Paso Bella Vista | Customs and Immigration
Argentina
Details
- Verified:
- 2 months ago
- GPS:
- -53.99981, -68.60692
- Altitude:
- 171.6 masl
- Contributor:
-
motojeros.blogspot.com.ar
Amenities
Something not right?
Description
Update Feb ‘20: a new bridge has been created which is actually paved and therefore accessible for all vehicles
Argentine side is a small outpost right at the river. Chilean side is a km away from the river. Bathrooms available. Tent camping on football field is possible.
Photos
Why? By checking in after you’ve visited a place you let others know this place is still functional. You can also add or correct any information.
Latest Check-Ins
This border crossing is OPEN again with a new bridge. Crossed from Argentina to Chille without problem
Report Check-InCrossed the border today from Chile. Although some locals in Porvenir said the bridge at the border was still not open yet, we asked in the Russfin wood factory and they said it was. The police station just before the border in Pampa Guanaco confirmed. Bridge looked very well made (see photo). Both sides went very smooth and fast for us. They didn’t look into our campervan. We didn’t have our Declaración Jurada however, but luckily the customs officer let us in eventually. It rained the night before, which made some road sections after the Argentina border very muddy and slippery. We managed though with our 2wd. But one stretch just before the end near Rio Grande was so bad that two large trucks and some pickups got stuck badly. Quite sketchy and the fact we made it through was more luck than skill.
Report Check-InChile to Argentina
Border is open. Very fast and easy. We didn’t have the paper from the notary stating we would bring the car back to Chile. They let us exit anyway and told us upon return in Chile we have to get the right papers. Very friendly. On Argentinian side very fast and easy as well. They didn’t check our van and we didn’t need to fill any kind of declaration form. Road on the Argentinian side was very muddy though after some rainfall. Two trucks got stuck and nearly did we but we managed with our 2wd.
we heard from locals (on 12-1-2024) that the boarder is still closed and they are working on the bridge.
Report Check-InStill closed.
Policeman at the last crossing told us that it probably will open in February as the bridge collapsed and is now under construction.
Still closed, as confirmed by locals. Estimated opening no earlier than December 2023.
Report Check-InThe Chilean Embassy in Ushuaia today confirmed that the border crossing is closed since the covid pandemic. No news of it opening again. So disappointing as I will now have to cycle up the dusty main highway to San Sebastián rather than explore the roads over the border toward Yendegaia and the Kurukinka national park 😢
Report Check-InPolice in Rio Grande: "Paso Bella Vista" is closed at all. No crossing.
Report Check-InChile to Argentina: Exit Chile 5 min, entry Argentina 16 min. Fast and easy, nice officers. Nobody looked in our camper.
No problem to cross with our big rig.
Easy border crossing (Chile --> Argentina): no checks at all. Bridge is finished (so no rivers to cross), so this border might be open all year round...
Report Check-InAvoid this border if you only have a Colombian passport! at least going into Argentina. They didn't have electricity in the afternoon and would not let me through without checking something in the computer, so they wanted me to wait for 4 hours until they got power back and could do the check. First time this happened, and I have crossed borders to Argentina that didn't even have a computer, so this can't be a standard procedure.
Luckily, I could show my European passport and he let me through without any delay, but it would have been a bit of a nightmare if I didn't have this.
Apart from that super straightforward and quick border crossing.
Happy travels!
Report Check-InVery quiet border! We were the only ones there (Arg to Chile). They checked our vehicle but people were very friendly. Highly recommend taking this border crossing instead of the over crowded one at San Sebastian. On top of that, the route is way more beautiful than the ruta 3. As they have built a new bridge, it is accessible for bigger rigs as well. Be smart and save time, take this border crossing!
Report Check-InEasy Border process. They search very precise for food, beans, meat, honey and veggies when we crossed from Argentina into Chile. They took our Popcorn, Chickpeas and Lentils and some dried fruits.
Nice Panoramic road. Gravel road in good condition.
Report Check-InPerfect option if you dont want to drive to the border san sebastian again. Its a beautiful road (gravelroad but totally fine) with trees and a stunning view. On the road you will find some spots to sleep.
Boardercrossing was very easy and the staff was friendly.
We passed from the Chile side with bicycles. Friendly guys. The Chile post was fast. At the Argentina side they didn't check for fruits, meat or so ever. They even asked us if we wanted extra fresh meat and bread they just prepared themselves "Welcome in Argentina" they said :-)
They are working on the bridge, now there is a by pass, big rigs is no longer a problem!
Report Check-InWe passed from the Chile side with bicycles. Friendly guys. The Chile post was fast. At the Argentina side they didn't check for fruits, meat or so ever. They even asked us if we wanted extra fresh meat and bread they just prepared themselves "Welcome in Argentina" they said :-)
Report Check-InCouldn’t cross on an April the 13th, river seemed doable for us but customs said they were close due to a washout on the bridge, and will not stamp our passports.
Report Check-InWe had some trouble here crossing as foreigners with a Chilean car. The officers said we needed to have a Chilean identity card (RUT was not enough). Luckily we had printed out a copy of the law and the declaración jurada, after calling their superiors that was enough. Normally we would require an authorization from the PDI (according to these guys), but for now it was fine. Our car was searched on the Argentinian side.
Report Check-Ineasy crossing, very fast and friendly. in a Chilean car, we are not Chilean but no worries.
