Brazil car hire

After a long flight from the UK to Brazil, it may not be in your best interest to continue on to your next destination by rental car right away. We believe it's easier and safer if you take some time to acclimatise and recuperate from your flight first. Besides, road rules and traffic signs in Brazil may be slightly different than what you're used to back home... so it's important to have a clear head while driving. 

Included in car hire price

All your mileage, local taxes, possible airport tax, car and map/ information materials, drop-off charges and a comprehensive insurance:

Full Brazil car hire CDW insurance coverage and theft insurance (TPLW) with a small excess is already included in the price of car hire. Every type of insurance in Brazil comes with some amount of excess. The excess for this comprehensive insurance is approximately US $285. PAI (Personal Accident) insurance is included in the price of your car hire, but if you have proper travel insurance all medical expenses should already be covered. PLEASE NOTE: Brazil Travel Plan requires that those who hire a car in Brazil through us also have their own travel insurance. This insurance obviously does not necessarily have to be purchased through us. A detailed copy of the car hire insurance terms and conditions are available at the car rental office.  Ask for them when you go to pick up your car. Your right to insurance coverage expires if you do not abide by the terms of the contract (driving under the influence etc). Damage to windows is always for your own account; a fee is charged for processing fines (if applicable). 

Unfortunately there are still some extra costs that aren't included.

Not included in Brazil car hire price - to be paid on location

These are a few of the charges you'll have to pay on site:
- fuel
- if applicable, additional driver(s) fee
- if applicable, fee for having car delivered to hotel (see below for more info)
- optional extra facilities such as children's car seat
- deposit (see below for more info)

Fuel

Petrol isn't very expensive in Brazil; it costs approximately US $ 1.50 per litre. All cars offered by car rental organisation Localiza are 'flex' cars, meaning they run on both petrol and alcohol. Alcohol is a lot cheaper to purchase, however a car will run less efficient on it and will use at least one third more of this fuel compared to petrol. In the end, it may a little bit more affordable to run a car on alcohol. Make sure you fill up on time (we especially recommend keeping your tank as full as possible in more remote areas). Petrol stations often only accept cash payments. When you pick up your rental car, you'll pay a deposit for a full tank of petrol with your credit card. The car must also be returned with a full tank of petrol. If you return a car with a full tank of alcohol instead of petrol, it may save you some money. 
 

Drop-off fees

These are the drop-off fees that are charged if you pick your rental car up in one location and leave it behind at another. These fees are included in the price of your trip.  

Recife - Salvador or vice versa                       £313 (approximately 850km)
Rio - Belo Horizonte or vice versa                  £122 (approximately 450km)

Naturally there are no drop-off fees for self-drives from/ to Campo Grande. 

Contract fee, Frequent Flyers

You will not have to pay a contract fee for Brazil car hire agreements. The special early reservation rates do not allow you to qualify for Frequent Flyer Miles. 

Co-drivers

All drivers must be added to the Brazil car hire agreement. There's an extra fee of US$ 3 per driver, per day to be paid on location.

Extra facilities

A children's car seat (make reservations during trip booking) can be hired for approximately US$ 7.50 per day. We highly recommend using a car seat for children under 2 years of age. The use of seat belts in the back seat is mandatory. 

Deposit

A deposit must be made on location using a credit card in the name of the person driving the car. The amount of the deposit depends on the type of car and includes a deposit for a full tank of petrol and other extra facilities needed. 

Driver's Licence

In order to hire a car, you must have been in possession of a valid driver's licence for at least 2 years. This also applies to any co-drivers. An international driving license is required when driving in Brazil. You can easily obtain one through the AA. During a self drive you must have both your regular driver's licence and your and international driving license with you!

Age

The minimum age limit for drivers and co-drivers is 21. There's no maximum age limit. 

Duration of car hire

The minimum rental period is 1 day (24 hours). You are not allowed to drive into neighbouring countries. If you return the car late, then you will owe a fee for the extra hours or days. This fee will be based on local rates and not on our special tour operator rates. If you return your car early, you will not receive a refund. 

Brazil car hire offices/ assistance

The car rental offices we work with are located in Salvador (airport and city offices), Recife (airport and city offices), Rio (airport and suburb offices), Belo Horizonte (airport office) and Campo Grande (airport office). More information, other offices, addresses, telephone numbers and opening hours are available upon request. 

Pick-up/ Drop-off

You can pick up your rental car at the airport (24 hours per day) or at the city office (until 20:00) when these offices are open. Do this within one hour after the pre-arranged time, to keep your reservation. City maps and driving maps are available for free, but usually they are not very detailed. You can get a Quatro Rodas map on location. If you return your car too late, you will have to pay for an extra day (or part of a day) at local rates.  

Where to drive, where not to drive

Brazil car hire is available for the routes that we offer travel along. Before you head off with your rental car, find out what the current road conditions are along the route you plan on driving. The car rental office will know the latest information. 

Car rental category

As in most countries, Brazil car hire is based on a particular type of category and not on a make or model. The makes and models mentioned on the site are only examples of the type of car you may receive. In the unfortunate event that there are no cars available in the category of your choice when you arrive to pick one up, you will receive an upgrade for the same price. If you decide on an upgrade while on location, you'll pay a surcharge based on the local rates.

Baggage

Space is always limited in rental cars. In many cases when more than 2 people are travelling together, more baggage is brought along than can be stowed. Soft travel bags are always easier to stow than hard shell suitcases. Cars in a higher, more expensive category often have more space for baggage. 

Information subject to change

All information on local rates, drop-off fees, insurance premiums and Brazil car hire terms & conditions can be revised by car rental organisations or legislature without prior notification. A detailed copy of the Brazil car hire terms & conditions are available for you when you go to pick up your car.