The Cristo Redentor pass, the main land crossing between Chile and Argentina, reopens this Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 12:00, but on a special schedule: today you can only cross from Argentina into Chile, and on Wednesday the 28th traffic will first run only toward Argentina and then, from 16:00, in both directions. The reopening comes after two days of closure due to snowfall, accumulated snow and poor visibility in the high Andes, according to Los Andes and MinutoYA.
The pass had closed as a precaution on the night of Sunday the 25th, just two days after reopening following another week of snowfall, as we reported in the October 26 closure of the Cristo Redentor pass. The official report at 8:00 this Tuesday confirmed the phased reopening.
Cristo Redentor pass schedule on Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October
| Day and time | Direction open | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 27, 12:00 to 24:00 | Argentina to Chile only | All vehicle types |
| Tuesday 27, 22:00 | Uspallata barrier closes (Argentine side) | Anyone who has not passed by then cannot cross that day |
| Wednesday 28, 4:00 to 16:00 | Chile to Argentina only | All vehicle types |
| Wednesday 28, from 16:00 | Both directions | All vehicle types |
Source: schedule announced by the Cristo Redentor Integrated System, according to Los Andes and MinutoYA (October 27, 2026). With Chilean daylight saving time, in force since September, mainland Chile and Mendoza are on the same time. Times may change if the weather worsens in the high mountains.
What the schedule means for travelers heading to Chile or Mendoza
- If you are coming from Mendoza to Chile: you can cross today from 12:00, but you must get through the Uspallata barrier before 22:00.
- If you are leaving Chile for Mendoza: there is no crossing in that direction today. The first window is Wednesday the 28th from 4:00, and from 16:00 the pass opens in both directions.
- If you are traveling by bus: companies reschedule departures according to the status of the pass; check before going to the terminal.
- If you have a flight from Mendoza or Santiago: allow plenty of time. After the reopening on Friday the 23rd there were queues of more than a kilometer and delays of over five hours at the border posts, according to Los Andes.
Why the Cristo Redentor pass closed
The closure on Sunday the 25th was decided because of heavy snowfall, snow building up on the road and poor visibility on National Route 7, on the Argentine side. Drivers also reported poor road surfaces, according to Los Andes. Good weather is expected in the high mountains in the coming days, which would allow traffic to return to normal.
October has been a month of repeated closures. The pass closed to private cars on Sunday the 18th, reopened in stages between Wednesday the 21st and Friday the 23rd, as we reported in the gradual reopening of Cristo Redentor, and closed again on Sunday the 25th. In between there were two avalanches on the Chilean Los Caracoles section.
| Date (October 2026) | Status of the Cristo Redentor pass |
|---|---|
| Sunday 18 | Closed to private vehicles due to snowfall |
| Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 | Trucks only, one direction at a time |
| Friday 23, 8:00 | Reopened to all vehicle types |
| Sunday 25, 22:00 | Precautionary closure due to bad weather |
| Tuesday 27, 12:00 | Reopened toward Chile only |
| Wednesday 28, 16:00 | Traffic in both directions |
Source: Los Andes, Diario Mendoza and MinutoYA. Timeline: Viajando Chile.
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Tips for crossing the Cristo Redentor pass this week
- Check the status before you leave: the official accounts are @UPFronterizos (Chile's Border Crossings Unit) and @CFLosLibertador (Los Libertadores Border Complex), plus the pasosfronterizos.gov.cl website.
- Carry chains and warm clothing: with snow on the upper section, the road authority (Vialidad) may require chains even when the pass is open.
- Fill up the tank and bring water and food: waits at the border posts can exceed several hours.
- Keep your documents handy: passport or ID card, vehicle papers and, if the car is not yours, the corresponding notarized authorization.
- Do not carry undeclared fresh plant or animal products: the SAG agricultural inspection on the Chilean side checks luggage.
Other border crossings between Chile and Argentina
Cristo Redentor is the second-largest point of entry for foreign tourists to Chile after Santiago airport. Between January and August 2026, 426,262 tourists entered through it, 47.7% fewer than in the same period of 2025, according to Sernatur figures cited by Ladevi. The full ranking is in border crossings with the most tourists. Further north, the Agua Negra pass still has no opening date, as we explain in the Agua Negra pass.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cristo Redentor pass open today?
Yes, from 12:00 on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, but only in the Argentina-to-Chile direction, and the Uspallata barrier closes at 22:00.
When can you cross from Chile to Mendoza?
On Wednesday, October 28 from 4:00. From 16:00 that day the pass opens in both directions, weather permitting.
Are Chile and Mendoza on the same time?
Yes. Since September, with mainland Chile's daylight saving time, both sides of the pass are on the same time.
