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Car Hire Guide: Brazil

 Brazil, the largest country in South America, boasts an array of natural wonders, vibrant cities, and diverse cultures. To explore it at your pace, renting a car is a brilliant idea. Whether you're cruising through the coastal roads or venturing into the Amazon, understanding the nuances of driving in Brazil is crucial.

1. Driving Regulations:

  • Driving Side: Brazil drives on the right side of the road.
  • License Requirements: A valid driver's license from your home country is required. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is also recommended.
  • Age Restrictions: The minimum age to rent a car is generally 21, with at least two years of driving experience. Some rental agencies might charge extra for drivers under 25.

2. Road Conditions:

  • Major cities and tourist destinations have well-maintained roads. However, once you venture into rural areas, road conditions can deteriorate.
  • Be cautious of potholes and road irregularities, especially during the rainy season.

3. Traffic and Navigation:

  • Traffic in cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro can be dense, particularly during rush hours.
  • Motorcycles often weave through traffic; stay alert.
  • Road signs are in Portuguese. GPS is advisable, but always carry an updated road map.

4. Parking:

  • In urban areas, street parking might be challenging. Opt for guarded parking lots ("estacionamentos") when possible.
  • Always ensure your car doors are locked, and valuables are out of sight.

5. Fuel:

  • Fuel stations are abundant in urban areas but can be sparse in remote regions.
  • Brazil uses both gasoline ("gasolina") and ethanol ("álcool"). Make sure you know the fuel type suitable for your rented vehicle.

6. Car Types and Climate Considerations:

  • For city driving, compact cars are more manageable.
  • If you're exploring the Amazon or the Pantanal, consider an SUV or a vehicle with higher ground clearance.
  • During the rainy season, roads can flood, especially in the north. Check local conditions.

7. Safety and Emergency:

  • Emergency Number: 190 (police), 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire).
  • Brazil has certain areas with higher crime rates. Always be cautious, avoid driving at night, especially in unfamiliar areas, and stay informed about safe regions.
  • It's illegal to drive with any amount of alcohol in your bloodstream in Brazil.

8. Local Customs and Tips:

  • Brazilian drivers are known to be aggressive compared to European standards. Be alert, especially at intersections.
  • Speed bumps ("lombadas") are common, even on highways.
  • At traffic lights, even if it's green, glance to ensure cross traffic has stopped.

Must-Visit Driving Routes:

  • The Coastal Route: From Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo, enjoy the Atlantic Ocean views.
  • The Historical Route: Explore the colonial towns of Minas Gerais, like Ouro Preto and Tiradentes.

Brazil is a captivating country and has a host of treasures to its name including white sandy beaches, buzzing and vibrant cities, canyons, waterfalls and of course the famous Amazon jungle. Renting a car in Brazil is the safest and most convenient method of getting around this exciting country and seeing all of its sights.

 

 


Cheapest car hire in Brazil

Fiat Mobi Like

4 Adults, 4 Doors

From 19.93 EUR/day
Fiat Mobi Like

7 Days rental at 139.57 EUR from 22/04/2024

  1 |
  Manual |
  No

Fiat Mobi Like

4 Adults, 4 Doors

From 19.93 EUR/day
Fiat Mobi Like

7 Days rental at 139.57 EUR from 22/04/2024

  1 |
  Manual |
  No

Fiat Mobi Like

4 Adults, 4 Doors

From 19.93 EUR/day
Fiat Mobi Like

7 Days rental at 139.57 EUR from 22/04/2024

  1 |
  Manual |
  No

Chevrolet Onix

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 21.58 EUR/day
Chevrolet Onix

7 Days rental at 151.09 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Renault Logan

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 21.62 EUR/day
Renault Logan

7 Days rental at 151.35 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Chevrolet Onix

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 22.54 EUR/day
Chevrolet Onix

