The Cristo Redentor Integrated System, the busiest border crossing between Chile and Argentina, remains open 24 hours and in both directions this Sunday, November 1, All Saints' Day, and authorities will decide on Wednesday whether to keep the round-the-clock schedule. The Pehuenche crossing, between Talca and Malargüe, remains closed by bad weather. The binational Cristo Redentor authorities gave the update, according to Diario Mendoza on October 31.
The weekend has two public holidays in Chile: Saturday, October 31 (Day of the Evangelical and Protestant Churches) and Sunday, November 1 (All Saints' Day). Since both fall on the weekend there is no Monday off, but traffic toward the Andes and Mendoza is higher. Here is what you need to know to cross.
Status of the Chile-Argentina border crossings this weekend
| Border crossing | Regions / provinces | Status | Latest report | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristo Redentor (Los Libertadores) | Valparaíso - Mendoza | Open 24 hours, both directions | October 31 | Diario Mendoza / El Cuco Digital |
| Pehuenche | Maule - Mendoza | Closed by bad weather, both directions | October 31 | Diario Mendoza / El Cuco Digital |
| Jama | Antofagasta - Jujuy | Open both ways, 8:00 to 20:00 (Argentine time) | October 31, 8:17 | El Tribuno de Jujuy |
| Sico | Antofagasta - Salta | Closed | October 30 | Aries On Line |
| Pino Hachado | Araucanía - Neuquén | Open, chains mandatory | October 30 | Vialidad Nacional via NeuquenNews |
| Icalma | Araucanía - Neuquén | Open, chains mandatory | October 30 | Vialidad Nacional via NeuquenNews |
| Mamuil Malal | Araucanía - Neuquén | Open, chains mandatory | October 30 | Vialidad Nacional via NeuquenNews |
| Cardenal Samoré | Los Lagos - Neuquén | Open, chains mandatory | October 30 | Vialidad Nacional via NeuquenNews |
| Agua Negra | Coquimbo - San Juan | Closed for the season, no opening date | October 30 | Canal 13 San Juan |
Sources: Diario Mendoza and El Cuco Digital (10-31-2026), El Tribuno de Jujuy (10-31-2026), Aries On Line, NeuquenNews with Argentina's Vialidad Nacional report (10-30-2026) and Canal 13 San Juan (10-30-2026). Status can change within hours: Chile's official source is the Border Crossings Unit (@UPFronterizos on X).
Cristo Redentor border crossing: 24 hours and short waits
The tunnel is back to normal after a difficult October, with snow closures on October 25 and 26 and a reopening with special hours on the 27th and 28th, which we followed in this story. Since October 30 it has been open 24 hours for trucks, buses and private cars, according to MinutoYA.
On Saturday waits were short: about 30 minutes at the Los Libertadores complex (Chilean side) and under 20 at Horcones (Argentine side), Diario Mendoza reported. The Uspallata and Guardia Vieja barriers stay open while the tunnel is open, and Route 60 in Chile and Route 7 in Argentina follow its status. On Saturday snow chains were also mandatory because of a forecast of light snow from midday, according to El Cuco Digital.
| Cristo Redentor | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | 24 hours, both directions, all vehicles | MinutoYA / Diario Mendoza |
| Next review of the schedule | Wednesday, November 4 | Diario Mendoza |
| Wait at Los Libertadores (Saturday) | About 30 minutes | Diario Mendoza |
| Wait at Horcones (Saturday) | Under 20 minutes | Diario Mendoza |
| Snow chains | Mandatory on Saturday, October 31 | El Cuco Digital |
| Temperature at Las Cuevas (Friday) | -10 °C | MinutoYA |
Pehuenche, Agua Negra and the high-altitude border crossings still closed
The Pehuenche crossing was closed on Saturday and Sunday in both directions because of bad weather, and normal traffic on Route 145 is not expected, Diario Mendoza reported. When open, departures from Argentina run from 9:00 to 18:00 and entries into Argentina from 9:00 to 19:00, according to El Cuco Digital.
The Agua Negra crossing, between the Elqui Valley and San Juan, still has no date for the 2026-2027 season. San Juan's government secretary, Emilio Achem, urged authorities to be "very cautious": opening depends on a binational safety review, the condition of the road and machinery work after the floods that hit Coquimbo. Last season, from November 26, 2025 to June 9, 2026, 21,975 vehicles and 72,315 people used it. We explain more in our Agua Negra story.
In the north, the Jama crossing reopened on Friday the 30th after several days of snow restrictions, while Sico remained closed. On October 31 Jama had clear skies, winds of 40 to 60 km/h and -2 °C. We covered the late-October snowfall in El Loa in this story.
Do you run a bus company, a hotel in Los Andes or a transfer service to Mendoza? Reach the travelers crossing the Andes.
See advertising optionsSouthern border crossings: open with chains
The four Neuquén crossings into Araucanía and Los Lagos were listed as open on October 30, but with mandatory physical snow chains and a warning to drive carefully, according to the Vialidad Nacional report published by NeuquenNews. These are the routes travelers use between Pucón, Temuco or Osorno and San Martín de los Andes, Junín de los Andes or Villa La Angostura.
| Southern crossing | Connects | Status on 10-30-2026 | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pino Hachado | Curacautín / Lonquimay - Zapala | Open | Snow chains mandatory |
| Icalma | Lonquimay - Aluminé | Open | Snow chains mandatory |
| Mamuil Malal | Pucón / Curarrehue - Junín de los Andes | Open | Snow chains mandatory |
| Cardenal Samoré | Osorno - Villa La Angostura | Open | Snow chains mandatory |
Source: Argentina's Vialidad Nacional, via NeuquenNews, October 30, 2026. To see which crossings tourists use most, check Chile's busiest border crossings for tourists.
What to check before using a border crossing
- Check the crossing's status on the day through the Border Crossings Unit (@UPFronterizos) or the Los Libertadores Border Coordination (CFLosLibertador), as authorities recommend.
- Carry snow chains on every high-altitude crossing: they are still mandatory in the south.
- Bring a valid ID or passport and, if the car is not in your name, a notarized authorization.
- Minors traveling without one of their parents need the corresponding notarized authorization.
- Do not carry undeclared fruit, vegetables, meat or dairy products: Chile's SAG inspects them on entry.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cristo Redentor crossing open today?
Yes. As of October 31 and for Sunday, November 1, it was open 24 hours in both directions, with a review of the schedule planned for Wednesday the 4th. Check before you leave.
Why is the Pehuenche crossing closed?
Because of bad weather in the mountains. It was closed in both directions on October 31 and November 1, with no reopening date.
When does the Agua Negra crossing open?
There is no date. San Juan and Coquimbo authorities are assessing road safety. Last season it opened on November 26, 2025.
Is November 1 a public holiday in Chile?
Yes, it is All Saints' Day. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, and Saturday, October 31 is also a holiday. See the public holidays left in 2026.
