Ruta Sur Rental company category:Standard
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Ruta Sur Río GrandeRío GrandeView map
A large industrial town in Argentine Tierra del Fuego, Río Grande spreads along the island's Atlantic coast at the mouth of the river that gives it its name, surrounded by open steppe where the sheep of the great estancias graze. Campervan hire in Río Grande lets you start from the other side of the island, far from Ushuaia's mountains: the Salesian mission of La Candelaria, the cliffs of Cabo Domingo, rivers renowned for sea-run trout, the shipwreck at Cabo San Pablo and, further south, the lakes of the Fuegian forest. Ruta Sur, our partner company, has a depot here.
Its six models are all 4x4 campers sleeping two to four.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Rio Grande?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Rio Grande
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €377/day median €389/day | from €421/day median €432/day | from €397/day median €413/day |
Daily prices observed on October 26, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €3,000.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Rio Grande
1 Cabo Domingo, La Candelaria and San Sebastián Bay
- Río Grande
- La Candelaria Mission
- Cabo Domingo
- San Sebastián Bay
- Estancia María Behety
- Río Grande
North of town, the Salesian mission of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, founded in the late 19th century, houses a small museum devoted to the Selk'nam people. The road then follows the cliffs of Cabo Domingo and runs across the steppe to San Sebastián Bay, a vast tidal flat where migratory birds stop over. On the way back, Estancia María Behety, whose shearing shed is said to be one of the largest in the world, can be glimpsed from the gravel road.
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper
2 Estancia Viamonte and the Cabo San Pablo wreck
- Río Grande
- Estancia Viamonte
- Cabo San Pablo
- Río Grande
Heading south, Route 3 crosses grazing land to Estancia Viamonte, founded by Lucas Bridges, son of the Anglican missionary who settled in Ushuaia, and which now takes in guests. A gravel road then leaves the highway eastwards for Cabo San Pablo: a lighthouse, a southern beech forest running down to the beach and the rusting hull of the cargo ship Desdémona, stranded in the 1980s and reachable at low tide.
- Distance
- about 280 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper
3 Lakes Yehuin and Fagnano, one way to Ushuaia
- Río Grande
- Lake Yehuin
- Tolhuin
- Lake Fagnano
- Garibaldi Pass
- Ushuaia
Before Tolhuin, a gravel road heads into wooded hills to Lake Yehuin, popular with anglers for its peace and quiet. Tolhuin, at the eastern end of Lake Fagnano, is a good place for a night by the water. Route 3 then crosses the Fuegian Andes at Garibaldi Pass and descends through the Tierra Mayor valley to Ushuaia, another departure city of our rental companies, where you can leave the 4x4 if the offer allows a one-way trip.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper
Weather and seasons
When to go in Rio Grande?
Best time
The Fuegian summer, from November to March
November to March
highs 12 to 15 °C, lows 5 to 7 °C
The best time to set off from Río Grande: eleven to twelve hours of sunshine a day from November to January, highs around 15 °C at the height of summer and the rivers open for fishing. The wind is often at its strongest and January is the wettest month, though not excessively so: pack a windproof jacket and warm clothes, even in midsummer.
April, September and October
April, September to October
highs 8 to 11 °C, lows 1 to 4 °C
April closes the fishing season on the Río Grande, as the days shorten quickly. September, the driest month of the year, and October, back to ten hours of sunshine a day, suit short loops to the coast and the estancias. Nights hover around freezing: a heated vehicle remains essential.
Winter
The austral winter, from May to August
May to August
highs 4 to 7 °C, lows -1 to 2 °C
Five to six hours of sunshine a day, highs of 4 °C in June and July and nights often below zero: winter freezes the gravel roads, and snow can close Garibaldi Pass towards Ushuaia. The rivers are closed to fishing and the estancias see few visitors. Only set off with the rental company's agreement on your route.
Climate in Rio Grande, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 °C | 7 °C | 57 mm | 11 h/day | 11 °C |
| Feb | 15 °C | 7 °C | 47 mm | 10 h/day | 11 °C |
| Mar | 12 °C | 6 °C | 55 mm | 8 h/day | 10 °C |
| Apr | 10 °C | 4 °C | 39 mm | 7 h/day | 8 °C |
| May | 7 °C | 2 °C | 40 mm | 5 h/day | 6 °C |
| Jun | 4 °C | -1 °C | 25 mm | 5 h/day | 4 °C |
| Jul | 4 °C | -1 °C | 31 mm | 5 h/day | 3 °C |
| Aug | 6 °C | 0 °C | 34 mm | 6 h/day | 3 °C |
| Sep | 8 °C | 1 °C | 21 mm | 8 h/day | 4 °C |
| Oct | 11 °C | 3 °C | 31 mm | 10 h/day | 6 °C |
| Nov | 13 °C | 5 °C | 43 mm | 11 h/day | 8 °C |
| Dec | 14 °C | 7 °C | 50 mm | 12 h/day | 9 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Sea-run trout: licence and river access
The Río Grande ranks among the most renowned rivers in the world for sea-run trout, a brown trout that runs up from the Atlantic. Fishing requires a provincial licence, and the banks mostly cross private estancias, some of which reserve their beats for lodges: find out about public access points and the regulations, often catch-and-release, before casting a line.
The Chilean border at San Sebastián
The San Sebastián border post, about an hour's drive north, is the only way to reach the mainland by road. Without the notarised authorisation for the vehicle to leave the country, to be requested from the rental company, you will be refused exit. The post's opening hours can vary with the season: check them, and clear the fridge of fruit, meat and dairy products, which are banned on entry into Chile.
