The Agua Negra Pass, which links Chile's Coquimbo Region with the Argentine province of San Juan, still has no opening date for the 2026-2027 season. As of October 14, snow clearing on the Chilean side was about 33% complete, with snow up to 7.82 meters deep in some stretches and damage from avalanches, landslides and rockfalls, reported Diario El Día.
"There is still no certainty about when the Agua Negra Pass will finally open," said Coquimbo regional governor Cristóbal Juliá. Officials had already ruled out December and expect the crossing to operate in early January 2027; Public Works Minister Louis de Grange said work is under way to have it ready by then, according to Región Binacional. It is a projection, not a confirmed date.
Agua Negra Pass status as of October 18
| Item | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Snow clearing (Chilean side) | About 33% | Diario El Día, October 14 |
| Accumulated snow | Up to 7.82 meters in some stretches | Diario El Día |
| Road damage | Avalanches, landslides and rockfalls | Diario El Día |
| Opening date | Not confirmed; projected for early January 2027 | Coquimbo Regional Government / Public Works |
| Pass elevation | 4,780 meters above sea level | Signage at the international border |
| Next binational meeting | Integration Committee, December 2 and 3 in La Serena | Diario El Día |
The Ministry of Public Works said it will boost the road agency's capacity with technical support, new technology and equipment, and will give regular updates to business groups. Regional public works secretary Cristian Smitmans takes part in the follow-up meetings with the Coquimbo business association and the Agua Negra Pass Corporation.
Why this would be the latest Agua Negra Pass opening in 20 years
The pass is seasonal: because of its altitude it only operates in summer, and clearing usually takes about two months. Opening dates compiled by 0264 Noticias show that in recent years it opened between late November and early December:
| Season | Opening | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 | January 5, 2006 | Delayed by weather |
| 2017-2018 | December 7 | |
| 2019-2020 | December 6 | |
| 2021-2022 | January 4, 2022 | Because of health protocols, not snow |
| 2023-2024 | November 30 | |
| 2024-2025 | November 22 | |
| 2025-2026 | November 26, 2025 | Closed on June 14, 2026 |
| 2026-2027 | Projection: early January 2027 | No confirmed date |
If the projection holds, the crossing would open later than in any season since 2005-2006 for weather reasons. The cause is the winter storms, which left snow and ice blockages up to seven meters deep at several points.
| Date | Agua Negra Pass milestone in 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | End of the 2025-2026 season, later than usual | 0264 Noticias |
| Winter 2026 | Storms pile up snow and ice up to seven meters deep | 0264 Noticias |
| October 1 | Chilean officials rule out December and point to January 2027 | 0264 Noticias / Región Binacional |
| October 14 | Clearing about 33% complete, snow up to 7.82 meters | Diario El Día |
| December 2 and 3 | Agua Negra Pass Integration Committee in La Serena | Diario El Día |
Does your hotel, winery or tour in the Elqui Valley want to reach Argentine travelers planning their summer?
See advertising optionsWhat it means for tourism in Coquimbo
Agua Negra is the summer gateway for many visitors from San Juan to La Serena, Coquimbo and the Elqui Valley. The Coquimbo business association and the tourism sector have voiced concern about a December without that flow, which hotels, restaurants and shops feel. The drop in Argentine visitors was already shaping the year: in the second quarter of 2026, arrivals from Argentina fell 43.2% year on year, according to the Undersecretariat of Tourism, as we reported in our story on foreign tourists in Chile in 2026.
How to travel between San Juan and Chile while Agua Negra is closed
- Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores): the main crossing between Mendoza and central Chile. It runs on its summer schedule; check its status on the day at pasosfronterizos.gov.cl and read our story on the Cristo Redentor Pass.
- Fly and take the bus: fly to Santiago or La Serena and continue overland to the Elqui Valley.
- Wait for confirmation: if you are traveling in January, book with flexible cancellation until the Ministry of Public Works sets the date.
Once it opens, the pass requires a vehicle in good condition, enough fuel and acclimatization: the road climbs above 4,700 meters. To plan the rest of the trip, see our guides to things to do in La Serena and Coquimbo and to the Elqui Valley and its observatories.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Agua Negra Pass open in 2026-2027?
There is no confirmed date. Chilean officials have ruled out December and expect the opening in early January 2027, depending on how clearing progresses.
How high is the Agua Negra Pass?
The international border signage reads 4,780 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest crossings between Chile and Argentina.
Where can I check the status of border crossings?
On the website of the Chilean government's Border Crossings Unit, pasosfronterizos.gov.cl, and its official channels, which report the daily status of each crossing.
