Renting a car in a new country can be a complicated affair. You need to know all about their local traffic laws and regulations for renting the car. We love visiting Argentina so we are happy to share all the tips and tricks for renting a car in Argentina.
There are so many fun and wonderful things to do in Argentina from the capital of Buenos Aires to the snowy Patagonia. It is such a large country with so much to explore. Each season brings in different activities and different parts of the country that are primed for exploring. Since it is such a large country renting a car in Argentina can be very worthwhile.
When Should I Consider Renting a Car in Argentina?
Some of the things to consider when renting a car in Argentina is where you want to go. That is the most important. Since it is such a large country, different areas are more easily accessible by plane rather than by driving. There are also many long-distance buses that can take you to many different areas of Argentina.
I am not recommending that you go for a road trip through Argentina. It is a huge country. It is the second largest country in South America. To get an idea of how large it is keep in mind that from Mendoza to Buenos Aires is 15 hours of driving. You’ll end up spending most of your trip on the road given how large the country is, but having a rental can give you more freedom than the long-distance buses.
Larger cities like Buenos Aires do not require rental cars because there is very good public transportation. It is also a very walkable city. It is helpful to have a car if you’re looking to do some day trips from Buenos Aires to areas that are less accessible by public transportation. Some smaller cities, however, do not have good public transportation which makes having a rental car so useful!
There are so many smaller cities and towns outside of the better-known cities. Plus there is so much to experience and explore in Salta and Jujuy in northwest Argentina. A car rental gives you the freedom to explore without the constraints of long-distance bus schedules or tour guide paths.
How Much Does Renting A Car In Argentina Cost?
Renting a car in Argentina can be a little more expensive than in other cities. On average you can expect to pay $35-$45 USD per day for a sedan with manual transmission. It is important to note that most cars in Argentina are manual transmissions instead of automatic. (This was a challenge for us).
Some easy ways to save money on car rentals are to book online and ahead of time. This allows you to search for better prices. Keep away from larger, fancier cars as those are more expensive. Imported brands and automatic cars are more expensive as well. Rent a car to explore locally, it is astronomically expensive to rent cars for a one-way drop-off trip.
One of the ways that Argentina is different is that you can haggle for cheaper car rental rates. A couple of things to prepare for this haggling is to do some research on what other car rental companies are offering. If you know Spanish you’ll be highly successful. A good strategy for haggling is mentioning that a different company is offering a cheaper price and you don’t want to be forced to go elsewhere.
The cost of gasoline in Argentina
An important thing to remember about gasoline prices is that in Argentina they are sold by liter instead of gallons. The per-liter cost of gas is fairly inexpensive. Compared to where we live in North Carolina cost of gas in Argentina is more expensive. That is not the case everywhere in the US, on average Argentina has lower gas prices currently sitting around $3.40 USD/gallon.
How to Rent a Car in Argentina?
Here are all the steps and things to consider in order to rent a car successfully in Argentina.
Book ahead of time
This one is pretty common. Booking online ahead of time will give you both the best price and the knowledge that your car will be available. In a country with as much inflation as Argentina is currently facing, it might be in your favor to reserve a car, but wait to pay for it until you arrive.
Booking ahead of time allows you to reserve an automatic car instead of a manual car. Since there are significantly fewer automatic cars in Argentina they can be harder to get without specifying on your reservation. Finally, booking a car ahead of time makes the whole process of picking up a car much faster.
There are a number of local car rental places which include Sunnycars, Budget Cars, Europcar, Hertz, Avis Localiza, Alamo, and Winterfell Rent a Car. When selecting a rental company look at the customer reviews. Higher than an 8.0 is ideal. Be sure to check the deposit policy before booking, many rental companies require a credit card for the primary driver.
Pro Tip: Beware of the allowed mileage. Since Argentina is such a large country the distances are further than you might expect so watch out for any per-day mileage restrictions and what the cost is if you go over that restriction.
What documents do you need for renting a car in Argentina?
The number one document you need is a driver’s license. If your license is written in the Latin alphabet and is currently valid then you don’t need any other driver’s licenses. If it is not in the Latin alphabet then you are required to obtain an international driver’s license.
Additionally, you need a valid passport and proof of insurance. The driver will also need a credit card, it must be in the name of the primary car renter. You cannot pay for a car rental in cash.
How old do you need to be to rent a car in Argentina?
You need to be 21 years old to rent a car in Argentina. If you are over 75 years old then you will not be able to rent a car. Much like in the US, there is an additional surcharge for drivers who are younger than 25 years old.
Is insurance required to drive in Argentina?
Yes, it is! By law insurance is mandatory to drive a car in Argentina, this includes a rental car. The rental company will sell you full coverage insurance. This is not the only place where you can get car insurance.
Some credit cards will give you car insurance when you book your car with the credit card. Your car insurance from back home may also cover your rental car. You should call them to ask if that’s a possibility.
While getting insurance from the rental agency may not be the most affordable, you also confidently know that it is legal in Argentina. We personally don’t usually buy insurance from the rental agency unless we know the roads are particularly narrow or treacherous.
