Alpacas adventure Rental company category:Standard
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Alpacas Adventure Punta ArenasPunta ArenasView map
Hiring a campervan in Punta Arenas puts you on the shores of the Strait of Magellan, in the capital of the Magallanes region, at the far south of Chilean Patagonia. Torres del Paine via Puerto Natales, Tierra del Fuego across the strait, the Magellanic penguin colonies and even the road to Ushuaia all open up from this windswept port city. 6 partner companies operate here: Alpacas adventure, Andes Campers, Camper Travel, Holiday Rent RV, Kawascars Camper Rentals and Ruta Sur.
Most of the models on offer are 4x4 camper vans and pick-up campers, built for gravel roads and long stretches across the pampa.
6 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Punta Arenas?
Andes Campers Rental company category:Standard
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Andes Campers Punta ArenasPunta ArenasView 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.
Holiday Rent RV Rental company category:Premium
Kawascars Camper Rentals Rental company category:Economy
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Kawacars Camper RentalsEnrique Abello Parcela 86, Punta ArenasView map
Ruta Sur Rental company category:Standard
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Ruta Sur Punta ArenasPunta ArenasView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Punta Arenas
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €94/day median €240/day | from €94/day median €266/day | from €138/day median €269/day | from €95/day median €242/day |
Daily prices observed on October 20, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 4 rental companies compared. 7% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €2,000.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Punta Arenas
1 Torres del Paine via Puerto Natales
- Punta Arenas
- Puerto Natales
- Milodon Cave
- Torres del Paine
- Grey Lake
- Puerto Natales
- Punta Arenas
The paved Ruta 9 heads north across the pampa and its estancias to Puerto Natales, on the Última Esperanza fjord, the last town to refuel and stock up. After the Milodon Cave, the gravel roads of Torres del Paine National Park lead to lakes Pehoé and Nordenskjöld, Grey Glacier and the foot of the granite towers. Plan several nights in the park to go hiking.
- Distance
- about 850 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper van or pick-up camper
2 Tierra del Fuego via Porvenir and Pali Aike
- Punta Arenas
- Porvenir
- Useless Bay
- Cerro Sombrero
- Primera Angostura
- Pali Aike National Park
- Punta Arenas
The ferry crosses the Strait of Magellan to Porvenir, a small port with colourful houses in Chilean Tierra del Fuego. Gravel roads follow Useless Bay, where a king penguin colony can be watched from a dedicated site, then reach Cerro Sombrero. The way back takes the shorter Primera Angostura ferry, then passes the volcanic craters of Pali Aike National Park, near the Argentine border.
- Distance
- about 550 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper van or pick-up camper
3 Magellanic penguins and the end of the southern road
- Punta Arenas
- Seno Otway
- Punta Arenas
- Agua Fresca
- Fuerte Bulnes
- San Juan
- Punta Arenas
North-west of the city, a gravel road leads to Seno Otway, where a Magellanic penguin colony nests from roughly October to March; Magdalena Island, another colony, is reached by boat from the port. To the south, the coastal road follows the strait to Fuerte Bulnes and Puerto del Hambre, then ends near San Juan, starting point of the trail to Cape Froward, the southernmost tip of the mainland.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All camper vans and pick-up campers
Weather and seasons
When to go in Punta Arenas?
Best time
Southern spring and autumn
March to April, October to November
highs 9 to 12 °C, lows 4 to 6 °C
October and November see the penguins return to the coast and the days lengthen quickly, while March and April turn the lenga forests around Torres del Paine red, with wind often calmer than in high summer. Visitor numbers remain moderate, but the cool nights call for a heated vehicle.
High season
The southern summer, December to February
December to February
highs 12 to 14 °C, lows 6 to 7 °C
This is peak season for Torres del Paine and the penguin colonies: the days are very long and all services are open, but the westerly wind blows at its strongest and temperatures rarely go beyond those of a cool spring. Book your vehicle and campsite pitches in the park early, as they are in high demand in January.
Winter
The southern winter, May to September
May to September
highs 4 to 7 °C, lows 0 to 3 °C
Days get much shorter, snow and ice affect Ruta 9 and the gravel roads of Torres del Paine, and some campsites close. The park stays open and very quiet, and winter is renowned for puma sightings. Only set off with a heated vehicle equipped for snow, and keep your itinerary flexible.
Climate in Punta Arenas, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13 °C | 7 °C | 65 mm | 11 h/day | 10 °C |
| Feb | 14 °C | 7 °C | 68 mm | 9 h/day | 10 °C |
| Mar | 12 °C | 6 °C | 75 mm | 8 h/day | 9 °C |
| Apr | 9 °C | 4 °C | 77 mm | 6 h/day | 8 °C |
| May | 7 °C | 3 °C | 62 mm | 5 h/day | 7 °C |
| Jun | 5 °C | 1 °C | 53 mm | 4 h/day | 6 °C |
| Jul | 4 °C | 0 °C | 58 mm | 4 h/day | 6 °C |
| Aug | 5 °C | 1 °C | 59 mm | 6 h/day | 5 °C |
| Sep | 7 °C | 2 °C | 41 mm | 7 h/day | 6 °C |
| Oct | 9 °C | 4 °C | 61 mm | 9 h/day | 6 °C |
| Nov | 11 °C | 5 °C | 72 mm | 11 h/day | 7 °C |
| Dec | 12 °C | 6 °C | 77 mm | 11 h/day | 9 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
The wind of the strait
The westerly wind sweeping the Strait of Magellan sometimes blows at gale force in spring and summer, and it hits tall vehicles side-on on Ruta 9 as well as on the pampa of Tierra del Fuego. Hold doors with both hands when opening them, park nose into the wind and wait for a lull, often in the evening, rather than driving through the gusts.
