Alpacas adventure Rental company category:Standard
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Alpacas Adventure AricaAricaView map
Hiring a campervan in Arica means setting off from the far north of Chile, a few kilometres from Peru, in a city whose climate is so steady that it is nicknamed "the city of eternal spring". At the foot of the Morro, the rocky headland overlooking the port, the Azapa and Lluta valleys slip their olive groves and geoglyphs into the desert, while Route 11 climbs in a single day to Putre, then to Lauca National Park and Lake Chungará. 4 partner companies hand over their campervans and motorhomes here, often in 4x4 versions: Alpacas Adventure, Andes Campers, Camper Travel and Holiday Rent RV.
4 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Arica?
Andes Campers Rental company category:Standard
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Andes Campers AricaAricaView map
Camper Travel Rental company category:Standard
Public rating of the rental company: 4.1/5 (30 reviews)
- Tripadvisor 4.1/5 30 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
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Camper Travel Chile / Pick-up and drop off after individual agreement with the rental companyAricaView map
Holiday Rent RV Rental company category:Premium
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Holiday Rent AricaAricaView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Arica
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €127/day median €252/day | from €158/day median €283/day | from €160/day median €288/day | from €129/day median €255/day |
Daily prices observed on October 20, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 3 rental companies compared. 0% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €2,000.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Arica
1 Azapa, Lluta and the terraces of Putre
- Arica
- San Miguel de Azapa
- Lluta valley
- Poconchile
- Copaquilla
- Putre
- Arica
On the edge of Arica, the San Miguel de Azapa archaeological museum displays the Chinchorro mummies, the oldest artificial mummies known, among the olive trees of the Azapa valley. Back on the coast, Route 11 climbs the Lluta valley and its geoglyphs of llama caravans, passes the white church of Poconchile and the pre-Hispanic fortress of Copaquilla before Putre, an Aymara village surrounded by farmed terraces.
- Distance
- about 350 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
2 Lauca, Las Vicuñas and the Salar de Surire
- Arica
- Putre
- Parinacota
- Lake Chungará
- Guallatire
- Salar de Surire
- Putre
- Arica
Beyond Putre, Route 11 reaches the hamlet of Parinacota and its colonial church, then the Cotacotani lagoons and Lake Chungará, a mirror for the Parinacota and Pomerape volcanoes. You head south again on the Guallatire track, through Las Vicuñas National Reserve, to the Salar de Surire, its flamingos and the Polloquere hot springs. These are isolated tracks with no supplies: carry fuel, water and food for the whole loop.
- Distance
- about 550 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Well-heated 4x4 camper
3 One way to Iquique through the quebradas
- Arica
- Cuya
- Chiza
- Tiliviche
- Pisagua
- Iquique
Heading south, the Pan-American Highway crosses a series of deep canyons cut into the desert: the Camarones quebrada at Cuya, then the geoglyphs of Chiza and those of Tiliviche, drawn on a hillside above an old English cemetery from the nitrate era. A detour leads to Pisagua, an almost abandoned port at the foot of the cliff, with its theatre and clock, before reaching Iquique, where the vehicle can be returned.
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons
When to go in Arica?
Best time
Southern autumn and spring
April to May, September to November
highs 19 to 23 °C, lows 13 to 17 °C
In April and May, then from September to November, Arica keeps warm days and a sea between 17 and 20 °C, while the altiplano, outside the storm season, offers clear skies over the Lauca volcanoes. Nights up there remain freezing, but the tracks to Surire are dry and vicuñas are easy to spot at the edge of the bofedales, the high-altitude wetlands.
High season
Southern summer, December to March
December to March
highs 24 to 27 °C, lows 18 to 21 °C
This is the beach season: the sea reaches 22 °C in February and the beaches of La Lisera and Chinchorro fill up during the Chilean holidays, while the Andean Carnival sends thousands of dancers through the streets in February. On the high plateaus, the Bolivian winter brings afternoon showers that can cut Route 11 or the Surire tracks.
