quick ride to AEP (Aeroparque), pay the fine and be done with it. The amount changes with inflation, obviously, but it's usually somewhere around $30USD.
An expired visa will not stop your movements around the country in any way. You can fly domestically, take intercity buses, withdraw money and generally go about your daily activities with no questions asked.
Mobile Phone Service
In Argentina, you don't have to pay for a SIM card. As a foreigner, you have to go to any of the service providers' stores, such as Personal, Claro or Movistar, with your passport (not a copy, an actual one). They have a special tourist option for thirty days for about $15USD, which is the easiest way to go. They will do all the work — activate the SIM, register it with their system and even help you figure out their app if you need it. Once you have your new phone number and your prepaid plan, you can then recharge it either online, using one of the apps of said providers or their websites. If you're here for more than a month, pay for a 30-day plan with free WhatsApp. If you're here for a week, there are 7-day plans available, or just put $3000ARS on your SIM and use it till it runs out. It will fill itself up as needed until there's no more money.
Depending on where you're planning to be, some people swear by Claro, some by Personal. Movistar is the most limited one. The price is relatively the same and is very inexpensive, so you can try a couple and see which one works for you.
SUBE Card
You will need a SUBE card to ride buses, city trams (Mendoza) and subway (Buenos Aires). You can buy a SUBE at some subway stations, tobacco stores or a random kiosk. It's a hit or miss, since recently, we have been experiencing card shortages. Alternatively, you can purchase a SUBE card online, before you arrive, and have it shipped to your future address. You will then need to activate it online, and you'll be all set to ride the public transportation system. The card will come with a bit of money on it, but you should top it off right away. This you can do at any kiosko that has a SUBE sign in the window. The fare prices change, so top it off based on the current price. For this, you will need cash.
Medical Care
As of December 2024, public medicine in Argentina is no longer free for foreigners. You can still go to a public hospital and be treated, but you will have to pay.
Private medicine is very inexpensive compared to many other countries, so you won't be bankrupted by it, most likely. The service, however, is faster and sometimes better.
In each city, there are hospitals known for best service, and they usually have doctors who speak English. If you happen to come across a good hospital or a doctor, send me their information, please. I'm compiling list of local services, for the visitors to use in each city.
If you need medication, you can most likely buy it without a prescription. The only way to find out, is to go to a pharmacy and ask.
I hope this helps you decipher some aspects of Argentinian life and clear up some confusion. Enjoy your stay in Argentina, whether long or short, and have fun!