The San Francisco international crossing, which links Chile's Atacama Region with Catamarca in Argentina, will stay closed until further notice: the reopening planned for Thursday 12 November 2026 was suspended. Catamarca's Ministry of Regional Integration, Logistics and Transport announced it, according to La Unión, and Atacama's presidential delegate Sofía Cid confirmed it, explaining that the decision is about road safety because snowmelt is damaging route CH-31, according to Radio Nostálgica.
There is no reopening date. The delegation says the complex will remain closed while the Ministry of Public Works restores the mountain road, according to Epicentro Chile. On the Argentine side, the status is published at pasosanfrancisco.catamarca.gob.ar.
Paso San Francisco closed: what we know
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Status on 13 November | Closed to international traffic, no date | La Unión and Epicentro |
| Suspended reopening | Thursday 12 November 2026 | Government of Catamarca |
| Reason given in Chile | Snowmelt and weather on route CH-31 | Atacama Presidential Delegation |
| Altitude of the complex | 4,748 metres | Border Crossings Unit |
| Nearest Chilean town | Copiapó | Border Crossings Unit |
The closure prompted complaints in Tinogasta, Catamarca, about last-minute schedule changes: a resident told Radio Nostálgica that travellers plan trips and expenses that are then lost. The delegate acknowledged the crossing's importance for tourism and trade but insisted it must open in safe conditions.
How many tourists enter Chile via Paso San Francisco
San Francisco is a small crossing by volume, but it has grown fast: 9,269 foreign tourists entered in 2025, more than double 2019 (4,156) and the second-best figure since 2008, after 2017 (11,260), according to arrivals by border crossing from the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur. In August 2026 the figure was 0 because the crossing was already closed.
View the data as a table
| San Francisco | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2,218 |
| 2009 | 3,214 |
| 2010 | 6,196 |
| 2011 | 2,376 |
| 2012 | 6,082 |
| 2013 | 6,168 |
| 2014 | 2,832 |
| 2015 | 3,516 |
| 2016 | 6,009 |
| 2017 | 11,260 |
| 2018 | 8,110 |
| 2019 | 4,156 |
| 2020 | 1,825 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 198 |
| 2023 | 2,642 |
| 2024 | 4,275 |
| 2025 | 9,269 |
View the data as a table
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2,977 | 2,434 |
| Feb | 1,940 | 1,039 |
| Mar | 872 | 655 |
| Apr | 443 | 362 |
| May | 284 | 239 |
| Jun | 141 | 217 |
| Jul | 294 | 92 |
| Aug | 108 | 0 |
| Sep | 268 | No data |
| Oct | 583 | No data |
| Nov | 735 | No data |
| Dec | 624 | No data |
| Year | Tourists entering via San Francisco |
|---|---|
| 2017 (record) | 11,260 |
| 2019 | 4,156 |
| 2023 | 2,642 |
| 2024 | 4,275 |
| 2025 | 9,269 |
| 2026 (January-August) | 5,038 |
Alternatives to Paso San Francisco and the Hito Cajón complaint
To cross between Chile and north-western Argentina, the usual alternatives are Jama (San Pedro de Atacama-Jujuy) and, further south, Los Libertadores. Agua Negra, in Coquimbo, has not opened its season yet, as we explained in our Agua Negra story.
At Hito Cajón, the crossing into Bolivia used by tours from San Pedro de Atacama to the Uyuni salt flat, congresswoman Hernando denounced long waits and tourists sleeping on the floor because of a lack of basic services at the complex, and announced official requests for explanations, SoyChile reported. Hito Cajón sits at 4,549 metres and only admits small vehicles and minibuses, according to the Border Crossings Unit; 56,019 tourists entered there in 2025, a record for the series.
What to do if you had to cross
- Check the status on the day at pasosfronterizos.gob.cl and on the Catamarca crossing website: openings are announced at short notice.
- If you are going to Catamarca or La Rioja, plan the detour via Jama or Los Libertadores and allow an extra day.
- At Hito Cajón, bring water, warm clothes and food: waits can be long and the complex has few services.
- Altitude: northern crossings are above 4,000 metres. Read how October snowfalls affected Jama, Sico and Hito Cajón and the busiest border crossings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paso San Francisco open?
No. As of 13 November 2026 it remains closed to international traffic and there is no reopening date.
Why is Paso San Francisco closed?
For road safety: snowmelt and weather are damaging route CH-31, according to the Atacama Presidential Delegation.
Where can I cross into Argentina from northern Chile?
The most used option is Paso Jama, from San Pedro de Atacama. Check its status on the day you travel.
