Chile Forum

Our first 90 days is almost up, so we're planning to make the famed Mendoza run to renew our Tourist Visas. I was just wondering if anyone had interesting stories or advice to share?

Shopping, food, crossing the border-anything would be interesting.

The bus trip is great! I enjoyed it so much. It was seven hours from Vina. For me that's just right, not to long not too short.

(I've done the Vina to Arica 30 hour bus ride a few times, now that is torture:-)

The mountains are amazing. Get a window seat and you get a great view going up to the pass, it's about 12,500 feet at the top. Then again, if you're scared of heights maybe sit in an aisle seat it can be a white knuckle experience. The road is a long series of switchbacks and there are no guardrails

It was about 30% cheaper for me to go to Mendoza stay in a hotel over night and come back than to renew my visa in Stgo. I've done both.

I don't know what you require hotel-wise but there was a hotel on a corner across the street and to the right from the front of the bus station that was OK. 9k peso's overnight. It was OK for me for one night, it was nothing special, cheap, clean.

Enjoy the trip, take plenty of pics!

I'll keep that in mind-thanks Chuck, We hadn't decided whether to drive or take the bus. If it's the bus, I'll be on the aisle! My friends in family in the states will appreciate some photos that aren't of construction, I think.

I have driven this route twice and would reccomend choosing favourable days weather wise as the pass would be dangerous with snow. It is indeed a sight, a lovely journey and Mendoza a truly worthwhile trip.(imo the best town in S.A )
The hotels however I found a little more than 9 k peso's more like 25 k paso's and up.

i dont know if this is any help.. but u can extend your visa another 90days without leaving th country.. all u gotta do is go government office that deals with foreiners and pay 55mil pesos and u get 90days.. i'd say its cheaper than traveling and paying again.. . I went to one in Lebu at the time.. fast and easy.. unless u really want to go to mendoza.. but i'd say its better in summer...

Another good suggestion, thanks. The weather looks pretty good this weekend. What was your favorite part of mendoza?

I've heard that membership in Mercosur (only associate status for Chile) entails free passage of citizens between member states: no need to renew visas, etc. I'd guess that either the Argentine embassy in Santiago or, better, the Chilean government itself could tell you definitely, though.

Hey I'm planning on doing my first visa run this weekend. I just wanted to get confirmation that the only document I require to leave the country is my "Derechos Tarjeta de Tourismo" stapled in my passport. Thanks for your help.

P.S. Any recommendations on stuff to do in Cordoba or Montevideo?

So I guess your Chilean citizenship dd not come through?

If not, and you are existing in Chile on your USA passport:

(1) I would spit into the coffee of the idiot PDI dude who STAPLED your Tourist Card into your passport.
(2) You will need both passport and Tourist Card to exit and reenter.

I believe in 1, if you are talking about the reciprocity fee receipt, THAT is indeed stapled to the last page. The Tourist Card is the loose yellow piece of paper that you will go to jail over if you lost it But seriously, you will be turned back at a land crossing without that piece of paper and will have to fix the problem at your local PDI office before being able to leave.

Still hoping on getting my citizenship, but there has been a bit a snafu with the paperwork. So for the time being I am fleeing the country every 90 days like everyone else.

Yes it seems I lost my yellow tourist card. I distinctly remember giving it to the aduana and not getting it back- but that doesn't make a difference. I'm going to visit the PDI tomorrow. Any idea on how big a deal this is? Thanks again for the help.

Seriously, you gave it to the Aduanas guy who did not give it back??

Just a formality at the Interpol office, nothing more nothing less.

Trslvn wrote:Still hoping on getting my citizenship, but there has been a bit a snafu with the paperwork. So for the time being I am fleeing the country every 90 days like everyone else.

Yes it seems I lost my yellow tourist card. I distinctly remember giving it to the aduana and not getting it back- but that doesn't make a difference. I'm going to visit the PDI tomorrow. Any idea on how big a deal this is? Thanks again for the help.

i dont understand, if your "en tramite" for your citzenship.... why do you need to make border runs? you should be able to go down to imigration and get extension on your "en tramite"....... (im presuming its the same as any other type of visa?????)

Unless you havent filed your paperwork yet? or did you do it outside of chile?