Renting a car in Colombia offers the most freedom in terms of the locations you can visit and the schedule on which you can visit them. The alternative transport method of bus travel can be slow, and destinations like Hacienda La Aurora, the Pacific coastal region and other natural destinations can often be impossible to visit and navigate when relying on Colombia’s bus system.
Because Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world, you can run into a plethora of different driving conditions when navigating and exploring the country. Renting a car or sedan is sufficient for getting between more developed towns and cities, but a four-wheel drive vehicle will be necessary to tackle the mountainous regions and jungle roads in Colombia.
There are no specific laws regulating child restraint in vehicles when traveling in Colombia. If you would prefer to secure your child in a car seat when driving around Colombia, consider either bringing your own or renting a car through one of the larger, multinational companies that offer child seats as an add-on feature. You can reserve one at the same time you reserve your car.
If you’re planning to explore the neighboring countries after renting a car in Colombia, it’s important to note that many rental car agencies will not allow you to cross the border in your rental car. To visit Peru, Ecuador or one of the other surrounding countries by car, you’ll need to fly into the country or travel over land by bus and then rent a car there.
Book your rental car in Colombia at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Economy rental cars in Colombia are around 60% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about hiring a car in Colombia
Economy (Chevrolet Spark or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Colombia.
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Colombia are Alamo (6.1, 140 reviews), and Avis (6.1, 103 reviews).
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Colombia are Bogotá (40% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Colombia), Cartagena (20%) and Medellín (20%).
Getting around Colombia in a car can require defensive driving around cities and busier towns, as the flow of traffic can be fast-paced. It is also advised not to drive at night due to stray cattle and the abundance of cars, trucks and motorcycles without headlights. There are some major roads with tolls, and most of them are paid electronically. Ask about this with your rental car provider to ensure that you have the correct means to pay.
To rent a car in Colombia, you must be at least 18 years of age. However, drivers that are between 18 and 21 will be subject to an additional surcharge, which varies between different rental car companies. You can drive in Colombia with your US license, but you must have an international permit if you’re from a country with a non-Roman alphabet.
Filling up your petrol tank in Colombia will cost you nearly the same amount of money as in the United States, depending on the individual cities or towns you’ll be traveling to. Petrol costs an average of around 9,000 COP (2.76 USD) per gallon in Colombia, which is only slightly more expensive than the US average price of 2.50 USD per gallon.
The speed limits imposed on roads in Colombia are similar to those in the US and much of Europe. The speed limit on residential roads is up to 30 km/h (18 mph), the speed limit on roads in rural areas is up to 80 km/h (50 mph) and the speed limit on major motorways can be up to 100 km/h (62 mph).
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for hire cars for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 24 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car hires listed or dates of travel. Some hire car providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the website of the respective hire car provider.