Paso Internacional Rio Jeinimeni was the 87th overland border we’ve crossed so far on our Trans-Americas Journey road trip. This is the southernmost vehicle crossing along the main part of Chile. The next border crossing south of here is Paso Rio Don Guillermo in the Magallanes region of Chile, near Torres del Paine National Park, more than 500 miles (830 km) south of this border. Route 265 along the south shore of General Carrera Lake between Puerto Guadal to Chile Chico was a pot-holed, washboarded wreck when we drove it, but other than that this border crossing was a breeze. Here’s what to expect and what to be prepared for when crossing the Paso Jeinimeni border from Chile to Argentina.
Entering Argentina via the Jeinimeni border with Chile.
To: Los Antiguos, Argentina
Date: February 1, 2023
Lay of the land: This is not an integrated border. We reached the Chile facilities where it took about 30 minutes to get stamped out and to cancel our Chile Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) for the truck. Then we drove about 4 miles (6.5 km) to the Argentina facilities where it took about 15 minutes to get stamped into the country and receive an Argentinean TIP. A soldier then looked into our cooler and poked around a few things in the back of our truck, then let us pass.
Elapsed time: 1 hour (12:30 to 1:30)
Number of days given: 90 days for us and 90 days on the Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) for our truck.
Fees: none
Border services: There are clean bathrooms within the Chile facilities, but there are no other services at this crossing.
Vehicle insurance needed: You must have third-party insurance for your vehicle to drive legally in Chile and Argentina. We bought a long-term policy that covers us in the MERCOSUR countries of Argentina, Chile, Perú, Brasil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia online. Additionally, Chile requires that drivers carry supplemental insurance called Soapex which you can also purchase in advance online. There are no facilities for purchasing insurance at this border.
Where to fill up: Fuel is available in Chile Chico but, when we were there, fuel was much cheaper in Argentina because of the exchange rate at the time. Though you should note that gas is easy to find in Los Antiguos, but diesel is sometimes scarce. About 45 miles past Los Antiguos, at the intersection with Ruta 40 in the town of Perito Moreno, there are large YPF and Axion fuel stations.
Need to know: The Chile Chico border facilities are open from 8 am to 10 pm. During certain times of the year, you may lose an hour when you cross from Argentina into Chile (or gain an hour in the other direction) because Argentina does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Check the local time at the border once you’ve made your crossing. And this border can be closed unexpectedly due to bad weather. Check the status of border crossings in Chile here. And check the status of border crossings on the Argentina side here.
Overall border rating: Cargo trucks don’t use this border so things tend to move more quickly and more smoothly than borders that are used by big rigs.
Here’s more about travel in Argentina
Here’s more about travel in Chile
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