Although Brazil is well-connected by a long-distance bus system, its options for getting around short distances are more limited. Renting a car in Brazil can give you the freedom to make stops wherever you want and visit some of the country’s most popular outdoor attractions, like the Iguazu Falls, without requiring multiple bus transfers and single-trip travel times of up to 18 hours.
Many Brazilian cars have the option to run on either gasoline or ethanol, which are both commonly available at the country’s gas stations. If you have a preference for one or the other, be sure to check with your rental car provider to make sure your car is getting the right fuel, as putting the wrong fuel in your car can land you a hefty fee.
When traveling with children in Brazil, make sure you know the safety guidelines to avoid getting a ticket. Children under the age of one must be in a rear-facing seat, while children ages one to four must ride in a front-facing seat, and children four to seven must ride in a booster seat. If all of your children are between ages seven and 10, then only the tallest is allowed to sit in the front. Seats can easily be added onto your rental by your company.
To cross the borders into neighboring countries like Argentina and Paraguay, you’ll need special permissions from the rental car agency, as well as insurance that fulfills the requirements of all the countries you’ll be traveling to. Make sure to check with your rental car agency before booking, and don’t forget to carry all documentation with you at all times to ease crossings and avoid any potential issues.
25% of our users found rental cars in Brazil for C$ 25 or less
Book your rental car in Brazil at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in Brazil are around 34% more expensive than airport locations on average
Supplier choice rental cars in Brazil are around 26% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Brazil
On average a rental car in Brazil costs C$ 56 per day.
Economy (Class Economy Car or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Brazil.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Localiza (C$ 22/day), FOCO (C$ 25/day) and National (C$ 36/day).
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Brazil are Belém (19% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Brazil), Vitória (19%) and Campo Grande (14%).
On average a rental car in Brazil costs C$ 166 per week (C$ 24 per day).
On average a rental car in Brazil costs C$ 712 per month (C$ 24 per day).
The roads in Brazil can vary widely in quality from the cities to the country, and the driving culture in the country is very focused on communication. Don’t be surprised if you let someone merge and receive a few honks of the horn as a thank you. Hand signals are also popular for signaling turns or giving the right of way.
When it comes to renting a car in Brazil, the rules are very similar to the US. You can rent a car at age 21 with an international driving permit, but many companies carry an additional surcharge for those under the age of 25.
The average gas prices in Brazil are a bit steeper than in the US. Prices in Brazil can be equivalent to around 17 BRL (4.50 USD) per gallon. When filling up in Brazil, make sure to have cash on hand, as that is the preferred way to pay at both smaller and larger gas stations.
The speed limits in Brazil are similar to the limits imposed on US roads. The speed limit in cities and residential areas is 60 km/h (37 mph), while the limit is 80 km/h (50 mph) in the countryside and 120 km/h (75 mph) on the expressway. These limits are often exceeded by everyday drivers, so some caution is warranted in busier areas.
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.