7 Days rental at 157.79 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Fiat Novo Uno

5 Adults, 3 Doors

From 20.62 EUR/day
Fiat Novo Uno

7 Days rental at 144.39 EUR from 22/04/2024

  2 |
  Manual |
  No

Nissan Versa

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 20.80 EUR/day
Nissan Versa

7 Days rental at 145.63 EUR from 22/04/2024

  2 |
  Manual |
  No

Hyundai HB20

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 20.97 EUR/day
Hyundai HB20

7 Days rental at 146.83 EUR from 22/04/2024

  2 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Chevrolet Spin

7 Adults, 5 Doors

From 28.56 EUR/day
Chevrolet Spin

7 Days rental at 199.98 EUR from 22/04/2024

  2 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Chevrolet Spin

7 Adults, 5 Doors

From 35.34 EUR/day
Chevrolet Spin

7 Days rental at 247.42 EUR from 22/04/2024

  2 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Chevrolet Spin

7 Adults, 5 Doors

From 38.55 EUR/day
Chevrolet Spin

7 Days rental at 269.90 EUR from 22/04/2024

  2 |
  Manual |
  Yes

Fiat Pulse

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 34.15 EUR/day
Fiat Pulse

7 Days rental at 239.06 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Fiat Pulse

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 34.15 EUR/day
Fiat Pulse

7 Days rental at 239.06 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Fiat Pulse

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 34.15 EUR/day
Fiat Pulse

7 Days rental at 239.06 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Nissan Leaf Electric

5 Adults, 5 Doors

From 147.62 EUR/day
Nissan Leaf Electric

7 Days rental at 1033.34 EUR from 22/04/2024

  3 |
  Automatic |
  Yes

Top tips when hiring a car in Brazil

  • Drive on the right-hand side of the road in Brazil, the steering wheel is on the left side of the car
  • It is safe to drive in Brazil, despite what you might read but you should remain vigilant regardless
  • Alamo are the highest rated car rental agent in Brazil with a rating of 9.1 from over 8,000 customers.
  • It's illegal to drive in flip-flops in Brazil, if you're heading to the beach, slip off the Havaianas before driving
  • The car hire companies we work with have gathered over 11,000 customer reviews and counting
 

Popular car hire destinations in Brazil

Laws and rules of the road when driving in Brazil

  •  

    R

    Road Driving Side

  •  

    30 - 60kph

    Urban speed Limit

  •  

    60-80kph

    Rural Speed Limit

  •  

    80-110kph

    Motorway Speed Limit

  •  

    BRL  4.20/Ltr

    Current Petrol Price

  •  

    20mg

    Drink Drive Limit

  •  

    BRL

    Currency

  •  

    YES

    Tolls

  •  

    21

    Min Rental Age

    18

    Min Driving Age

  •  

    Front and Rear

    Seatbelts

  •  

    Fixed and Mobile

    Speed Cameras

  •  

    Hands Free Only

    Mobile Phones

Compare car rental agents in Brazil

Rental Agent
Locations
Rating (/10)
Customer Reviews
Mini (€/day)
Compact (€/day)
Intermediate (€/day)
Standard (€/day)
 Alamo
174
8.6/10
2,085
€ 42.76
€ 45.54
€ 82.03
 Movida
118
8.4/10
8,595
€ 19.93
€ 25.28
€ 43.57
 Unidas
69
7.9/10
3,805
€ 26.18
€ 23.93
€ 34.15
€ 77.51
 Foco aluguel de carros
21
7.5/10
1,885
€ 29.14
€ 21.58
€ 35.96

Car rental agent statistics in Brazil

  • Highest Rated Agent Icon
    8.6/10
    Highest rated agent:
    ALAMO
  • Lowest Rated Agent Icon
    7.0/10
    Lowest rated agent:
    FOCO ALUGUEL DE CARROS
  • Total Number of Reviews Icon
    16,370
    Total number of reviews in
    Brazil
  • Most Locations Icon
    139
    Most Locations in Brazil:
    ALAMO
  • Average Wait Time Icon
    20
    Average wait time
    (Min.)
  • Total Rental Companies Icon
    9
    Total rental companies
     

