When traveling around South America, ATM fees and withdrawal limits can vary significantly from country to country. In this article, I’ve compiled information based on the ATMs I actually used while traveling around South America, including ATMs with relatively low fees and countries where I don’t recommend using ATMs at all. I’ve also included approximate USD amounts alongside the local currencies, so you can get an idea of how much you can actually withdraw.
Note: USD amounts are approximate and based on exchange rates at the time of writing. They may vary depending on the exchange rate.
Table of Contents
Chile｜BancoEstado
- Bank: BancoEstado
- Maximum withdrawal: 200,000 CLP (approx. 210 USD)
- ATM fee: 5,000 CLP (approx. 5 USD)
In Chile, BancoEstado was relatively easy to use, and its fees were also reasonable compared with other banks.
Argentina｜ATMs Not Recommended
ATMs in Argentina have very unfavorable conditions, so I generally don’t recommend withdrawing cash from ATMs.
- Maximum withdrawal: 40,000 ARS (approx. 30 USD)
- ATM fee: 15,000 ARS (approx. 11 USD)
You may only be able to withdraw around 30 USD while paying a fee of around 11 USD, making it extremely expensive!!
Recommended: Bring Cash or Use International Money Transfers
In Argentina, rather than using ATMs, I recommend either using international money transfer services such as:
- Western Union
- Remitly
- Wise (where available)
and collecting the money locally, or bringing USD cash with you. These methods allow you to get local currency at a better exchange rate than using an ATM.
Bolivia｜Banco Económico
- Bank: Banco Económico
- Maximum withdrawal: 2,000 BOB (approx. 161 USD)
- ATM fee: Free
⚠️Bolivia used to have a blue rate (the unofficial market exchange rate), but this has basically disappeared since the country switched from a fixed to a floating exchange rate in June 2026.
Peru｜Banco de la Nación
- Bank: Banco de la Nación
- Maximum withdrawal: 400 PEN (approx. 110 USD)
- ATM fee: Free
In Peru, Banco de la Nación was easy to use with an international card, and there was no ATM fee. I was able to withdraw money twice per day with one card.
Ecuador｜Banco Guayaquil
- Bank: Banco Guayaquil
- Maximum withdrawal: 400 USD
- ATM fee: 3.5 USD
Although Banco Guayaquil charges a fee, it was a convenient ATM because you can withdraw a relatively large amount at once.
Colombia｜Davivienda
- Bank: Davivienda
- Maximum withdrawal: 2,000,000 COP (approx. 645 USD)
- ATM fee: Approx. 26,000 COP (approx. 8 USD)
Unfortunately, there are very few ATMs in Colombia that allow you to withdraw cash without a fee. ATM fees and withdrawal limits vary depending on the bank, but the fees are generally relatively high.
Davivienda has slightly higher fees, but its advantage is that you can withdraw up to 2,000,000 COP (645 USD) at once.
Another option is to bring USD or euros in cash and exchange them locally.
Key Points to Remember When Using ATMs in South America【2026】
| Country | Recommended ATM / Method | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇱 Chile | BancoEstado | Lowest ATM fee |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | ATMs not recommended | Bringing cash or using international money transfers is recommended |
| 🇧🇴 Bolivia | Banco Económico | Free ATM withdrawals |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | Banco de la Nación | Free ATM withdrawals |
| 🇪🇨 Ecuador | Banco Guayaquil | Lowest ATM fee |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | Davivienda | Higher fees, but a large withdrawal limit |
In South America, the amount of cash you receive can vary significantly depending on ATM fees and withdrawal limits. Especially in Argentina, international money transfer services can be a cheaper alternative to ATMs, which often charge high fees and have low withdrawal limits.
Use this article as a reference, choose the most cost-effective option, and travel smart!
