Cristo Redentor Pass: Mendoza to Chile Border Crossing 2026
Paso Cristo Redentor, called Los Libertadores on the Chilean side, is the main road crossing between Argentina and Chile. It runs through a tunnel at about 3,200 meters in the Andes, linking Mendoza with Santiago and Valparaíso. It is the classic Argentina visa run for people based in Mendoza, and one of the most spectacular border crossings in the world.
Quick Facts
- Argentina side: Mendoza province, via Uspallata and Las Cuevas
- Chile side: Los Libertadores complex, Valparaíso region
- Hours: 24 hours in summer; about 08:00 to 20:00 in winter, with road barriers closing around 18:00
- Weather: frequent closures for snow and wind, especially June to September
Winter Closures Are Real
In July and August 2026, the pass closed for close to a month because of snow and wind storms, a record winter closure, leaving thousands of trucks and travelers stranded. Short closures of a day or two happen several times every winter. In October 2026 it was operating while the Pehuenche pass further south was closed.
If you are on a visa deadline, do not leave this crossing until your last few days. A closure can easily turn into an overstay. In winter, consider flying from Mendoza to Santiago instead.
Getting There
Buses run daily between Mendoza and Santiago. In good conditions the trip takes six to eight hours, including the border, but lines at the complex can add hours in peak season. Check the official status before you leave. Argentina’s Paso Cristo Redentor page and Chile’s Los Libertadores updates both post closures.
Chile Entry
Most Western visitors get 90 days in Chile. Chile is strict about food and plant products, so declare anything you are carrying on the agricultural (SAG) form or leave it behind. Fines for undeclared fruit or meat are common.
Argentina’s Tourist Stay And Visa Runs
Most Western visitors get up to 90 days in Argentina on arrival. You can apply once for a 90-day extension at a Dirección Nacional de Migraciones office, but most long-stay visitors cross into Chile or Uruguay and come back instead. That still works, but it is not a right. Under Decree 366/2025, border officers can refuse entry if they have good reason to believe a “tourist” is really living or working in Argentina, and they can give fewer than 90 days. Since mid-2025, visitors without permanent residency may also be asked for health insurance covering their stay.
Bring Proof Of Onward Travel
Border officers on a visa run are deciding one thing: will you leave again on time? A confirmed onward or return booking is the quickest way to answer that. It matters most when you are re-entering a country you only just left, and on the flight leg if your run involves one.
If you do not want to commit to a real ticket yet, Fast Onward Tickets issues an onward flight reservation in minutes. See our complete guide to proof of onward travel for what officers and airlines accept.
FAQs
Can I do a same-day visa run from Mendoza?
Some people go only as far as the Chilean side and return, but it is a long mountain day. An overnight in Santiago or Los Andes is more realistic.
Does altitude affect the trip?
The road passes over 3,000 meters. Most people are fine on a bus, but take it easy if you are sensitive to altitude.
Is there another crossing near Mendoza?
Paso Pehuenche, further south, which also closes in bad weather.
The Bottom Line
Cristo Redentor is a stunning visa run in summer and a gamble in winter. Leave plenty of margin before your stay expires, and carry proof of your onward travel.