How to find a cheap car rental deal in Peru
Searching for a cheap rental car in Peru? You've landed in the right place. With prices starting at P1,512 a day, we compare all the best deals so you can book faster, spend smarter, and drive away happy.
P10,580 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental if your travel plans run a little longer.
Browse the range of car rentals in Cuzco. This is where you'll find the cheapest rides in Peru.
Lima is the most popular city to rent a car.
If you're not sure which company to go with, check out Hertz. More travellers choose it than any other brand in Peru.
Swap your plane seat for the driver's seat by picking up a ride at the airport. Lima Airport, Cuzco Airport and Arequipa Airport all provide access to car rentals.
You can rent some wheels easily in cities including Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa, Tarapoto and Chiclayo.
Think about going with a one-way rental. Providers sometimes lower prices on some routes to move vehicles between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Peru, select 'Return car to a different location' to access those deals.
Planning a multi-week rental? It could be cheaper to book a full month, so test a few date combinations to find out what works best.
Choose a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy' and avoid additional fuel charges. It comes with a full tank and goes back full, so there are no unexpected add-ons.
Select 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and let the map decide how much ground you cover. You can roam wherever the road takes you without added mileage charges.
Best time to book a car rental in Peru
Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a car rental in Peru. Try booking around three weeks before you go.
Plan your trip for sometime in November to score average daily rates of P3,223. It's the most affordable month to rent a car.
May tends to be the most expensive.
Compare car rental types in Peru
Economy: If you want reliable and affordable, economy is a smart match. With lower daily rates and fuel-efficient engines, this option helps keep both upfront and ongoing costs down.
Small: This category features mini and economy cars that handle the basics with ease. Compact size, fuel-efficient engines and good manoeuvrability make it a practical choice when searching for a cheap rental car in Peru.
Medium: Need a step up in space without the big step up in size? Medium rentals (which include compact and intermediate models) strike the perfect balance. They feel right at home on city streets, on the highway and almost everywhere in between.
Large: No fighting for space. No stacking bags at your feet. Also known as full-size, large cars offer generous passenger space and the luggage capacity to match. Choose this category when you're covering some serious distance or bringing the entire crew.
SUV: From motorways to scenic detours, SUVs can do it all. With a higher driving position, adjustable seating arrangements, and the ability to handle varied terrain with ease, they work perfectly for road trips across Peru.
Van: When you've got plenty to carry, a van rises to the occasion. This category of car for rent in Peru fits everyone and everything comfortably. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid choice for group travel, moving or business transport.
Luxury: Want the ultimate experience? This goes beyond getting from A to B — it's about showing up in style. Luxury vehicles combine head-turning design, advanced technology, and effortless performance in one exceptional package.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the excess you may have to pay if your rental car is damaged or stolen. While not mandatory, it's a smart add-on if you'd rather play it safe. Just remember that policies differ from one provider to another, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.
Upgrade your ride with extras like mobile Wi-Fi or a reverse camera. These features can make your journey easier and more relaxed when you rent a car in Peru.
Driving in Peru: What you need to know
Age requirements can vary by provider and even car type, so be clear on the rules before you book. Some providers in Peru may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you fall outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.
Travelling with kids? Car seat rules vary from one location to another, and the best setup may depend on their height, weight and age. Make sure you add the right one to your car rental reservation in Peru.
Come prepared to make pick-up quick and easy. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no copies) and a second photo ID. Also bring a credit card that can cover the deposit. If extra requirements apply, your booking will list them.
If it's your first time driving in Peru, don't forget that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.
Make sure you follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 30kph in urban areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Peru is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the only way to be sure you're safe to drive is to avoid drinking.
Where to road trip in Peru?
Peru is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa, plus airport pickup points like Jorge Chávez International Airport and Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. If you're planning car rental in Peru, these routes show how different pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types can shape your journey.
Ancient Civilizations: Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Beyond
Pick up your car in Cusco and drive into one of the Andes' most historically layered valleys, connecting Inca sites and colonial towns across high-altitude terrain. It's a well-suited route for history-focused travellers who prefer short daily drives with plenty of time to explore on foot.
Recommended car: Compact SUV.
Suggested pickup point: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples and first-time visitors to Peru.
Road conditions: Paved highland roads, steep switchbacks, occasional unpaved sections near ruins.
Best time to go: May to October for dry, clear conditions.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Pisac, Ollantaytambo.
Pacific Coast: Lima South to the Paracas Peninsula and Ica
Start in Lima and follow the coastal road south through desert cliffs and fishing towns toward a major marine reserve and a renowned wine-producing valley. The distances between stops are manageable, making this a good option if you want varied scenery without demanding driving days.
Recommended car: Standard sedan or compact car.
Suggested pickup point: Jorge Chávez International Airport.
Good for: Food lovers, couples and wildlife watchers.
Road conditions: Paved coastal highway, flat desert stretches, short unpaved access roads.
Best time to go: December to April for warm, dry coastal weather.
Trip length: Four to six days.
Key stops: Paracas, Huacachina.
Amazon Frontier: Cusco to the Cloud Forest and High Jungle
Drive east from Cusco into the cloud forest edge of the Peruvian Amazon, descending through dramatic altitude changes toward a major river town and jungle gateway. This route rewards adventurous drivers comfortable with winding mountain roads and long stretches between fuel stops.
Recommended car: High-clearance 4WD.
Suggested pickup point: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
Good for: Adventure travellers, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Road conditions: Mountain switchbacks, unpaved jungle roads, river crossings in wet season.
Best time to go: May to September for more stable road conditions.
Trip length: Six to eight days.
Key stops: Wayqecha, Puerto Maldonado.
Weather and driving conditions in Peru
Weather
Peru divides into two main seasons across the highlands: a dry season from May to October with clear skies and cool nights, and a wet season from November to April that brings frequent afternoon rain and lush green landscapes.
Driving in Peru means preparing for very different conditions depending on where you are headed. Rain hits the Andes hardest between November and April, so slow down and increase your following distance on mountain passes. Thick coastal fog, known locally as garúa, settles over the Pacific lowlands for much of the year, so use your low beams and keep your speed down. At high elevation, snow and ice can appear on Andean routes even outside the wet season, so check conditions before you set out.
Driving conditions
The coastal highway running along Peru's Pacific edge is well-maintained and easy to drive, but roads in the Andes and Amazon regions are often unpaved, narrow and winding. Planning a road trip in Peru means checking your route carefully, as conditions between regions can vary more than you might expect.
Lima's traffic is heavy throughout the day, with congestion peaking on the ring roads and in the historic centre. One-way systems are common, street parking is limited, and informal parking attendants operate in many neighbourhoods. {NS} Outside cities, roads through the Andes narrow significantly and signage can be sparse in remote areas. Gas stations are widely spaced in highland and jungle regions, so filling up whenever you can is a practical habit.
On rural Andean roads, free-roaming llamas and alpacas are a genuine consideration, especially at dawn and dusk. Slowing down through highland areas where herds graze close to unfenced roads keeps things straightforward.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
No matter where your drive leads, the right stay changes everything after a long day on the road. After booking your car rental in Peru, check prices for hotels in Lima if you're passing by this major stop. You can also search Cuzco accommodation options or check out more places to stay in Arequipa as you put together your full route.