Windy steppe and gravel roads
On the northern half of the island, no relief shelters the steppe: westerly gusts hit 4x4 campers broadside, often stronger in the afternoon. At Cabo Domingo as at Cabo San Pablo, park well away from the cliff edge. On gravel roads, drive at a moderate speed and keep your distance from the trucks serving the oil installations.
Big tides along the coast
The Río Grande estuary and the nearby coast have very large tides, which uncover wide tidal flats and then come back in fast. Check the tide times before going to see the Desdémona wreck or walking in San Sebastián Bay, and never drive on the beach: wet sand easily traps a heavy vehicle.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Rio Grande
Where can I pick up a campervan in Río Grande?
Ruta Sur, the only partner company in Río Grande, has a depot in town. The exact address and handover time are given in your booking confirmation. As the airport is very close to town, a short taxi ride is enough; if your flight lands late, arrange with the rental company to collect the vehicle the next day.
How much does campervan hire cost in Río Grande?
The rate depends on the departure date, the length of hire and the model chosen, and the austral summer, which coincides with the fishing season and the Argentine holidays, concentrates demand. Enter your dates in the search engine to see the exact rate for each 4x4, mandatory fees included, bookable online straight away.
Which vehicles can I hire in Río Grande?
Ruta Sur offers only 4x4 campers here. The Adventure Camper range comes in five versions: Elite, Freedom, Premium and Luxury sleeping three, and Freedom Plus sleeping two. The Eminence Camper, with four berths, is better suited to families. As for seats, all models have five, except the Luxury, which has only three.
Can I return the vehicle in Ushuaia?
Ushuaia, about 210 km away on Route 3, is also a departure city of our rental companies. The drive, paved and entirely within Argentina, involves no border crossing. Select Ushuaia as the return location when you search: when the rental company accepts this one-way trip, any extra charge appears directly in the rate shown.
Can I reach Río Gallegos or El Calafate from Río Grande?
Yes, but by crossing Chilean Tierra del Fuego: San Sebastián border post, the road to Cerro Sombrero, the crossing of the Strait of Magellan on the Primera Angostura ferry, then back into Argentina at Monte Aymond. Río Gallegos is about 370 km away, El Calafate a long day's drive further. Both are among our departure cities, which makes a one-way trip possible.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Rio Grande with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Excellent follow-up, pleasant and efficient contact.
Jérôme K.
Argentina · Mar 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Booking a pick-up with a rooftop tent. A flawless experience from the first exchange with Cooldrive to the return of the vehicle, which allowed us to travel across Argentina just as we wanted: on an ADVENTURE!! This will remain an unforgettable trip. A big thank you for your valuable advice and your responsiveness. Rental company in Buenos Aires very professional and extremely kind.
S.
Argentina · Mar 2025
Trustpilot
The quality of the vehicle was limited, with basic comfort considering the excessive price. Good rating for customer relations, but there was a lack of verification of the rented vehicles.
(anonymous)
Argentina · Jan 2024
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Río Grande
What licence do I need to drive a 4x4 camper in Tierra del Fuego?
The 4x4 campers offered in Río Grande can be driven with a car licence. Foreign drivers are well advised to carry an international driving permit with their national licence, especially as any route to the mainland goes through Chile. Traffic drives on the right. Each offer states the driver's minimum age and the number of years of licence required.
Where can I stay overnight in a campervan around Río Grande?
Equipped campsites are rare on the north coast of the island; Tolhuin and the shores of Lake Fagnano have more. At Cabo San Pablo, people often sleep out in the wild, sheltered from the wind where possible. Almost all of the steppe belongs to estancias and is fenced: only stop there for the night with the estancia's permission, and check the local rules.
How do I get to Río Grande?
Gobernador Ramón Trejo Noel International Airport, code RGA, has flights from Buenos Aires and lies a few kilometres from the centre. Coaches also link Río Grande with Ushuaia via Tolhuin and, across Chilean Tierra del Fuego, with Punta Arenas. Let Ruta Sur know your arrival time to set the vehicle handover appointment.
When can I fish for sea-run trout in Río Grande?
The season opens in the austral spring and ends in April; from January to March, sea-run trout run up from the Atlantic in numbers and the lodges are often fully booked. Exact dates, catch limits and open stretches are set each year by the province: check them and get your licence before you leave.
When should I book a 4x4 camper in Río Grande?
For a departure between December and March, book several months ahead: the Argentine summer holidays, the peak fishing season and long trips to Ushuaia all coincide, while the offer is limited to one company and six models. The Eminence Camper, the only one sleeping four, goes first. For October, November or April, a few weeks ahead is often enough.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Río Grande
Río Grande reveals a Tierra del Fuego that visitors to Ushuaia often only drive through: a vast steppe divided into century-old estancias, rivers where anglers come from all over the world to fish for sea-run trout, an Atlantic coast of cliffs and tidal flats where migratory birds stop over. Facing the Atlantic, the town also keeps alive the memory of the Falklands (Malvinas) War and of the Salesian mission that preceded it.
In a 4x4 camper, you can take your time linking Cabo Domingo, Viamonte, the Cabo San Pablo wreck and Lakes Yehuin and Fagnano, before crossing over to Ushuaia via Garibaldi Pass. The Ruta Sur depot here rents six 4x4 campers sleeping two to four. With Ushuaia, Río Gallegos and El Calafate among our departure cities, Río Grande can also open a great journey north through Patagonia, best planned between November and March.
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