WanderWallet: How to move through Argentina cash free

Do you want to manage your money in Argentina like a local?

You’ve likely been told to bring dollars to exchange or to send yourself cash via Western Union. But then you have to find a cueva you trust or wait in long lines and carry bricks of cash with you everywhere you go.

And the thing is, Argentines aren’t carrying around pockets full of pesos for their daily shopping. They’re using the app MercadoPago for QR payments or sending bank transfers, also known as Alias transfers.

Think of it as Argentina’s Venmo, except bigger.

Unfortunately, MercadoPago is impossible to access as a foreigner without an Argentine DNI. At least, it was impossible until WanderWallet…

With WanderWallet you don’t need to be an Argentine resident or have a local bank account to access QR payments and Alias transfers.

It’s our workaround.

If you don’t want to deal with cuevas, Western Union, and carrying a wallet full of cash while traveling through Argentina then WanderWallet is the solution.

I’ve written this guide after personally testing WanderWallet – loading it with money from my own bank and using it to pay for my daily shopping.

First I’ll explain both options – QR payments and bank transfers, what are they and when will you use them? Then I’ll tell you how to set up your WanderWallet, step by step, so you can manage your money in Argentina like a local.

How to use MercadoPago & QR payments as a tourist

MercadoPago is Argentina’s largest digital payment network. Think of it as Argentina’s PayPal, but bigger.

And while MercadoPago is the dominant leader, other wallets like MODO or Ualá are gaining traction. WanderWallet will work for any QR code, regardless of the network.

It allows you to pay for things by scanning QR codes, which are ubiquitous in Argentina these days. You can pay your corner butcher, get snacks or a quick bottle of water at the kiosco, or pay for your steak dinner.

Alias Transfers Argentina

Bank transfers (transferencias) make the world go round in Argentina.

It’s incredibly common to send a bank transfer for just about anything – the banana you got for breakfast at the verduleria, your rent, or even to pay your friend back for your share of dinner.

I’ve even seen street performers share their aliases for tips on the train or subte.

So, what is an alias transfer? An alias is basically a username or handle linked to a bank account or digital wallet (like MercadoPago). It’s like Venmo except it’s available for every banking account in the country.

You could send a bank transfer by asking for their CBU/CVU (basically their account number), but aliases are much more common and easier.

It’s the easiest way to send money whether you’re paying in a physical shop or sending the month’s rent to your landlord.

How to use WanderWallet in Argentina

WanderWallet gives you access to QR codes and Alias transfer payments so you can navigate Argentina’s economy like a local. This allows you to avoid high ATM fees, long lines at Western Union, and the burden of carrying hundreds of USD in your carry on.

📲 Your first step is to download WanderWallet and create an account. Use my code SOLSALUTE and we’ll each receive $5 once you meet your milestone (making 5 payments to 5 different vendors adding up to at least $20).

Your second step is to transfer money into your WanderWallet account. From the US you can do this with Cash App or by ACH bank transfers. Other options like Revolut and stable coins are available as well, you’ll see all of your options in the WanderWallet app, click on “deposit.”

My recommendation to you is to set up WanderWallet before you leave home.

If you’re coming from the US, use Cash App for your initial deposit while still in the US (CashApp will be unavailable to you once you leave the US). Load your account with as much as you think you’ll need.

While you’re in Argentina you can top up your account with ACH transfers from your US bank account. It’s easy to do but does require an initial verification so it’s something I would do before traveling. Read these easy step by step instructions on WanderWallet’s site.

Once your money is in your WanderWallet account it will remain in USD until you spend it.

If there’s a problem and a merchant refunds your payment, it will be credited back automatically. If a payment fails, funds return according to status, and support can help if needed. If you need support, contact WanderWallet. A real person will always respond within operating hours.

Each payment has a fixed $0.20 fee per transaction. You’ll see this fee and the exchange rate at the time of confirming each payment. There are no surprises or hidden fees.

💱 What about WanderWallet’s rate? After using WanderWallet I found the rate to be very competitive. For example, for one purchase it gave me the rate of $1509 pesos per dollar, but my Visa was offering $1378. $1509 is on par with the dolar blue and just a smidge lower than Western Union’s current rate.

Exchange rates (of which there are many in Argentina) are very dynamic and can always change. But I did find WanderWallet to always be very competitive while testing the app.

Also, remember that your money will sit in USD until you spend it. So the rate you see when you load your account may be slightly different when you actually spend your money.

How to pay via QR codes in WanderWallet?

• When your waiter or cashier asks how you’ll pay, answer with “con QR.” Pronounce QR in spanish, “KU ERRE”.
• There will either be a static QR code for you to scan (usually taped up somewhere by the cash register) or the vendor will generate a QR code on the card reader for you to scan.
• Click the “Pay QR” icon within your WanderWallet app and scan the code, that’s it.

How to pay via Alias Transfers in WanderWallet?

• Click on “Transfers” then on “Argentina Alias Transfer.”
• Input the amount and the recipient’s Alias (Or CBU or CVU).
• Click Review Payment, you will see the recipient’s name, fee and exchange rate.
• Confirm that the name is correct then tap Confirm Payment, that’s it.

WanderWallet FAQ’s