The Jama, Sico and Hito Cajón border crossings, in Chile's El Loa province, have been closed since 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, when the El Loa Provincial Presidential Delegation banned cars and trucks from routes CH-23 and CH-27 because of a snow forecast for the Andes. On Tuesday the 27th, the Jama Pass was still closed with no reopening time, according to the Road Safety Department of Jujuy, Argentina, quoted by Todo Jujuy.
And the bad weather is not over: Chile's disaster prevention and response service (Senapred) issued a Preventive Early Alert for El Loa province for thunderstorms on Wednesday the 28th and Thursday the 29th, and for normal to moderate snowfall, with 5 to 15 centimeters of accumulation, on Thursday the 29th and Friday, October 30, based on data from the Chilean Meteorological Office, Calama en Línea reported. This story was updated with the information available at midday on October 28.
Which crossings and roads are closed in El Loa
| Crossing or road | Connects with | Reported status | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route CH-27 | San Pedro de Atacama and the Jama Pass | Closed to cars and trucks since Oct 26, 2:00 p.m. | El Loa Provincial Presidential Delegation, Oct 26 |
| Route CH-23 | San Pedro de Atacama, Socaire and the Sico Pass | Closed to cars and trucks since Oct 26, 2:00 p.m. | El Loa Provincial Presidential Delegation, Oct 26 |
| Jama Pass | Argentina (Jujuy) | Closed on Oct 27 by snow, sleet and wind | Jujuy Road Safety, Oct 27 |
| Sico Pass | Argentina (Salta) | Closed on Oct 27 to all vehicles | Salta Civil Defense, via Salta Mining, Oct 27 |
| Hito Cajón Pass | Bolivia | Closed since Oct 26 | El Loa Provincial Presidential Delegation, Oct 26 |
| Ollagüe Pass | Bolivia | Not among the reported closures | Check before you travel |
Sources: En La Línea and Calama en Línea (October 26), Todo Jujuy and Salta Mining (October 27). The official announcement gave no reopening date and did not specify which kilometers are affected.
The Jama Pass and the forecast for October 29 and 30
The Jama Pass is the most used link between San Pedro de Atacama and northern Argentina: route CH-27 climbs from the town to the border complex, which sits at 4,200 meters above sea level according to Chile's Border Crossings Unit. At that altitude, a few centimeters of snow plus wind are enough to close the road.
| Day | Forecast for the Antofagasta Andes | What to expect on the roads |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, October 28 | Thunderstorms in the foothills, Alto El Loa and the high Andes | Possible mud and debris in ravines |
| Thursday, October 29 | Thunderstorms and normal to moderate snowfall | New preventive closures on high roads |
| Friday, October 30 | Snowfall, with 5 to 15 cm accumulated in total | Reopening depends on snow clearing by the roads agency |
Source: Senapred Preventive Early Alert with a forecast from the Chilean Meteorological Office, according to Calama en Línea (October 27, 2026). The alert remains in force "as long as weather conditions warrant it" and also covers the municipalities of Antofagasta and Taltal.
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See advertising optionsWhat it means if you are traveling to San Pedro de Atacama
- The town and the lower areas around it remain accessible: the closures affect the roads that climb to the border. The road between Calama and San Pedro was not among the closures reported as of October 28.
- High-altitude tours may be canceled: the Altiplano lagoons and Piedras Rojas are reached via CH-23, the same road that leads to Sico. Ask your operator before paying and check the refund policy.
- Nearby outings as an alternative: Valle de la Luna and Laguna Cejar are lower and close to town, although thunderstorms can also force outdoor sites to close.
- If you are driving to or from Argentina: there is no open alternative crossing nearby in the region. Further south, the Cristo Redentor Pass has also had snow closures this week.
- International buses: companies that cross via Jama usually reschedule departures. Confirm with the company the day before.
How to check the Jama Pass status before you set off
- Border Crossings Unit: publishes the status of each complex at pasosfronterizos.gob.cl and on its WhatsApp channel, with real-time changes.
- El Loa Provincial Presidential Delegation: the authority that orders closures of routes CH-23 and CH-27.
- Senapred: reports the alerts in force in each region.
- Argentine side: Jujuy's Road Safety Department reports on Jama, and Salta's Civil Defense on Sico.
Before crossing, remember that Jama and Sico are high-altitude passes: carry water, warm clothes, extra fuel and your vehicle documents. To see how many people use each crossing, check our ranking of Chile's busiest border crossings for tourists.
El Loa's four border crossings in normal times
Even in good weather, not every crossing in the province takes any type of vehicle. This is the usual authorization listed by the Border Crossings Unit on each complex's page, regardless of weather closures:
| Crossing | Neighboring country | Road in Chile | Open to (official page) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jama | Argentina | CH-27 | Integrated complex on Argentine territory, at 4,200 m |
| Sico | Argentina | CH-23 | Light vehicles only |
| Hito Cajón | Bolivia | Turnoff from CH-27 | Light vehicles and minibuses only |
| Ollagüe | Bolivia | Road from Calama via the Ascotán salt flat | All vehicles |
Source: pages for Jama, Sico, Hito Cajón and Ollagüe at pasosfronterizos.gob.cl, checked on October 28, 2026. Hito Cajón is the usual exit point for tours from San Pedro de Atacama to the Uyuni salt flat in Bolivia: if you have one booked for these days, ask the agency whether it will be rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jama Pass open today?
As of October 27, 2026, it was still closed by snow and wind, with no reopening time. With snow forecast for October 29 and 30, restrictions are likely to continue. Check pasosfronterizos.gob.cl before leaving.
Can I travel to San Pedro de Atacama this week?
Yes. The reported closures affect the roads that climb to the border, not access from Calama. What may change are the high-altitude tours, which depend on the weather.
How much snow is expected?
Senapred reported accumulations of 5 to 15 centimeters in the high Andes between Thursday the 29th and Friday, October 30.
