South Americans travel by car

South American roads, especially outside the major cities, are notorious for their bumpy, pothole-riddled and generally poor conditions. Most car rental companies in South America do not allow their vehicles to be driven across borders, or permit very restricted border crossing only, making independent exploring of the whole continent by car difficult.

If you are determined to go it alone and drive around South America, you will find car hire companies at all airports and in most major cities. Hotels should be able to alert you to better-value local places, but often you can get a reasonable deal by booking far enough in advance and over the Internet. Costs are high due to skyrocketing insurance rates, but the independence granted you by a car may be worth it. Be sure to check your insurance carefully for exclusions, as car theft, vandalism and general security are renowned problems in some parts of South America, especially Argentina and Brazil, and you may not be covered for these. Damage to tyres or the underside of the car may also be excluded. Rental charges vary from country to country and depend on the model of car. You will be required to present a credit card and an International Driving License or an Inter-American Driving Permit will be useful to back up your licence from back home (though rarely a legal requirement).

A certain machismo reigns here, so beware other drivers, especially at night. When driving in hilly or twisty terrain, a good rule of thumb seems to be to honk your horn before going round any corner – the locals do this with great gusto, so rest assured that no one will find you rude. South Americans drive on the right except in Suriname and Guyana.