Despite the high value of dollarmany Argentines give in to the temptation of crossing the border towards Chile either for a trip lightning that allows to come and go in the day or to spend a few days on vacation and take advantage of the best deals.
According to testimonies collected by the VOYa first glance yields these conclusions: fuel is three times more expensive, hotels have similar prices and to eat out you have to calculate double. The most searched data: se get good prices compared to our country especially in clothes, shoes and tires and there is a greater variety of offer in each item.
Those who go for the first time are amazed that the outlets and sales are exactly that and there is the greatest opportunity to saver, but you have to walk and compare. Instead, it is no longer so profitable to buy technological products, with the exception of the iPhone that so seduces Argentines.
In the first case, to return in the day, many cross the Cardenal Samoré International Passmostly from Villa La Angostura (42 km) and Bariloche (124 km). Almost everyone fills up the gas tank in Argentina (on the other side of the mountain range it is approximately three times more expensive) and face towards Osorno as a final destination, due to a matter of proximity. It allows you to arrive early, visit the malls and supermarkets and return to the country.
In the second case, the number of Argentine tourists who cross the border is also high. For example, according to data from the Border Coordination in the Mendoza mountain range, between December 23 and January 18 121,612 people crossed into Chile. It is an average of 4,700 travelers per day, a figure much higher than the average of 500 daily in 2022.
A T-shirt with three stars or a calculator in hand
These days the image of the Argentines in Chile is unmistakable. They can be seen withThe new shirt of the Argentine national team with the three stars and a calculator (usually cell phone) in hand. This is how they go through each shopping center and each mall (shopping center) looking for prices and quality and above all comparing with Argentine products via Internet.
«There are brands that we do not know and that are very good in Chiland. First you have to make the change, then compare it with what we have in Argentina and when you decide you have to make the money change to find out if it suits you,” said an Argentine tourist while walking through one of the shopping centers in Montt port.
In general, brand name clothing and products are sought, since very good prices can be obtained. For example, trekking shoes from a very good brand can be around 25,000 or 30,000 Argentine pesoss.
«Obviously you can get differentiated prices and find international brands that have the same values as in any other country in the world”said one of the employees of the spectacular shopping center located meters from the Pacific Ocean.
Still shocked, an Argentine tourist was surprised by the value of a sports cap of an important brand that, when changing money, ended up paying a figure close to 30.000 pesos. “Crazy,” she sentenced.
In addition to fuel, food It is also another point to take into account when planning vacations to the neighboring country.
“It can eat cheap in a port stall, maybe a fast food. But if you are looking for a more elaborate dish, you can find it in a restaurant not only in Puerto Montt but also in Puerto Varas one of the tourist cities par excellence in southern Chile.
In one located a few meters from Lake Llanquihue you can find a dish Ceviche Daruma (Peruvian-style salmon and shrimp ceviche served with red peppers, purple onion and fried corn in leche de tigre) for a value of 6,000 or 6,500 pesos. To this we must add the drink that can be around among the 800 and 1000 pesos a glass of beerDepending on the brand chosen and if it is regional, the value increases considerably. A classic drink (Aperol) can be worth a few 2300 Argentine pesos.
tire change
The AFIP employees of the Argentine Customs already have a keen eye at the time of the passage of vehicles. And in addition to requisitioning the vehicle and especially the contents of the suitcases and transport of food substances, they carefully observe the tires of the vehicles.
«Today you can change the four covers of a car for 80,000 pesos and in Argentina you have to multiply that by three or even four times.“, commented a resident of Roca who crossed the mountain range to make the investment.
However, it must be made clear that several signs in Customs inform that the purchase of tires and auto parts is prohibited.
Among the maneuvers detected to circumvent the ban and camouflage the state of new tires is putting some kind of soda a kilometer before and then pass them on a dirt and gravel road to give the impression that they are worn. Some are more naive, like the case of the driver who brought the brand new and used ones in the truck bed.
The dashboard of the car, an ally
When it comes to refueling, the car’s dashboard with indications on consumption (autonomy) can be a true ally. Thus, many residents of Bariloche who regularly travel to Osorno refueling in Villa La Angostura to avoid the impact that value generates in the trans-Andean country.