Report Check-InCrossed from Chile to Argentina by bike and both sides were very friendly and helpful. Argentine guys filled up my water bottles and gave me 2 huge salami, cheese and tomatoes plus some fruit!
Cyclists be warned that I haven’t found any food for sale since porvenir (shop in Cameron appears to be permanently closed).
Gravel roads in Chile almost as smooth as tarmac, Arg not so good but still not terrible.
Report Check-InSmall and friendly border crossing. Going into Chile they went through the vehicle and mainly my fridge a food boxes. I crossed on yes on fruit/veggie as it was recommended to me before even though I thought I had nothing, because otherwise the fine can be hefty if they did find something. indeed found and took some dries peas and beans, as they could sprout and grow in Chile. Left another bag of split peas as they couldn't grow anymore, said cooked are ok too. Milk and cheese were ok too as they were pasteurized.
Report Check-InWe have some trouble to pass the border as foreigners without residence but with chilean car, we had the famous resolution with us and speak nicely with the guy who change his mind in two minutes and let us enter because he saw that we already crossed the border in the north of Chili. Strange but possible.
Report Check-InCrossed border with our big rig. Friendly people, no problems. Fruit And veg control as usual.
Report Check-InThey refused to let us go to Argentine as foreigners with chilean car at Paso international san Sebastian (more at the north) !!! whereas we already crossed a lot of borders without any problem. Grrr...
Report Check-InWe crossed from Argentina to Chile. We were the only people at both crossings about 2km apart. Bio security was the most thorough so far. Friendly and easy crossing. Bridge/Drain just after the Argentine gate is large enough for all vehicles. Road to the border is in good condition with some minor corrugation, on the Chilean side the road is excellent.
Report Check-InNo problem crossing the border to Argentina with our campervan.
Didn't ask for argentinian insurance, didn't ask for fresh food, didn't check the car. Very easy and fast !
Maybe we were lucky :)
Border open, no problems crossing to Argentina by bike. There is now a real bridge big enough for everyone. The old "bridge" was still lying by the side of the road.
Report Check-Inbridge fixed now, no problem for crossing the river even with big rigs.
friendly people, they briefly checked the fridge but didn't take anything
Open from november to april according to the latest info. Very friendly and fast on both sides. Didn't see anything that resembled a narrow or weak bridge nor a river crossing so crossed into Argentina without any problems with our 5.5 ton vehicle
Report Check-InChileans say April 29th is the last day go cross
Argentinians say the 30th... They open again in November.
A stony sandy part of the riverbank slided, so bigger RVs would definitely have a hard time to cross right now. Some Chileans said the bridge broke. It definitely has seen better times.
I camped (tent) on the football field at the Argentinian station. Bathrooms with showers(cold) and one electrical plug. Generator noise and lights on all night.
Report Check-InFrom Arg to Chi, the Chilis earch vehicle, found bacon eggs bell peper and tomatoes. Instead of confiscating they allowed us to import it as an omelette. So we did. Easy on the paper work.
Be aware that the small bridge over the border creek might be a challenge for MAN size camper trucks.
BE CAREFUL ! The bridge is very narrow, too narrow for our motorhome... We scraped the bottom of the door with the barrier on each side of the bridge.
Report Check-InVery easy and quick border crossing into Argentina. Argentinian side didn't even look into our camper.
Report Check-InThis border crossing was open as of January 6, 2017 at 10:30am. By far the quickest we have made it crossing the border yet. People were very friendly. We were the only ones there.
Report Check-Inwe crossed the border but we are to wide und havy for the litte thing they call it bridge. so only small motorhomes around 3,5 t
can make it. heavier truck motorhomes can drive only trough the river (approx. 40 cm deeph) to the check point. 4x4 is recommended. nice and friendly customs peoples on both sides.
Bridge is more like two huge pieces of steel across a gravel bed river. The wheel base with is pretty narrow, but I crossed with a Ford F250 with pop up. Easy crossing, inspector only poked his head in camper and we were in and out in less than 15 min.
Report Check-InIn 2016 border was open from January 25th and should stay open ( depending on water level of river) until about April 30th. River can be crossed by vehicles up to about 3,5t on a bridge, heavier vehicles have to cross river (about 40cm deep). River has gravel and stones, but is not muddy.
Report Check-InOpen now. River has a small bridge (that would be under water when the border is closed) . Road is hard packed. We were told that heavy vehicles were not allowed to use the bridge, but we saw a Motorhome go over no problem (guessing it was about 4 tonnes).
Report Check-InJanuary 18th 2016 it was still closed. Rumors said it would open on the 20th. Rivers were too high.
Report Check-InBorder also still closed till approx. 20 January. We recommend to ask at a police office e.g. Porvenir or Cerro sombrero, they could call their colleagues in Pampa guanaco and ask wether border is open.
Report Check-InThis information is courtesy of Motojeros http://motojeros.blogspot.com.ar/2013/02/sonow-what.html
Border: Paso Bella Vista
We crossed 30 January 2013. Only open during the summer months and when the river crossing is low enough to cross. See our story and photos here: http://motojeros.blogspot.com.ar/2013/02/sonow-what.html
Argentine side is a small outpost right at the river (54° 09´ 17" S // 68° 38´ 22" W). http://www.gendarmeria.gov.ar/pasos/chile/fichbellvist.html .
Chilean side is a few km away from the river (no specific GPS data, but you won't miss it).