Car Rental in South America

Car Rental in South America: Compare and Book in One Place

With RentingCarz you can compare car rental in South America across leading rental companies such as Localiza, Movida, Unidas, Hertz, Avis, Budget and Alamo, plus local rental agencies, all in a single search. Find your car in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru, with pickup at airports and offices in their main cities. You see the final price upfront and choose the vehicle that best fits your trip. South America is a continent of vast distances and extreme landscapes, from Patagonia to the rainforest and from the Andes to Caribbean and Atlantic beaches: with your own car you reach glaciers, deserts, vineyards and villages that tours never get to, at your own pace.

Is It Worth Renting a Car to Travel Around South America?

Yes, especially to explore specific regions. Distances between countries and major cities are very long, so the most common strategy is to fly between regions and rent a car at each destination: Patagonia from El Calafate or Bariloche, the Mendoza wine region, the Atacama Desert from Calama, the Sacred Valley from Cusco or Brazil's coast from Rio de Janeiro. In big cities like Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Bogotá or Lima, traffic is heavy, so a car is most useful for getting out of town. Some destinations, like Machu Picchu or the Galápagos Islands, can't be visited by car: you get there by train or plane.

Which Countries Make Up South America?

South America is made up of twelve independent countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela, plus French Guiana, a territory of France. It borders the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the north. The Andes run from north to south, and its interior is home to the Amazon, the largest rainforest on the planet. The main languages are Spanish and Portuguese. Central America destinations have their own section on RentingCarz.

Most Popular Destinations to Rent a Car in South America

Argentina

Buenos Aires is the most common gateway, with pickup at Ezeiza Airport. In the south, Patagonia offers the Perito Moreno Glacier, where in summer you can watch huge blocks of ice break off and even walk on the glacier, and Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, with the Lighthouse at the End of the World that inspired Jules Verne. Argentina is also perfect by car for the vineyards of Mendoza, the lakes of Bariloche, the colorful hills of Salta and Jujuy, and Iguazú Falls.

Brazil

Beyond São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with pickup at Guarulhos and Galeão airports, Brazil is best enjoyed by car along the Costa Verde between Rio and Paraty, the beaches of Florianópolis or Jericoacoara, famous for its giant dunes. You can also reach the Brazilian side of Iguazú Falls. The Fernando de Noronha archipelago, one of the country's natural paradises, is reached by plane from the mainland.

Chile

Chile is a long, narrow country of extreme landscapes: the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth with terrain often compared to Mars, the wine valleys near Santiago, the Lake District and Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Mysterious Easter Island, with its nearly 900 moai statues, is reached by plane from Santiago.

Colombia

Cartagena de Indias, a walled city tied to tales of Caribbean pirates, is one of the most visited destinations in Colombia. By car you can explore the Coffee Region and the Cocora Valley, with its giant wax palms, as well as the colonial towns near Medellín and Bogotá.

Peru

From Cusco, a car is handy for exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas; Machu Picchu, the citadel that symbolizes the Inca Empire, is reached by train. Along the coast of Peru, the Pan-American Highway links Lima with Paracas, the Huacachina oasis, Ica (the home of pisco) and the Nazca Lines.

Other Destinations

In Ecuador, the Avenue of the Volcanoes connects Quito with the central Andes; the Galápagos Islands, with their giant tortoises and vast marine reserve, are reached by plane. Bolivia is home to the Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest salt flat in the world, and Uruguay is perfect for a short road trip between Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento and Punta del Este.

Recommended Road Trips in South America

• Route 40 (Argentina): the country's longest highway, running along the Andes from Patagonia to the Andean north.
• Seven Lakes Route (Argentina): between San Carlos de Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes, through Patagonian lakes and forests.
• Carretera Austral (Chile): a journey through Chilean Patagonia among fjords, glaciers and forests.
• Costa Verde (Brazil): from Rio de Janeiro to Paraty, with beaches, islands and Atlantic rainforest.
• Pan-American Highway South (Peru): from Lima to Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca along the desert coast.
• Uruguayan coast (Uruguay): from Montevideo to Punta del Este and José Ignacio.

Tips for Driving in South America

• Side of the road: almost all of South America drives on the right. Guyana and Suriname drive on the left.
• Distances and fuel: in Patagonia, the Atacama or the Andean north there are long stretches without gas stations. Fill up whenever you can and plan your stops.
• Gravel roads: many Patagonian and rural routes are gravel ("ripio"). Check whether your coverage includes glass and tire damage.
• License plate restrictions: cities like Bogotá ("pico y placa") and São Paulo ("rodízio") restrict driving on certain days and times based on the plate number, rental cars included.
• Tolls: common on highways in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru. In Santiago de Chile, urban highways are paid electronically; ask how tolls are handled when you pick up the car.
• Altitude and night driving: the Andes have high-altitude passes, and in rural areas it's best to avoid driving at night due to signage and the condition of some roads.

Can You Drive a Rental Car Across Borders in South America?

It's possible in some cases, but it's more restrictive than in Europe. To cross, for example, from Argentina into Chile, you usually need authorization from the rental company requested in advance, the vehicle's documents and insurance valid in the other country, for an extra fee. Returning the car in a different country from where you picked it up is generally not allowed. If your trip covers several countries, check the offer's terms before booking or rent a separate car in each country.

Which Type of Car Should You Choose for South America?

• Economy and Compact: practical for cities and short trips on paved roads.
• Intermediate and Full Size: more space and comfort for the continent's long distances.
• SUV (Small, Standard or Large): the best choice for Patagonia, gravel roads and mountain routes.
• Pick Up: ideal for rural routes, remote areas and trips with lots of luggage or adventure gear.
• Minivan and Maxivan: designed for families and groups.
• Convertible: perfect for the coasts of Brazil or Uruguay.
• Premium and Luxury: for business trips or a more exclusive experience.

Which Car Rental Companies Operate in South America?

With RentingCarz you compare, in a single search, the rates of the companies operating across the continent:

• Localiza, Movida and Unidas: three of Brazil's largest rental companies, with a wide network of airport and city locations.
• Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty and Firefly: brands from the same group, from standard rates to budget options.
• Avis, Budget and Payless: brands from the same group, at major airports and cities.
• Alamo and National: two brands from the same group, with offices at the main destinations.
• Sixt and Europcar: European-born companies with a presence in several countries in the region.
• Other companies: Economy, NU Car, U-Save, Infinity and local rental agencies at each destination, often with very competitive rates.

Availability for each company varies by country and pickup location. The search engine shows only the options available for your dates and destination.

Why Book Your Car in South America with RentingCarz?

• Easily compare prices across the leading rental companies.
• No surprises: 100% price transparency.
• Big discounts from top brands with our PROMO Rate.
• If you find a better price elsewhere, we'll match it.
• Pay with major credit cards or at your destination.

Check out our rent a car deals in North America, Central America and Europe as well.