Thus, a tank to transit that stretch of 161 kilometers enough and plenty to go and come back. maybe to go from Temuco to Zapala, the consumption to travel the more than 300 kilometers is greater but the section of that wonderful pass located 480 kilometers from the Samoré pass (42 km from Villa La Angostura) is also completed.
The panorama in Temuco
Those who traveled in December took advantage of the Christmas offers, a good fact if you want to plan for the next one, because they are considerable. For example, a family that crossed into Chile through Samoré found Adidas shoes at half the price compared to Argentina and 40% cheaper brand sportswear.
As for food, except for hamburger chains, he found that it cost twice as much. «In the restaurants or bars where we passed the calculation was approximately between 4500 and 6500 per dish»they exemplified.
Let’s look at the case of a Neuquén couple with three children who was last week in a city that doesn’t shine for its tourist attractions but has enough shopping malls and outlets: Temuco. This family group used to travel frequently with another exchange situation, especially during the Macri government, but even so, with a stratospheric dollar they now found good opportunities.
PFor example, 2×1 in sheets, towels and pillows, down jackets for 9,000 pesos, two quilted ones for 4,500 pesos each, a Levis jean for 14,000 pesos and a Tommy shirt on sale for 15,000 pesos. Shoes? They saw unique pairs of Adidas and Nike in outlets from 25.000 pesos.
At lunchtimethey spent 11,000 Argentine pesos (the currency in which all the prices referred to in this note are expressed) by two pizzas of mozzarella and a large soda and mineral water. “Before we went more often, now it is not so convenient,” they explained.
According to a report from the Infobae portal, tires (185/60 R15) are available in Chile from 29,300 Argentine pesos to $42,000, while in Argentina these covers cost between $57,000 and $59,000, according to Mercado Libre rates.
According to the same report, in Santiago de Chile and Viña del It is possible to buy basic t-shirts for 7,000 Chileans, that is, for 3,150 Argentine pesos. A jean at H&M can be obtained from $5,500) pesos. .
As for iPhone cell phones, for example the 128-gigabyte model 13 with a 6.1-inch screen, they can be found for about 360 thousand Argentine pesoswhile in our country it is valid from 570.000 pesos.
To do the numbers, at today’s exchange rate, a dollar is worth 805 Chilean pesos. One hundred Argentine pesos are worth 180 Chilean pesos
This is the crossing through the Cardenal Samoré International Pass
Today the Cardenal Samoré complex It is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The two countries currently have the same time.
As a report from BLACK RIVER on January 10 of this year, it must be taken into account that the state of the route on the Argentine side is in good conditionhowever once the border milestone is exceeded, the asphalt in Chilean jurisdiction has a severe deteriorationwith holes, cracks and unevenness, so you must travel with caution.
To enter Chile, any person, whether foreign or Chilean, must previously complete an online sworn statement of the Agricultural and Livestock Service to report the entry of plant or animal products in luggage.
The form is simple, with few questions and once completed, a PDF copy must be downloaded. It can be accessed at www.ingresoachile.cl
The trans-Andean country does not request any other documentationbeyond the DNI of the people who travel and the Single Identification Card of the Vehicle (green card).
Of return to Argentina, there is no specific documentation that is requested. In the Argentine Customs it is remembered, with a lot of posters in the building of the border complex, that It is forbidden to enter tires or car parts.
In the Argentine control, tickets are requested for eventual purchases in Chile since there is a quota of 300 dollars per adult person.
Entry requirements to Chile
Currently, the only thing that is needed to enter Chile is to have the complete vaccination card against covid-19.
Those of legal age must have both doses, or a negative result test must be carried out within 48 hours prior to the trip. Minors can enter the country without the need for vaccinations.
Added to that, Argentines can enter Chile only with the identity document, without the need to present the passport.
The expenses with Argentinian credit and debit cardhas the value of the “card dollar” that today is quoted in 335 pesos.
The value of the “card dollar” takes into account the official dollar, added 30% of the PAIS Tax and the withholding of 45% on account of income and personal property tax payment.
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