Liquor and perfume here often cost more than in Palermo
This “Duty Free Shop” sits landside at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), before security, so you can walk in even if you’re not checked in yet. It’s a standard duty‑free format: liquor, wine, chocolates, perfume, plus some last‑minute souvenirs. Price level runs around $$–$$$, and recent flyers give it an average rating near 3 out of 5, mostly because the deals just aren’t deals anymore.
Reddit regulars in r/buenosaires point out that a bottle of alcohol here can cost more in pesos than at a city supermarket once you use the informal “blue” exchange rate. One user flatly said the AEP duty free is a joke for alcohol prices, and several others agree that you lose value versus buying in town. If you’re eyeing standard labels of whisky or gin, expect sticker shock compared with Palermo shops on, say, Honduras or Borges.
Selection also trails Ezeiza (EZE). Travelers note a thinner range of high‑end whisky and premium cosmetics here than at the big international airport. Local wine in particular is usually cheaper and better curated in Palermo wine stores, where you can find strong Malbecs under USD 10 equivalent that outclass many of the airport options. Some imported spirits can still line up reasonably with foreign duty‑free prices, but it’s hit or miss.
What regulars do: Reddit users say they buy Malbec and spirits in the city and treat this shop as a backup for Toblerone, basic chocolates, or small branded souvenirs if they ran out of time. Most only duck in for a 5‑minute sweep on the way to security. Tip: if you care about value, do your serious bottle shopping in Buenos Aires first and use this duty‑free only for last‑minute gifts when your Uber is already pulling up to AEP.