Winter
Southern winter, June to August
June to August
highs 18 to 19 °C, lows 13 to 14 °C
On the coast, winter means grey mornings, a cooler sea and highs close to 18 °C. At altitude, the night frost is severe around Parinacota, the shores of Lake Chungará sometimes ice over and a snowfall can briefly close the road to Bolivia: heating and winter sleeping bags are a must.
Climate in Arica, month by month
Most pleasant months: All year round.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 °C | 20 °C | 4 mm | 12 h/day | 20 °C |
| Feb | 27 °C | 21 °C | 6 mm | 12 h/day | 22 °C |
| Mar | 26 °C | 20 °C | 1 mm | 12 h/day | 21 °C |
| Apr | 23 °C | 17 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day | 20 °C |
| May | 21 °C | 15 °C | 3 mm | 11 h/day | 19 °C |
| Jun | 19 °C | 14 °C | 5 mm | 10 h/day | 18 °C |
| Jul | 18 °C | 13 °C | 6 mm | 10 h/day | 17 °C |
| Aug | 18 °C | 13 °C | 3 mm | 11 h/day | 17 °C |
| Sep | 19 °C | 13 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day | 17 °C |
| Oct | 20 °C | 14 °C | 1 mm | 12 h/day | 18 °C |
| Nov | 22 °C | 16 °C | 1 mm | 13 h/day | 19 °C |
| Dec | 24 °C | 18 °C | 1 mm | 13 h/day | 19 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Mileage counted from Arica
None of the offers observed in Arica included unlimited mileage. Yet the round trip to Lake Chungará alone is well over 350 km, and the Surire loop or a one-way drive to Iquique quickly push up the counter: check, in each offer, how many kilometres are included and the rate charged beyond them.
The trucks on Route 11
Route 11 is the main corridor between the port of Arica and La Paz: long convoys of Bolivian trucks crawl up the hairpin bends above the Lluta valley. Only overtake with wide visibility, drive in daylight and, on the long descent to the coast, stay in a low gear so the brakes do not overheat.
The Cuya checkpoint heading south
When leaving the region on the Pan-American Highway, every vehicle stops at the Cuya checkpoint, on the edge of the Camarones quebrada, where the agricultural service inspects fruit, vegetables and fresh produce, and customs may check the goods carried. Empty the fridge of banned products before the barrier and have the vehicle documents ready.
The beaches south of the Morro
For a first evening near the centre, the coast road south of the Morro serves the beaches of La Lisera, El Laucho and Corazones. Choose a campsite or a guarded car park, leave nothing visible in the cab and avoid spending the night in isolated seafront car parks, which are quiet once darkness falls.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Arica
Where can I pick up a campervan in Arica?
Four partner companies operate in Arica: Alpacas Adventure, Andes Campers and Holiday Rent RV each have a depot there, while Camper Travel agrees with you on where the vehicle is handed over and returned. The exact location is sent with your confirmation; ask the company whether a handover outside opening hours can be arranged.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Arica?
Across 56 offers from three companies observed in October 2026 for a 15-day hire, the lowest rate is €127 per day, mandatory fees included, for a July departure, in the middle of the southern winter. It rises to €129 in April, €158 in October and €160 in January, and median prices range from €252 to €288 per day depending on the season. Only a search with your dates gives the price you can actually book.
Can I return the vehicle in Iquique or San Pedro de Atacama?
Yes: our partners' departure cities line the whole north of the country, from Iquique to Copiapó via Calama, San Pedro de Atacama and Antofagasta, and reach as far south as Valparaíso, more than 1,600 km away as the crow flies. Crossing the Atacama Desert this way spares you the drive back: enter the destination city when you search, and the offers shown then include any fees.
Do I need a 4x4 for Lauca National Park?
