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South America stretches from the Caribbean to the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, over 14 exotic countries. Consider a South America rent a car while exploring this diverse continent, from the rainforests of the Amazon, to the peaks of the Andes, to the beautiful beaches of Brazil.  South America car rentals are available at major airports from Alamo, National, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty and Europcar. Most cities and tourist areas also provide car rentals from one or more of the major vendors and many smaller regional agencies.

The experience you have with a South America rent a car agency can vary widely from country to country, based on accessibility and convenience. In general, the cheapest way to travel is through the large bus networks, but these can be uncomfortable, unreliable, and unsafe. Renting a car offers more flexibility, but will likely be much more expensive, especially for popular SUV and 4x4 styles that are best equipped to handle rural roads. The expressways surrounding major cities are usually wide and well-maintained but many are privately owned, so be prepared for tolls. Most roads become considerably narrower and the quality decreases rapidly the further you travel from urban centers. Be sure to fill your gas tank before setting out into more isolated areas where service stations can be scattered.

Age requirements for South America car rentals range from 18 to 25, depending on country and agency. Some will allow you to use your regular driver's license, although it is highly recommended to get an international drivers license, as many insurance companies will not cover accidents if the driver cannot provide both. Always make sure you are covered for collisions and emergency breakdown/towing services. Other regulations can be as mixed from region to region as the driving conditions, so make sure you are comfortable with the corresponding laws everywhere you plan to travel.  Remember most of South America drives on the right but Guyana and Suriname are the exceptions. Several companies will permit you to return the car in another city (often for an additional fee), but most rental agencies will not allow you to travel in between countries. For the few that do, expect to pay an additional fee for additional insurance and notary costs. Each country has border controls where you will be required to present your passport, any applicable visas, and all valid automobile documents and licenses.