Cardenal Samoré Pass

The Samoré Pass is one of the most important mountain passages. It communicates national route 231 on the Argentine side with route 215 of the Los Lagos region in Chile, whose capital is Puerto Montt . On the Argentine side, the adjacent city is Villa La Angostura , on the northern part of Nahuel Huapi National Park. At the border control, Gendarmerie, Customs and Migrations concur. It was known as the Puyehue Pass, until it was renamed Cardinal Antonio Samoré at Christmas 1978, in tribute to the mediator in the Beagle conflict, whose proposal was accepted by both nations. Starting from Argentina, the pass is located at 1305 meters above sea level. Puyehue is the first commune in sight when crossing the Samoré pass and takes its name from the lake, the volcano and the thermal complex. The route covers part of the Puyehue National Park, surrounded by an exuberant nature, a prelude to the Chilean virgin forests. The abundance of rainfall makes an evergreen emerald landscape flourish. In these latitudes on the Chilean side, two types of forests prevail that respond to the abundance of humidity, that of araucarias and the Valdivian jungle. The former prefers soils of volcanic origin, on the slopes of the mountain range. The second is associated with higher rainfall and oceanic climates.

Route 215 links the border with Osorno , one of the most important cities in the neighboring country, mostly dedicated to agriculture and livestock. Its location on the Pan-American route is quite strategic, which often makes it a city of passage. On the other hand, it is the most visited by Argentines residing in Bariloche or Villa La Angostura . Tourists also take advantage of the proximity of the border to cross and travel the vertiginous Carretera Austral, which glides beyond Puerto Montt , among landscapes brimming with life, the best show of the Chilean Patagonia. The road is the main driver of development in southern Chile, built between recesses and turns of fjords, volcanoes and glaciers. The passage is enabled for all types of vehicles. To take into account: Personal documentation to present in Migrations: ID (updated card) Valid passport Income of minors: With your parents present: you must prove the link with the Family Civil Book, Birth Certificate or DNI with filiation data. With one of your absent parents: in addition to the cited documents, you must accompany authorization from the absent parent. When leaving the country: If you cross by car, complete and submit the form OM-2261 (exit and temporary admission of vehicles - Chilean Argentine agreement) in Argentine Customs. Upon entering the country: When you enter, complete the Customs declaration OM-2087 / G4 to inform about food, animals and goods that you acquired abroad.