20/11/2019

Rent a car in South America

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Getting around South America

If car rentals are not recommended in Peru and Bolivia (see our first article on Peru), the car remains for us an ideal way to visit Argentina and Chile...

The most

The distances are great in both countries... but the landscapes are magnificent! Every road trip is an ideal way to enjoy them to the full, and even full days of travel are a discovery in themselves. Stopping on the road, enjoying the wildlife and the wide open spaces, being alone in the middle of nowhere... It adds a lot to the charm of the trip! Compared to the bus, you have a great deal of freedom at the wheel of your car: pace of travel, timetables, stops on the road... For us, this is priceless! Not to mention that in our case, not having to get on/off buses that are not accessible has its advantages... 

Here, driving is also an opportunity to meet nice people: many travellers hitchhike and it is not uncommon to meet people who will share a piece of the road with you... We loved it!

Minus

There are so many things to see... In so many different places! From North to South, Chile and Argentina are not lacking in attractions and if you are short of time the distances can quickly become dizzying! Generally in good condition, some roads (especially in Patagonia) are poorly maintained, or not yet built... You will then have to use tracks of more or less good quality... We recommend you to choose a 4×4!

Finally, because of the above (distance, travel time and quality of the road which means long rental times, good insurance - we had two punctures in Argentina - and a higher category vehicle), prices are relatively high... Here is a summary of what we paid for rental!

Border crossings: how does it work?

Many travellers choose to rent a car to visit both countries... From San Pedro de Atacama to the Salta region, or further south, from Chilean Patagonia to Argentine Patagonia. The rental agencies are therefore quite used to it!

Getting papers to cross the border is therefore feasible, but to be anticipated... Here is some useful information if you want to do the same:

  • Vehicles hired in one country must be returned in the same country, so plan your route accordingly!
  • Returning your car to a different city from the one from which it was picked up will incur additional charges (especially in Patagonia where your car is returned to its originating agency),
  • In both Chile and Argentina, you will need to allow 3 to 4 working days to obtain the papers that allow you to cross the border; in Chile, this specific authorisation costs 100,000 CLP for 15 days and 130,000 for 30 days. Without these papers, do not even try to go to the border post: they will not let you through!
  • When you apply, the rental agency will make sure you get their car with the most recent service date to avoid problems abroad (they are not covered for accidents in the neighbouring country, but you are if you take the best cover)

In summary: don't hesitate to make arrangements in advance if you plan to travel between the two countries. Agencies can often be contacted by email and/or Whatsapp, informing them before you arrive will save you a few days of travel...

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