The two ferries to Tierra del Fuego
The Porvenir ferry leaves from the Tres Puentes terminal, north of the city, for a crossing of about two hours, with timetables that vary from day to day: book a space for the vehicle. The Primera Angostura ferry, about 170 km away by road, crosses in around twenty minutes with frequent sailings. Both can be suspended in strong winds.
Stocking up in the free zone
Punta Arenas is home to the Zona Franca, a large duty-free shopping area, and well-stocked supermarkets: it is the best place to get equipped before hitting the road. After that, petrol stations become scarce, especially in Tierra del Fuego, where Porvenir and Cerro Sombrero are the main options. Always leave with a full tank and a supply of drinking water.
Agricultural checks at the border
Chile carries out strict agricultural checks every time you enter the country, including on the way back from Argentina: fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products and honey are banned or must be declared, and the vehicle may be searched. Empty the fridge before the border and fill in the declaration honestly, or you risk a fine.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Punta Arenas
Where can I pick up a campervan in Punta Arenas?
Six partner companies welcome you at seven depots. Camper Travel has two, including one in town on the José de Vargas y Ponce passage; Holiday Rent RV is based in Agua Fresca, on the coastal road south of the city, and Kawascars Camper Rentals on a plot on Enrique Abello street. The exact address of Alpacas adventure, Andes Campers and Ruta Sur is given in your confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Punta Arenas?
Our searches in October 2026, covering 60 offers from four rental companies with mandatory fees included, found camper vans from €94 per day. The median ranges from €240 per day for a July departure to €269 in January, when the lowest price rises to €138. Run a search with your dates to get real prices.
Can I drive to El Calafate with a campervan hired in Punta Arenas?
Yes, if the rental company allows Argentina: it then prepares a notarised authorisation for the vehicle to leave the country and insurance valid across the border, usually for an extra fee and with a few days' notice. The most direct route goes via Puerto Natales and the Cerro Castillo border post, about 550 km to El Calafate.
Can I reach Ushuaia from Punta Arenas?
Yes, in about 600 km: the Primera Angostura ferry, the roads and gravel tracks of Chilean Tierra del Fuego, the San Sebastián border, then Río Grande and the Garibaldi Pass to Ushuaia, on the Argentine side. The rental company's written consent is essential to take the vehicle out of Chile. Allow at least two days each way, more if the wind delays the crossing.
Do I need a 4x4 to travel from Punta Arenas?
Not to reach Puerto Natales, on a fully paved road. A 4x4 is reassuring, however, on the ripio, the gravel roads of Torres del Paine and Tierra del Fuego, muddy after rain and snowy in winter. Most of the models observed are 4x4s: Andino Camper, Calafate Camper, Patagonia Camper, Maxus T60 pick-up with camper unit or Chiloé Camper, which sleeps four.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Punta Arenas with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Communication has been good with prompt replies to any queries we have had.
P.
Chile · Dec 2024
Trustpilot
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
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Punta Arenas
What licence do I need to drive a campervan in Chile?
A national car licence is fine for the models offered here, all of which are light vehicles. Chile in principle requires foreign drivers to carry an international driving permit alongside it, as does Argentina if you cross the border: get one before you leave. The minimum age and number of years of driving required vary by company and are shown in the offer conditions.
Where can I stay overnight with a campervan around Punta Arenas?
Campsites are limited around the city, but you will find some in Puerto Natales, in Tierra del Fuego and in Torres del Paine, where overnight stays are only allowed at designated campsites. Elsewhere on the pampa, wild camping is often tolerated away from the fenced land of the estancias: check local rules and look for a slope or hill to shelter from the wind.
Is mileage unlimited?
Rarely: only 7% of the offers observed in October 2026 included unlimited mileage. A return trip to Torres del Paine alone exceeds 800 km, not counting detours to Tierra del Fuego or Argentina. Compare the number of kilometres included and the price per extra kilometre before choosing an offer.
What excess should I expect in case of damage?
The median excess of the offers observed in October 2026 is €2,000. On gravel roads, flying stones hit windscreens and headlights, and a door torn off by a gust is nothing unusual here: read what the insurance covers and excludes, check the deposit amount and have every existing mark noted on the pick-up inspection report.
How do I get from Punta Arenas airport to the depots?
Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo airport lies about twenty kilometres north of the centre, along Ruta 9. Camper Travel has a handover point linked to the airport; for the other companies, plan a taxi or transfer, longer to reach Agua Fresca, on the other side of the city. Give your flight number to the rental company.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is the largest city in Chilean Patagonia, with flights to Santiago, and the most logical starting point for combining Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego and the Strait of Magellan in a single trip. In a campervan, you follow the rhythm of the sunny spells and sleep near the penguin colonies or facing the park's lakes, without depending on minibus tours.
Six partner companies offer mostly 4x4 camper vans and pick-up campers here, with prices observed from €94 per day in October 2026. Puerto Natales, Coyhaique, Balmaceda and Puerto Montt are also among our departure cities, which opens up, if the company offers it, long one-way trips north via Argentina and the Carretera Austral. Aim preferably for October to April, when the days are long.
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