The Bus from Mendoza, Argentina to Vina del Mar, Chile

Total Miles Traveled: 11,769

From Mendoza, rode a Cata Internacional bus over the Andes and down to Vina del Mar, Chile ($25 USD per person) which is on the coast.   Cata is to Chile as Andesmar is to Argentina in terms of quality, so if you’re going to do this ride (which we highly recommend), they’re a safe bet.

The 8-hour bus ride (including border crossing) showcases gorgeous valleys that cut through the beautiful Andes mountain range.  On the Argentine side, you start off passing by one of the reservoirs that supply water to Mendoza (pictured above) and wind your way along a river where there’s whitewater rafting.  Notice the change in landscape and vegetation as you go higher and higher in altitude:

Here’s the scene just before reaching Chilean customs.  Mount Aconcagua and the national park is nearby as is a ski area on the Argentine side named Portillo(?).  The multicolored strip you see in the photo below is a line of trucks waiting to go down to Mendoza because they’re doing construction on the highway, allowing only one-way passage at the moment.

And, on the Chilean side, after customs, you see the road snake down the mountain.  We’re extremely impressed with the truck drivers that have to navigate this in 18-wheelers – and in this photo it’s starting to snow!

As a logistical note on the border crossing, Chileans take their customs control very seriously.  No fresh animal/vegetable products or souvenirs made from animals/vegetables are allowed or they must be declared (in which case they are probably confiscated).  There is a random baggage check/search before the bus is cleared for entry in to Chile.

Next up, we visit Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, cities on the coast of Chile northwest of Santiago.  They’re supposed to be like Santa Monica and San Francisco respectively, so we’re excited!