Ride Day 73: El Calafate to Punta Arenas, Chile

After a few rain soaked days in El Calafate, Argentina I made my way to Punta Arenas, Chile, and yet another border crossing. I would start on Ruta 40 then onto Ruta 3, then cross over into Chile on Ruta 255 and finish on Ruta 9.

The border crossing was only a hundred miles away, so I was hoping there would be no lines and I could get on my way into Chile without too much fuss.

The closest town to the border on the Argentinian side is many miles from the border of the ADUANA – Paso de Integración Austral and on the Chilean side is Punta Delgada.

Although the trip total was 336 miles (541 kilometers), it is mostly paved. I started Ruta 40, and the whole trip took me just over 8 hours.

Everything is in the one building here. So you do both Argentina to Chile, Chile to Argentina in one building. If you look like a biker, they will direct you after each of the four steps.

Leaving Argentina

1. Drive to the border station and park just before border on the right out and walk into the building in the middle
2. When you walk in there is one long counter and immigration is on the left and Aduana on the right, it is all in one building
3. Get your stamp out of Argentina
4. Then go and get hand in your Aduana (Bike Import Permit)
5. Total Time was  20 minutes, and there was no cost involved

Entering Argentina

1. Same Building.
2. Go to immigration and get stamped in
3. Then take your papers and walk to the next counter, they will direct you.
4. Get your moto import papers sorted and you are on your way.
5. Total Time was 20 minutes 

Notes: You have to get insurance, which can be purchased online for Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. You just need to send her all your vehicle details and which countries you want. Here are her details below (send her an email ) she will require.

Insurance for Motorbike Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil

They can do an insurance of civil liability for the vehicle. It covers Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. To pass the insurance price, You need to send them a photo of the vehicle

To get insurance, they need the following information:

• First and Last Name
• Passport Number
• Date of Birth
• Period you need to be covered (days)
• Vehicle information: Brand, Model, Year, VIN Number, Registration number.

Gisela María Speiser
Av. Roque S. Peña 651 3*”56″
(1035) Capital Federal
Tel/Fax 0054 11 4326-3647/2611
Celular 11 15 4176-9382
gisela@speiserseguros.com.ar
www.speiserseguros.com.ar

Punta Arenas, Chile

Punta Arenas is a city near the tip of Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region. Located on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it’s often used as a base for excursions to the surrounding wilderness and Antarctica. The Plaza Muñoz Gamero has a memorial to explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the Museo Nao Victoria features a replica of one of his galleons.(from Wikipedia)

Shenu Patagonia, Chile

Shenu Patagonia Apartments are Modern and nicely appointed little apartments There was no one there when I arrived. But the little condos are well laid out and pretty.

They are serviced by the people across the road. I met a lovely couple who invited me in for a whiskey while I waited for owners to show me the room.

They are actually very comfortable but expensive $120 USD for one night. But I was wet and tired, so I obliged.

WiFi is pretty poor and needs upgrading.