The Argentina Guide

Cristo Redentor Pass Closed: Polar Front, July 15–20

· 2 min read Travel News
Mendoza city with the Andes mountains in the background, Argentina

Contents

  1. Who is affected
  2. Planning around the closure

A polar front moving across the southern Andes has forced the closure of Paso Internacional Los Libertadores - the mountain crossing that connects Mendoza with Santiago via the Cristo Redentor road tunnel - from approximately 15 to 20 July 2026. Argentine road authority Vialidad Nacional has suspended all crossings until conditions improve.

This is the main overland route between Argentina and Chile and one of the busiest border crossings in South America. Winter closures here occur regularly between June and August, but the current polar front is forecast to bring unusually heavy snowfall above 2,000 metres, extending the closure beyond the typical 24–48 hours.

Who is affected

The closure affects:

  • Bus travellers on the Mendoza–Santiago corridor. All international bus services via Paso Los Libertadores are suspended during the closure. Companies operating the route include Andesmar, Cata, and Turbus. Travellers with existing bookings should contact their operator directly.
  • Private vehicle crossings via Ruta Nacional 7, which is closed at the Argentine customs post at Horcones.
  • Freight traffic, which may have knock-on effects on food and goods availability between the two countries.

Air travel between Mendoza and Santiago is not affected. Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM operate daily flights on this sector; at approximately one hour of flight time, air is the straightforward alternative during any road closure.

Planning around the closure

Check the Vialidad Nacional road status portal (vialidad.gob.ar) for daily updates - conditions at altitude can shift quickly, and a forecast closure sometimes reopens sooner than announced if snowfall eases.

If you are in Mendoza and need to reach Santiago urgently, Mendoza Airport (El Plumerillo, code MDZ) serves the route with multiple daily departures. Book early during closure periods as seats fill quickly.

Our Mendoza guide covers the city, airport connections, and what to plan around winter travel in wine country. For those continuing south after Santiago, our Buenos Aires guide has information on domestic flight options deeper into Patagonia.