What is it like to drive a rental car in Argentina?
Driving in Argentina can be challenging. They drive on the right side of the road and that’s basically where the similarities with the US driving end. All the speed limits are in km/hour instead of miles/hour. They are slightly slower on the highway than you’d expect in the US.
In cities, traffic can pretty much be completely bumper to bumper. Additionally, cars tend to be smaller than cars in the USA. Because of this people tend to drive a lot more aggressively. Stop signs are effectively ignored in all of Buenos Aires. Be prepared to hear a lot of honking, small fender benders (where people don’t even get out of their cars to exchange insurance), and a very aggressive attitude around driving. Expect some tailgating, high-speed weaving in and out of traffic, and even overtaking on blind turns. All drivers, including the buses, are aggressive while driving.
Once you leave the city you will find slower-paced, more easy driving. People are a lot more relaxed and far less aggressive. The roads in Argentina are fairly well maintained. As you go out further from a city you might see some gravel or dirt roads. If this is a possibility for your trip try to rent a 4-Wheel Drive vehicle.
All the signs will be in Spanish. You will rarely see a sign in both Spanish and another language. Most signs will look familiar such as the stop signs and the speed limit signs and other directional signs. It’s always a good idea to study up on the signs before renting a car in Argentina, especially if you don’t know Spanish.
FAQs About Renting a Car in Argentina
Are there scams to be aware of?
Absolutely! It’s not a perfect country (no matter how much we may love visiting). There are two major safety/scam concerns to be aware of when driving around in Argentina or while picking up a rental.
First, when you come to a stoplight within a city make sure your windows are rolled up and the doors are locked. Robberies are known to happen at stoplights.
Second, should you be stopped by a police officer they may require that you pay your fine on the spot. This is not a legal request nor is it something you should do. So regardless of all the threats of towing your car stand your ground and request a formal ticket to be written. Usually, the police officer will give up and move on. This is most common in Northwestern Argentina.
What is it like to Drive in Patagonia?
Patagonia is a popular destination for many road-trippers! However, many people can be concerned by the rugged mountain terrain and the challenging weather. However, it is not necessarily more dangerous than driving anywhere else. Naturally, you want to drive carefully and be conscientious of the weather.
Traffic in Patagonia is significantly more relaxed. A major thing to keep in mind is that not all of the roads are paved. This can pose a challenge during adverse weather days. Some of the roads are not clearly marked. Additionally, there aren’t really lights on the roads. This can make it difficult to see any animals or muddy parts of paved roads.
Pro Tip: Cell service can be very spotty in this area, download the maps before hitting the road. This will help you navigate even without cell service.
What are the rules of the road in Argentina?
It is important to know the rules of the road before heading out there. Most of the rules are pretty standard. Wear your seat belt at all times, don’t drink and drive, and your cell phone must be used with a hands-free device. Remember to keep your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and passport on hand while driving.
Argentina-specific laws that you should know about are that you have to drive with headlights on at all times. Vehicles must also be equipped with two safety triangles, a first aid kit, a reflective vest, and a fire extinguisher. Check your rental car for these supplies before leaving the lot.
What is parking like in Argentina?
Parking can be tricky for two reasons: Crime and Availability
Crime: Cars are fairly easy to break into which is why this is such a problem. The safest place to part is a parking garage. This is found by looking for signs that have an “E” on them. E is for estacionamiento, which means parking garage.
If you have to park on the street here are some tips to keep in mind. It is illegal to park on the sidewalk and the wrong way on a one-way. Look for well-lit, high-traffic areas and make sure no valuables are visible. Look out to make sure you don’t park in a no-parking zone. You’ll see signs with an “E” crossed which means no parking.
Availability: Especially in Buenos Aires, parking can be hard to find. If you find street parking you might find yourself face to face with Trapitos or guards. While their service is technically illegal and they have no claim to the “safety” of the street, give them a small amount of cash and they’ll leave your car alone. Many people have said that they found their cars keyed or scratched if they refused to pay the “guards.”
What are useful apps to use when driving in Argentina?
Waze is a very popular app to use for maps in Argentina. It is very accurate and helps you avoid traffic. It is by far the most used map app in Argentina. We saw everyone using it from taxi drivers to my cousins.
BA Turismo is a government-affiliated app from Buenos Aires. It helps tourists get information on tours, museums, and any other attractions that they can find along the way. The app is also in English.
Como Leego is another government app for Buenos Aires. It literally translates to “How do I arrive”. In Buenos Aires, it can help you navigate using public transportation.
Can an American rent a car in Argentina?
Absolutely! As long as you have all the requirements discussed above, you can rent a car. There is no discrimination due to nationality.
Are there automatic cars in Argentina?
Yes! They are more expensive and less common than manual cars. If you need an automatic car make sure to specify that in your car reservation.
Final Thoughts about Renting a Car in Argentina
Renting a car in Argentina can really add to your experience visiting Argentina. Is it required to rent a car to have a good time? No, but it can help. Argentina is such a large country with so much to explore! With an adventurous heart, you can truly explore so many small towns and unique areas with your car rental.
