Travelers crossing the Andes between southern Mendoza and Chile's Maule Region via the Pehuenche or Vergara (El Planchón) passes will get 3-for-2 lodging and 15% off restaurants and excursions with the Andes Conecta Pass, valid from November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. It is backed by public and private stakeholders in San Rafael, General Alvear and Malargüe together with Chile's National Tourism Service (Sernatur), according to Diario San Rafael (November 2, 2026).
*Updated November 3, 2026.* Note: the Pehuenche pass is still closed by snow and avalanches, and Vergara is a summer-only pass. The benefit exists, but for now there is almost nowhere to cross.
What discounts the Andes Conecta Pass offers
| Category | Benefit | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Lodging | 3-for-2 (three nights for the price of two) at participating properties | Both sides of the Andes |
| Food | 15% off | Participating restaurants |
| Excursions and adventure tourism | 15% off | Participating providers |
| Validity | November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 | — |
Source: Diario San Rafael. Participating providers in Malargüe, San Rafael and General Alvear are listed on the program's official site, which asks travelers to check availability and conditions with each provider before booking. We have not yet found a public list of participating businesses on the Chilean side, nor a Sernatur statement about the pass.
How to use the Andes Conecta Pass
- Cross via the Pehuenche pass or the Vergara pass (El Planchón). Other crossings, such as Cristo Redentor, do not qualify.
- Keep your migration card (the entry slip issued at the border): it proves you entered through one of the two passes.
- Scan the official QR code displayed at participating businesses to see each one's benefit.
- Confirm conditions before booking: the 3-for-2 and the discounts depend on each provider's availability.
Andes Conecta Pass destinations in Chile and Argentina
| Side | Towns included | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Chile (Maule Region) | Talca, Curicó, Linares and Cauquenes | Maule wineries, Central Valley towns and access to the coast |
| Argentina (southern Mendoza) | San Rafael, General Alvear and Malargüe | Atuel Canyon, reservoirs, Las Leñas and the Malargüe volcanoes |
Source: Diario San Rafael. On the Chilean side, the Maule is a land of dry-farmed vineyards and old vines: see the dry-farmed wines of Itata and Maule and our Central Valley wine road trip.
How many tourists enter Chile via Pehuenche and Vergara
Pehuenche is the Maule pass that has grown the most: 71,653 foreign tourists entered through it in 2025, the highest in the series, according to border-crossing arrivals from Subturismo and Sernatur. Vergara, open only in summer, had 1,307.
| Pass | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (Jan-Aug) | Busiest month of 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pehuenche | 29,220 | 71,653 | 24,318 | January (19,166) |
| Vergara (El Planchón) | 0 | 1,307 | 680 | January (560) |
Source: Subturismo and Sernatur, "Cuadro por Paso Fronterizo" sheet. In 2021 Pehuenche recorded no entries because borders were closed. The comparison with other crossings is in the border crossings with the most tourists.
Pehuenche pass status as of November 3
Pehuenche has been closed since mid-July. On the Argentine side "everything is ready and in good condition up to the border," and on the Chilean side a track has been opened with work still pending, Cristo Redentor border-centers coordinator Osvaldo Valle told Diario San Rafael on November 2. If the weather holds, it could reopen "in the coming days"; the tentative date discussed was November 7. We are following it in our Pehuenche story.
Do you run a hotel, winery or tour in the Maule? Reach the Argentines planning to cross via Pehuenche.
See advertising optionsFrequently asked questions
What is the Andes Conecta Pass?
A binational discount program for travelers crossing between southern Mendoza and the Maule via the Pehuenche or Vergara passes: 3-for-2 lodging and 15% off participating restaurants and excursions.
How long is the Andes Conecta Pass valid?
From November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
What document do I need for the discount?
The migration card proving entry via Pehuenche or Vergara. Then scan the participating business's QR code.
Is the Pehuenche pass open?
As of November 3, 2026, it was still closed. It is expected to reopen in the coming days if the weather allows; check pasosfronterizos.gob.cl before you travel.
