The Cristo Redentor pass, known in Chile as Los Libertadores, reopens gradually from this Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and private cars and buses will only be able to cross from Friday the 23rd. The schedule was announced by Argentina's National Directorate of Border Technical Affairs, as reported by Los Andes and Mendoza Post on the morning of the 21st. The first two days are reserved for the trucks that piled up on both sides of the Andes.
The border complex had been closed since 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, when Chile and Argentina suspended traffic because of the instability forecast in the high mountains; the international tunnel closed completely at 10 p.m., Cooperativa reported, citing the Los Andes Provincial Presidential Delegation.
Cristo Redentor pass reopening schedule
| Day | Hours | Who can cross | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 21 | From 9:00 a.m. | Trucks and cargo vehicles only | Argentina to Chile |
| Thursday, October 22 | From 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Friday | Cargo vehicles only | Chile to Argentina |
| Friday, October 23 | 24 hours | All vehicles (cars, buses and cargo) | Both directions |
Source: National Directorate of Border Technical Affairs (Argentina), via Los Andes and Mendoza Post, October 21, 2026. The plan depends on high-mountain weather and may change without notice.
In other words: anyone travelling by car or bus between Santiago and Mendoza should plan for Friday the 23rd onwards. International bus companies usually reschedule departures when the pass is closed, so confirm your departure time with the company before going to the terminal.
Why the Cristo Redentor pass closed again
Sunday's closure was preventive: forecasts called for snow in the Andes of Mendoza and Los Andes from the same weather front that brought rain to central Chile between Monday 19 and Wednesday 21. The authorities described it as a staggered interruption to clear the road and keep travellers from being stranded in risk areas, according to La Tercera, as cited by Cooperativa.
It is not the first closure this month. On October 11 the pass had reopened to all vehicles after another run of snowfalls, as we reported when Cristo Redentor reopened 24 hours a day. October 2026 has been unusually snowy in the central Andes, which extended the ski season but complicated the crossing to Argentina.
What to check before crossing the Cristo Redentor pass
- Pass status on the day: the official Los Libertadores International Pass account and the Los Andes Provincial Presidential Delegation announce openings and closures; in Argentina, the Interior Secretariat publishes international pass alerts.
- Snow chains: with snow on the road, Chilean police and Argentina's Gendarmería may require chains on the Los Caracoles bends and on the Argentine side.
- Departure time: the first day of general reopening usually brings long queues at the complex; leaving early cuts the wait.
- Fuel and warm clothes: there are few services between Los Andes and Uspallata, and waits in the high mountains can last several hours.
How much this pass matters for tourism
The Cristo Redentor system is Chile's second gateway for tourists, behind only Santiago airport: in 2025, 1,119,198 foreign tourists entered through it, 18.6% of the year's total, according to the arrivals-by-border-crossing series compiled by Sernatur with data from the PDI (Chile's investigative police). Between January and August 2026 the figure fell 47.7% because of the drop in Argentine tourism. The full ranking is in our data sheet on Chile's busiest border crossings for tourists.
| Period | Foreign tourists who entered via Cristo Redentor | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 542,293 | — |
| 2024 | 905,876 | — |
| 2025 | 1,119,198 | +23.5% vs 2024 |
| January-August 2025 | 815,536 | — |
| January-August 2026 | 426,262 | -47.7% |
Source: Sernatur with PDI data, arrivals-by-border-crossing series published in October 2026. Changes calculated by Viajando Chile. The figures only count tourists entering Chile, not Chileans leaving for Mendoza, who also use the pass.
For shops, hotels and services along the route, every closure hurts. In 2025, a record year for the pass, an average of more than 3,000 foreign tourists a day entered Chile through Cristo Redentor. This year, with Argentine tourism down and several snow closures, the flow is at less than half.
Does your bus company, hotel or service on the road to Mendoza want to reach travellers crossing the Andes?
See advertising optionsDocuments to cross into Argentina by land
| Who is travelling | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Chileans and residents of Chile | Valid national ID card or passport |
| Foreign tourists | Passport (or a document accepted for their nationality) and a visa, if their country needs one |
| Minors | ID and, if not travelling with both parents, the corresponding notarised authorisation |
| Chilean-registered car | Vehicle registration, mandatory insurance for driving in Argentina and, if the car is not yours, the owner's notarised authorisation |
General requirements for crossing into Argentina by land. Before travelling, confirm them on the websites of the PDI and Chile's National Customs Service, because they vary by nationality and type of vehicle.
Alternatives if you cannot wait
- Fly: Santiago and Mendoza have direct flights; with the pass closed, demand and fares go up.
- Other passes: at this time of year several central and southern Andean passes also have snow restrictions; the Agua Negra pass, for example, still has no opening date.
- Wait in Los Andes: if you are already on the road, the town of Los Andes and the Aconcagua valley have accommodation and services while you wait for the reopening.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cristo Redentor pass open today?
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, only trucks can cross, from Argentina to Chile, from 9:00 a.m. Private cars and buses can cross from Friday the 23rd, weather permitting.
Since when had it been closed?
Since 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, because of the snow forecast in the high mountains.
Where can I confirm the pass status?
On the official channels of the Los Libertadores International Pass and the Los Andes Provincial Presidential Delegation, and in Argentina, on the international pass alerts website.