Not for the main sights: Route 11 is paved all the way to Lake Chungará and the Bolivian border. A 4x4 becomes useful on the tracks of Las Vicuñas National Reserve, towards Guallatire and the Salar de Surire. Most of the models observed in Arica are in fact 4x4s, such as the Andino Camper, the Altiplano Camper Comfort or the Maxus T60 pick-up campers.
How can I avoid altitude sickness on the way to Lake Chungará?
Arica is at sea level and Lake Chungará above 4,500 metres: covering that gap in a single day exposes you to soroche, altitude sickness. Spend one or two nights in Putre, already at around 3,500 metres, before going up to the park, drink plenty of water, eat light and go back down if headaches or breathlessness persist.
Can I cross into Peru or Bolivia from Arica?
The Chacalluta border post, north of the city, opens the road to Tacna in Peru, and Route 11 leads to the Chungará pass, facing Tambo Quemado in Bolivia. Many contracts, however, restrict driving to Chile: if you plan to cross a border, ask when booking whether the company provides the vehicle exit authorisation and insurance cover for that country.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Arica with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
They have always responded quickly to all my requests and their website is very functional!
G.
Chile · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
Fast service
K.
Chile · Mar 2025
Trustpilot
The booking process is very smooth. I had very good communication with the Cooldrive team. As for the follow-up, it will be seen on site during the vehicle pickup.
J.
Chile · Feb 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Arica
How do I get to Arica from Chacalluta airport?
Chacalluta airport, very close to the Peruvian border, lies north of the city; the Pan-American Highway links it to the centre in about twenty minutes. Taxis and shared transfers meet the flights, most of which arrive from Santiago. Agree with your rental company on the time and place of the vehicle handover, especially for a late landing.
What papers should I bring to drive in Chile?
Traffic drives on the right, and most foreign drivers must show an international driving permit in addition to their national licence. Keep your passport and the vehicle documents in the glovebox: the carabineros ask for them at checkpoints, which are frequent near the Peruvian border. Each company also sets its own minimum age and required years of driving.
How high is the excess in Arica?
In the offers observed in Arica in October 2026, the median excess is €2,000: the amount the company can charge you after a scrape or a breakage. On the altiplano tracks, gravel and potholes are hard on windscreens and tyres: before leaving the depot, read what the included insurance covers and ask whether an excess reduction is available.
Where can I stop for the night on the way to Lauca National Park?
Putre is the most practical stop, with a few places to stay, grocery shops and streets sheltered from the wind for the night. In Lauca National Park and Las Vicuñas National Reserve, managed by CONAF, ask at the ranger posts in Parinacota or at Lake Chungará about authorised spots, and never park on the bofedales, which are very fragile.
When should I book a campervan in Arica?
With only four companies, 4x4 vehicles go quickly for January and February, at the height of the Chilean summer holidays, and for July: book several months ahead for those periods. For the other months, a few weeks in advance is often enough, and the search instantly shows the models still available for your dates.
What should I see in Arica before hitting the road?
Climb to the top of the Morro for the view over the port and its military museum, then walk down to the San Marcos cathedral, whose metal structure came from Gustave Eiffel's workshops, and the old customs house next door. The Poblado Artesanal recreates an altiplano village, and experienced surfers come to take on the El Gringo wave, near Alacrán island.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Arica
Arica brings together rare assets for a motorhome trip: a mild coast all year round, farming valleys where thousand-year-old cultures still show through and, a day's drive away, one of the most spectacular high-altitude landscapes in the Andes, with snow-capped volcanoes, vicuñas and lagoons. It can all be explored without long transfers: the region's main sights lie within a few hundred kilometres of the city.
Four partner companies, Alpacas Adventure, Andes Campers, Camper Travel and Holiday Rent RV, offer mostly 4x4 vehicles here, from pick-up campers to SUVs with roof tents, with prices observed from €127 per day in October 2026. The vehicle can also be returned further south, in Antofagasta, Calama, Iquique or San Pedro de Atacama. As for the almost unchanging coastal climate, it allows a departure in any month: only the high-altitude programme changes with the calendar.