Average prices per day for car hire in Brazil

ItemPercent
January€ 52
February€ 49
March€ 42
April€ 40
May€ 39
June€ 41
July€ 40
August€ 37
September€ 36
October€ 36
November€ 36
December€ 41
ItemPercent
January€ 32
February€ 31
March€ 27
April€ 26
May€ 25
June€ 25
July€ 26
August€ 25
September€ 25
October€ 25
November€ 25
December€ 29
ItemPercent
January€ 66
February€ 68
March€ 57
April€ 54
May€ 50
June€ 51
July€ 57
August€ 51
September€ 49
October€ 53
November€ 54
December€ 60
ItemPercent
January€ 63
February€ 60
March€ 49
April€ 45
May€ 42
June€ 44
July€ 45
August€ 40
September€ 39
October€ 40
November€ 40
December€ 46
ItemPercent
January€ 84
February€ 111
March€ 93
April€ 92
May€ 116
June€ 112
July€ 104
August€ 126
September€ 93
October€ 75
November€ 84
December€ 121
ItemPercent
January€ 40
February€ 36
March€ 33
April€ 31
May€ 31
June€ 33
July€ 30
August€ 33
September€ 30
October€ 37
November€ 35
December€ 36
ItemPercent
January€ 44
February€ 52
March€ 43
April€ 51
May€ 43
June€ 43
July€ 44
August€ 39
September€ 40
October€ 41
November€ 39
December€ 42
ItemPercent
January€ 75
February€ 59
March€ 53
April€ 51
May€ 49
June€ 57
July€ 47
August€ 44
September€ 41
October€ 39
November€ 40
December€ 50

Select category to see average car hire prices in Brazil

*average daily rates based on 7 day rental, search for today's best prices.

Fuel prices in Brazil

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2023

€ 1.10

€ 0.96

Apr , 2023

€ 1.07

€ 0.99

May , 2023

€ 1.04

€ 1.02

Jun , 2023

€ 0.98

€ 0.99

Jul , 2023

€ 0.93

€ 1.05

Aug , 2023

€ 0.92

€ 1.03

Sep , 2023

€ 1.17

€ 1.12

Oct , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.07

Nov , 2023

€ 1.13

€ 1.05

Dec , 2023

€ 1.12

€ 1.05

Jan , 2024

€ 1.10

€ 1.04

Feb , 2024

€ 1.09

€ 1.04

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.09 1.04
Jan , 2024 1.10 1.04
Dec , 2023 1.12 1.05
Nov , 2023 1.13 1.05
Oct , 2023 1.13 1.07
Sep , 2023 1.17 1.12
Aug , 2023 0.92 1.03
Jul , 2023 0.93 1.05
Jun , 2023 0.98 0.99
May , 2023 1.04 1.02
Apr , 2023 1.07 0.99
Mar , 2023 1.10 0.96

Car rental price statistics in Brazil

  • Average Price Icon
    € 139.51
    Average price:
    (per week)
  • Highest Daily Price Icon
    € 192.65
    Highest daily price:
    Mercedes GLA
  • Total Vehicles Icon
    2,914
    Total cars available
     
  • Most Popular Car Model Icon
    319
    Most popular model:
    Nissan Versa
  • Locations with Most Cars Icon
    46
    Location with most cars:
    Sao Paulo - Congonhas - Airport
  • Cheapest Daily Price Icon
    € 19.9 per day
    Cheapest daily price:
    MOVIDA - Maceió - Zumbi dos Palmares Intl. Airport
FAQs - How can we help?

There are always some points on which you are not sure when hiring a car, so we have done our best to answer the frequently asked questions. Just click this link and you will find the questions are sorted by category for easy navigation.

Useful links if renting a car in Brazil

Check out the Rules of the Road by looking at:-

Other Car Hire Locations in Brazil

We specialise in car rentals throughout Brazil to find you the best price and that's a promise...

Rio de Janeiro City
€18.3
 
 
Mini 5 4 1 from €18.3 per day
Compact 5 5 3 from €24.1 per day
Economy 3 5 2 from €18.9 per day
Salvador Airport
€25.0
 
 
Mini 5 4 1 from €18.3 per day
Compact 5 5 3 from €25.0 per day
Economy 3 5 2 from €18.3 per day
Sao Paulo Airport (GRU)
€17.1
 
 
Mini 5 4 1 from €17.8 per day
Compact 5 5 3 from €24.2 per day
Economy 3 5 2 from €17.1 per day
Belo Horizonte Airport
€21.6
 
 
Mini 5 4 1 from €21.6 per day
Compact 5 5 3 from €22.4 per day
Economy 3 5 2 from €21.6 per day