South America Travel – Tips for Car Rental

How to Find the Best Car Rental Agencies and the Most Suitable Car

May 12, 2009
Karin-Marijke Vis

Rent a Car, Hertz, South America - Coen Wubbels

Explore South America by road; having your own vehicle provides comfort and independence, and car rental companies are plentiful on this continent.

In South America distances can be enormous and local transport conspicuously absent or infrequent, and car rental may be the answer to organise your holiday. There are car rental agencies at large airports and in all major cities. However, there are some specific aspects to consider when hiring a car in South America.

Tips on Policies of Car Rental Agencies in South America

The continent is vast, the distances long and many roads are unpaved. An option is to fly the long hauls and hire a car for regional exploration.
Compare car rental companies as to their support service in case of a breakdown or an accident; a workshop may be hundreds of miles away.
Check the minimum age for car rental; in South America age requirements vary per country and lie between 18 and 25.
Compare agencies as to their policy on permitting to cross the border with a rental car, and if yes, how much is charged extra.

Tips on a Check List Before Driving Off

Is there a spare wheel and is it in good condition? When driving over many unpaved roads is expected, ask the car rental agency for a second.
Ask for the local word for "petrol station" and for the fuel you need. Even if in two countries Spanish is spoken, these words may differ. For example, gasoline is called bencina in Chile, but nafta in Argentina.
Is there a reserve canister? When driving long distances is expected, a second or third may be required.
Is the motor adjusted to driving at high altitudes [in case of driving in the mountains].
Ask the car hire agency about special requirements. For example, Argentina demands a car to carry two warning triangles.
Is a proper road map available? Here is more on road maps of Argentina and road maps of Brazil.

On-the-Road Tips When Travelling in South America With a Rental Car

In South America, always fill up on gas wherever possible, especially in remote areas like Patagonia in Argentina.
In major cities, pay the man [or kid] in the street that promises to keep an eye on the car – it may well save a burglary.
When driving on unpaved roads [called ripio], reduce the tyre pressure.
When driving across Patagonia [Argentina] and the Carretera Austral [Chile], remember the gentlemen's agreement to slow down on gravel roads in case of oncoming traffic or when somebody wants to overtake. Slow down and drive as far on the edge as possible to avoid flying pebbles [or big stones] shattering a windshield.
South America drives on the right, with the exception of Guyana and Suriname.

Tips on What Types of Car to Rent, and What Car Rental Company to Choose

For city touring or mainly tarmac roads outside the city, any compact "city" vehicle will do.
For national parks and unpaved, laterite-type roads, a pick-up truck [camioneta] with two-wheel or four-wheel drive is recommended. Pick-up trucks are more robust than jeeps, and have more ground clearance.
When expecting to drive at high altitudes or very remote tracks, choose a four-wheel drive vehicle.
If camping in the wilderness is a wish, but with some comfort, a camper or a four-wheel drive camper is an option.
For short, regional trips it is often cheaper to hire a car at a local car rental agency, while for longer and remoter trips it may be wise to pick one of the international car rental agencies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget or Hertz. The latter are often better equipped in case of a breakdown or accident.