Paso de los Libres is the truck crossing and, in summer, the holiday crossing too. The town in Argentina’s Corrientes province is joined to Uruguaiana, in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, by the Agustín P. Justo – Getúlio Vargas international bridge over the Uruguay river. A large share of overland trade between Argentina and Brazil passes here. Operating hours, queues and entry rules change, so confirm them before you set off.
Two kinds of traffic on one bridge
Freight. Truck traffic is constant all year. It has its own circuit of controls but shares the bridge and the approach roads with cars.
Holidaymakers. From late December to February, Argentine families driving to the beaches of southern Brazil join in. The peaks come at the start of January, at the mid-month changeovers and on the return in February.
From Buenos Aires the crossing is reached along Ruta Nacional 14. Further north on the same river is the Santo Tomé – São Borja crossing, which many drivers consider as an alternative.
The steps
- Exit control from Argentina.
- The bridge.
- Entry control to Brazil: immigration and customs.
- Coming back, the same in reverse.
Each passenger shows their own valid travel document. The driver answers for the vehicle papers and for whatever insurance the destination country requires. If children are travelling, look into the authorisations for minors well ahead; in high season it is a common source of problems.
What lengthens the wait
No crossing time is guaranteed. The date, the hour, the direction of travel and the volume of trucks all play a part. At the height of the season the queue can be long at any hour, and it is wise to carry water, some food and a full tank. Outside summer the crossing is usually calmer for cars.
Where to check
Operating hours, the state of the crossing and the requirements for your nationality are confirmed by the national migration authority of Argentina and of Brazil, or by a Brazilian consulate. Our guide to documents to enter Brazil gives the general picture.
If you would rather not drive
- Long-distance bus. Some services between Argentina and southern Brazil use this crossing.
- Private transfer. A vehicle with a driver for your group, with stops on request. On a journey this long, think carefully about luggage when choosing between a sedan, a minivan and a van. Whether the route is available, and on what conditions, is confirmed at booking. We do not promise a crossing time. See transfers to Brazil.