Chile's government approved a budget supplement of CLP 1,376,235,670 for four border complexes in La Araucanía: Mamuil Malal, Icalma, Liucura and Pino Hachado. These are the crossings used by tourists coming from Neuquén, Argentina, and 431,819 foreign tourists entered through them in 2025. The Presidential Delegation of La Araucanía announced it and Tiempo21 reported it on November 3.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, November 5, the Mamuil Malal pass, which links Junín de los Andes with Pucón, closed to traffic from 12:00 to 19:00 for paving works on Provincial Route 60 on the Argentine side, as announced by Argentina's Gendarmería and reported by Diario Neuquino.
View the data as a table
| Total approved | $1,376 million |
| Malleco | $783.7 million |
| Cautín | $592.5 million |
How the investment in La Araucanía's border crossings is split
| Province | Complexes | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Malleco | Icalma, Liucura and Pino Hachado | CLP 783,735,670 |
| Cautín | Mamuil Malal | CLP 592,500,000 |
| Total | Four complexes | CLP 1,376,235,670 |
Source: Government of Chile, via Tiempo21, November 3, 2026. The funds go to the Border Complex Administration Program and are earmarked for consumer goods and services and for machinery and equipment. The announcement does not say how much each Malleco complex will get or set a timetable, and it includes no construction or expansion works. It is an operating boost, not a new project.
La Araucanía's presidential delegate said operational crossings are key for connectivity, the movement of people and tourism in the region. The funding arrives two months before the high season, when these crossings receive more than twice as many tourists as in winter.
Mamuil Malal closure: November 5 schedule
| Time (November 5) | Traffic status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 to 12:00 | Open | Diario Neuquino |
| 12:00 to 19:00 | Closed between the Lanín National Park gateway and the Chilean border | Realidad Sanmartinense |
| From 19:00 | Reopens | Realidad Sanmartinense |
The closure is to install a cross pipe on the stretch between the Lanín National Park gateway and the border, part of the paving of Route 60. No detour was announced. Argentina and Chile share the same time at this time of year, so the hours match on both sides. As paving continues there may be further closures: check each crossing's status at pasosfronterizos.gob.cl before setting off.
How many tourists use La Araucanía's border crossings
View the data as a table
| Pino Hachado | 2025: 193,145 · Jan-Aug 2026: 73,504 |
| Mamuil Malal | 2025: 176,423 · Jan-Aug 2026: 85,997 |
| Icalma | 2025: 62,251 · Jan-Aug 2026: 24,251 |
| Crossing (complex) | 2019 | 2024 | 2025 | January-August 2026 | Jan-Aug change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pino Hachado | 76,588 | 134,333 | 193,145 | 73,504 | -48.3% |
| Mamuil Malal (Puesco complex) | 99,306 | 126,735 | 176,423 | 85,997 | -24.1% |
| Icalma | 22,906 | 35,474 | 62,251 | 24,251 | -51.8% |
| Total, three crossings | 198,800 | 296,542 | 431,819 | 183,752 | -39.9% |
Source: Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur, foreign tourist arrivals by border crossing (preliminary figures since 2020). Change vs. January-August 2025: Viajando Chile calculation. 2025 was a record year for all three crossings, driven by Argentine tourism; in 2026 arrivals are falling, as across the country, because of the drop in Argentine visitors. Background in Argentine tourists in Chile.
View the data as a table
| Pino Hachado | Mamuil Malal | Icalma | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 107,580 | 109,957 | 32,832 |
| 2016 | 191,313 | 169,686 | 50,884 |
| 2017 | 192,409 | 173,688 | 45,747 |
| 2018 | 121,248 | 162,581 | 32,680 |
| 2019 | 76,588 | 99,306 | 22,906 |
| 2020 | 26,016 | 31,420 | 9,347 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 30,457 | 28,207 | 6,723 |
| 2023 | 69,469 | 73,928 | 22,477 |
| 2024 | 134,333 | 126,735 | 35,474 |
| 2025 | 193,145 | 176,423 | 62,251 |
Mamuil Malal is La Araucanía's busiest crossing in 2026 and the one that matters most in summer: in January 2026, 27,303 foreign tourists crossed at Puesco. It is the direct way into Pucón and Villarrica volcano; Pino Hachado connects Zapala with Lonquimay and Temuco, and Icalma leads to Conguillío National Park.
What to know before crossing into Chile via La Araucanía in summer
- Check the crossing's status on the day at pasosfronterizos.gob.cl: late snow, roadworks or wildfires can close a pass at short notice.
- Car papers: if you're driving an Argentine vehicle, bring the title or notarized authorization and the mandatory insurance for Chile.
- SAG (agricultural control): fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy cannot be brought in undeclared. Fines are high.
- For Pucón, Mamuil Malal is about 75 km away.
- If you're crossing further south, a summary of the busiest crossings is in Chile's border crossings with the most tourists.
The classic route after crossing at Mamuil Malal is La Araucanía's Seven Lakes Route, with Curarrehue, Pucón and Villarrica.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mamuil Malal pass open?
Yes, but on November 5, 2026 traffic was halted from 12:00 to 19:00 for works on Neuquén's Route 60. There may be further closures while paving continues; check pasosfronterizos.gob.cl.
How much is the government investing in La Araucanía's crossings?
CLP 1,376,235,670: CLP 592.5 million for Mamuil Malal and CLP 783.7 million for Icalma, Liucura and Pino Hachado, for operations, goods and services and equipment.
Which La Araucanía border crossing has the most tourists?
In 2025, Pino Hachado (193,145 arrivals), followed by Mamuil Malal (176,423) and Icalma (62,251). From January to August 2026, Mamuil Malal leads with 85,997.
Which crossing is best for Pucón from Argentina?
Mamuil Malal, which connects Junín de los Andes with Curarrehue and Pucón via route CH-199.
