Is it Worth Renting a Car in Peru? A Complete Guide to Driving in Peru
Renting a car in Peru is a great way to explore the country’s stunning landscapes at your own pace. From the coastal highways to the winding mountain roads of the Andes, having your own vehicle offers flexibility and freedom beyond guided tours. However, there are important factors to consider before hitting the road.
Driving in Peru can come with unique challenges, including unpredictable traffic, varying road conditions, and local driving customs. Understanding rental requirements, insurance options, and safety tips will help you have a smooth experience for hiring a car in Cusco, Lima, or other cities around the country.
Whether you plan to explore the surroundings of Lima or explore the mountains around Cusco, knowing what to expect can make all the difference. With the right preparation, renting a car can be an incredible way to see Peru’s diverse landscapes and hidden gems.
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Renting a Car in Peru: a Brief Intro
If you're here, you're probably looking into renting a car in Peru.
On our first trip to Peru, we decided to get around with just public transportation, and our most recent trip (January 2025), we decided to hire a car in Cusco and Lima to explore on our own.
Some of the things we are going to cover:
- What you need to rent a car in Peru
- Costs of renting a car in Peru
- What driving in Peru is like
- Pros & Cons to renting a car in Peru
- Whether or not renting a car in Peru is worth it
Let's dive right in!
Peru is a beautiful country to road trip.
Can You Self Drive in Peru?
Hiring a car in Peru doesn't necessarily mean you need a driver. Renting a car in Peru is easy, and available to both locals and tourists who can rent a car and drive around on their own.
Is it Recommended to Rent a Car in Peru?
Renting a car in Peru is actually not a super popular option, and isn't one that most recommend. That being said, we absolutely loved renting a car in Peru! It certainly has its pros and cons, but if you are adventurous and want to explore on your own time, then we certainly recommend giving it a shot.
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Renting a Car in Peru: What You Need to Book
Alright, it's time to look at how to book a car in Peru!
You can easily rent a car in Peru online, or upon arrival. For the best availability and prices though, renting a car in Peru ahead of time is definitely our top recommendation.
You may even get lucky like we were! In Lima we reserved the cheapest car well in advance. When we got there they asked us if we wanted to pay for an upgrade and we politely declined. Turned out they didn't have the car we asked for, and had to upgrade us anyway!
What Do I Need to Rent a Car in Peru?
In order to rent a car in Peru you'll need a valid driver's license, as well as a credit card to put the down payment on for liability purposes.
Do I Need an International Driver's License in Peru?
Foreign tourists in Peru can actually drive with a driver's license from their home country for up to 183 days. If your license is not in Spanish or English, we'd recommend carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) just in case.
Can I Rent a Car in Peru with a US License?
You can absolutely rent a car in Peru with a US license! Just make sure that you are careful when doing your reservation. While most cars in the US are automatic, there are plenty of manual cars in Peru.
Speaking as a girl from the US who can only drive automatic, Fede was the driver while we were in Cusco since we had a manual option for cheaper, and in Lima they upgraded us for free so we were both able to drive.
Keep in mind there is typically a small fee for another person to be able to drive, as they'll also need to be registered just in case anythign happens.
Do I Need a Car Seat in Peru?
Children from 9 to 18 kg (from 1-3 years old) are supposed to use a car seat in Peru.
I kind of have to laugh at this though, because not once did I see anyone using a car seat, and we even saw infants on laps of parents riding with multiple other people on scooters in parts of Peru.
That being said, you of course want what is safest for your child! So we highly recommend getting a car seat if you have a little one (they have them at most car rental places).
Renting a Car in Peru: Costs
Now that you know some of the requirements for renting a car in Peru, let's look at how much it will cost.
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Is it Expensive to Rent a Car in Peru?
Renting a car in Peru is not crazy expensive, but it is certainly more expensive when you compare it to getting around by public transportation.
There are certain places in Peru that are much more difficult to get to, and would require hiring a taxi or a tour guide, which would both be more expensive than renting a car though.
Renting a car in Peru can be as low as $25/day if you are renting for a week in Lima, and can be even less if you are renting for a longer time. Cars can are a bit pricier in Cusco, starting at $30/day, but also can be much more expensive if you rent automatic, book last minute, or are traveling in high season.
Lima is the most affordable place to rent a car in Peru.
Insurance in Peru
Other than the price of renting a car in Peru itself, you sould also consider purchasing travel insurance. Some US credit cards actually include rental insurance, so it's worth inquiring just in case!
We found that $15/day was pretty standard, although it can vary depending on the type of car you choose, and which kind of protection you'd like.
Gas Prices in Peru
Gas prices in Peru hover around 15-16 soles/gallon (around $4-$4.25 USD). Do keep in mind that not all gas stations accept credit card! While Lima, Cusco, and other big cities have credit card machines, small towns and some highways will only have cash payments available.
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Tolls in Peru
Another expense you'll need to keep in mind while renting a car in Peru is paying for tolls.
We didn't have any tolls to pay for while driving around Cusco, but we did have a few tolls to pay on our drive between Lima and Paracas (2-3 each way). Each toll was around $5 USD, and we were able to pay with our credit card directly or in cash.
Here is a breakdown of how much we paid for our two rental cars in Peru (1 week in Cusco and 2 days in Lima):
- Lima car rental: $67.12
- Cusco car rental: $204
- Gas spent in Cusco: $96.21
- Gas spent in Lima: $67.11
- Tolls paid: $17
Total spent on driving in Peru (10 days): $451.44 (approx. $50/day)
Renting a car allows you to enjoy the views even more!
Renting a Car in Peru: Pros & Cons
There are some great things that renting a rental car in Peru brings, well as some things you may want to keep in mind.
Pros for Renting a Car in Peru
- Renting a car gives you much more flexibility.
- You'll be able to beat the crowds rather than joining tour groups at the same time (for example: the rainbow mountains)
- You can explore hidden gems that tours don't go to.
- You can shave hiking times (for example: Pallay Punchu Rainbow Mountain)
- Renting a car in Peru is a relatively seemless process in both Lima and Cusco.
- It's not crazy expensive, especially if you are traveling with other people.
- It's more comfortable and safe than public transportation.
Cons for Renting a Car in Peru
- Distances can be longer than taking the train (for example: Machu Picchu).
- Renting a car in Peru is more expensive than public transportation.
- Driving can be stressful with heavy traffic in cities, or narrow streets in small towns.
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Renting a Car in Peru: Our Experience
Renting a car in Peru gave us mixed feelings, but overall we were SO happy we decided to do so.
Hiring a Car in Cusco
First, we rented a car in Cusco, and used our car to do a 7-day road trip around Cusco, including the rainbow mountains, Maras & Moray, Ollantaytambo, Laguna Humantay, and Machu Picchu.
For south of Cusco, distances are quite far, and a lot of spots in nature include dirt roads through small villages. The main road is well-paved though, and we never felt that the drives were too much for us.
There are so many great places you can drive to from Cusco.
Renting a Car in Lima
Driving in Lima was pure chaos, and definitely not something we enjoyed. With drviers crossing when they pleased, people going slowly in the left lane, and intense traffic, we couldn't get out of there fast enough.
However, once you leave the city, everything is so easy. The highway goes parallel to the coast, is well-lit, and is nicely paved. Drives are easy, and there are just a few tolls between Lima and the area of Paracas and Ica.
Having a car gave us a ton of flexibility, and we never had trouble parking or navigating the streets outside of Lima.
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Renting a Car in Peru: Safety & Precautions
Now that you know what our rental car experience in Peru looked like, let's go over some of things you may want to know in terms of safety on the road.
Is it Safe to Drive in Peru as a Tourist?
Overall, we felt pretty safe while driving in Peru. The highways are well paved, and the police aren't corrupt like they are while driving in Mexico.
If anything, having a car gave us an extra layer of safety. It is important to know that petty theft can happen, especially in some neighborhoods of big cities, so it's important to not leave any valuables on site and to always lock your car.
We will mention though, that in certain areas like visiting the Rainbow Mountains of Peru or driving to Machu Picchu though there might be dirt roads with rocks falling from the mountains and some construction to keep in mind. Always drive slow in these areas, and be mindful of your surroundings.
In some areas like the rainbow mountains you'll have dirt roads.
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Other Things to Know About Renting a Car in Peru
At this point, you may have already decided if it is worth hiring a car in Cusco or Lima. But we're here to wrap up our thoughts on it, as well as to share a few final tips for making your rental experience safe and enjoyable.
Is it Worth Hiring a Car in Cusco?
We definitely think is is worth hiring a car in Cusco! However, it totally depends on what kind of traveler you are.
If you are a bit more relaxed, and like to have a home base, then renting a car in Cusco isn't super necessary. You can easily sign up for tours and go back and forth to Cusco.
If you are short on time, like to explore off-the-beaten-path, and are into photography, then renting a car in Cusco will definitely be a life saver for you. It saved us money and time, and also allowed me to comfortably and safely work during the long drives.
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Renting in a car is definitely worth it!
Tips for Renting a Car in Peru
Travel Planning Tools
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So are you ready to rent a car in Peru? We hope this guide has helped you decide if it is worth hiring a car in Cusco, Lima, or wherever else you decide to travel to in this incredible country.
Want to learn about all of the incredible places to visit in Peru? We have plenty of other Peru travel guides, as well as more coming up each week. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for aritcle updates and exclusive content we send out.
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