Alpacas adventure Rental company category:Standard
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Avenida las Condes 14.191 of 303, 7591538 Las Condes, SantiagoView map
Hiring a campervan in Santiago, Chile puts the Andes an hour's drive away and the Pacific less than two hours away. From the Chilean capital you can reach the vineyards of Casablanca and Colchagua, the colourful cerros of Valparaíso and the Cajón del Maipo canyon, then, via the Pan-American Highway, the volcanoes and lakes of the south or the Atacama Desert in the north. 6 partner companies hand over their vehicles here: Alpacas Adventure, Andes Campers, Camper Travel, Holiday Rent RV, Kawascars Camper Rentals and Ruta Sur.
Their fleets favour 4x4 campers, from Maxus T60 pick-ups with a camper cab to Altiplano and Patagonia vans, designed for Chilean gravel roads.
6 rental partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Santiago de Chile?
Andes Campers Rental company category:Standard
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Antonia Prado 283, - Recoleta, Región Metropolitana, ChileView 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 ChileSanta Clementina 100, Región Metropolitana Chile, Colina, Santiago de ChileView map
Holiday Rent RV Rental company category:Premium
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HolidayRentSanta Marta de Liray parcela 15-2 (corner San Miguel), Colina, Region MetropolitanaView map
Kawascars Camper Rentals Rental company category:Economy
Ruta Sur Rental company category:Standard
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Ruta Sur Santiago de ChileSantiago de ChileView map
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Santiago de Chile
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €80/day median €135/day | from €86/day median €167/day | from €88/day median €180/day | from €81/day median €163/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 Santiago de Chile
1 Casablanca, Valparaíso and the central coast
- Santiago
- Casablanca Valley
- Isla Negra
- Valparaíso
- Viña del Mar
- Concón
- Zapallar
- Santiago
Route 68 first crosses the Casablanca Valley, known for its white wines and its wineries open for tastings along the road. On the coast, Isla Negra is home to one of Pablo Neruda's houses, then Valparaíso stacks its colourful houses on dozens of cerros: park the vehicle down below and ride the funiculars up, as the lanes are steep and narrow. Viña del Mar, Concón and Zapallar bay complete the loop.
- Distance
- about 400 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Cajón del Maipo, Colchagua and Pichilemu
- Santiago
- San José de Maipo
- El Yeso Reservoir
- Baños Morales
- Pirque
- Santa Cruz
- Pichilemu
- Santiago
To the south-east, the Cajón del Maipo follows the Maipo river valley via San José de Maipo up to the turquoise El Yeso reservoir, at the end of a gravel track, and the thermal baths of Baños Morales. You come back down via Pirque and its wine estates before heading to Santa Cruz, heart of the Colchagua Valley and its Carménère, then to the waves of Pichilemu, Chile's surf capital.
- Distance
- about 700 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper or campervan
3 Route 5 to the Lake District
- Santiago
- Talca
- Salto del Laja
- Temuco
- Pucón
- Valdivia
- Puerto Varas
Route 5, the tolled Pan-American Highway, runs south through the Central Valley. After Talca, gateway to the Maule vineyards, the Salto del Laja falls lead into Araucanía: Temuco, then Pucón at the foot of Villarrica volcano. Valdivia, with its riverside market and Spanish forts, and Puerto Varas facing Osorno volcano complete this one-way trip to towns where our partners also have depots.
- Distance
- about 1,200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
Weather and seasons
When to go in Santiago de Chile?
Best time
Southern spring and autumn
March to May, September to November
highs 19 to 28 °C, lows 8 to 14 °C
The ideal seasons to set off from Santiago, in a hemisphere where they are reversed compared with the north: mild days, little rain and clear roads. March and April are harvest time in the Casablanca and Colchagua valleys; in October and November the snow retreats from the Andean passes and the south of the country emerges from winter.
High season
Summer, December to February
December to February
highs 29 to 30 °C, lows 14 to 16 °C
Dry heat, 13 hours of sunshine a day and almost no rain: the southern summer is the best time to head down to the lakes and Patagonia. January and February are also the Chilean summer holidays: the beaches of the central coast and the campsites of the south are packed, while the Santiago basin becomes stifling in the afternoon.
Winter
Winter, June to August
June to August
highs 15 to 16 °C, lows 6 to 7 °C
The only truly rainy time of year in Santiago, with cool nights and snow on the nearby Andes: it is the season of the Farellones, Valle Nevado and Portillo ski resorts. Days often stay clear between two fronts, and winter is also a good time to head north to the Atacama Desert, spared by the rain.
Climate in Santiago de Chile, month by month
Most pleasant months: September to May.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30 °C | 16 °C | 9 mm | 13 h/day |
| Feb | 30 °C | 16 °C | 5 mm | 13 h/day |
| Mar | 28 °C | 14 °C | 4 mm | 12 h/day |
| Apr | 23 °C | 12 °C | 33 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 19 °C | 9 °C | 44 mm | 8 h/day |
| Jun | 15 °C | 7 °C | 87 mm | 7 h/day |
| Jul | 15 °C | 6 °C | 50 mm | 8 h/day |
| Aug | 16 °C | 7 °C | 63 mm | 8 h/day |
| Sep | 19 °C | 8 °C | 32 mm | 9 h/day |
| Oct | 22 °C | 10 °C | 26 mm | 11 h/day |
| Nov | 26 °C | 12 °C | 11 mm | 12 h/day |
| Dec | 29 °C | 14 °C | 7 mm | 13 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Electronic tolls on urban motorways
Santiago's urban motorways, such as the Costanera Norte, the Autopista Central or the Vespucio, have no toll booths: tolls are charged through an electronic tag, the TAG, read as you pass. Ask the rental company whether the vehicle is fitted with one and how the passages will be charged to you; without a tag, a day pass must be bought online, or you risk a fine.
On the main intercity roads, such as Route 5 or Route 68, most tolls are still paid at toll booths.
Winter traffic restrictions
In winter, pollution builds up in the Santiago basin and the authorities declare environmental alert or pre-emergency episodes, during which traffic may be restricted according to the last digit of the number plate. Check the announcements the day before a departure or return in the metropolitan area and find out about the rules in force.
Avoid Friday evening departures
Roads out of Santiago are jammed on Friday evenings and roads back in on Sunday afternoons, especially on long weekends extended by a public holiday: Route 68 to Valparaíso and Route 5 to the south then form long tailbacks. Pick up the vehicle on a weekday morning and plan your return before the Sunday rush.
Sleeping in a campervan in Chile
Wild camping is not banned everywhere in Chile, but it is in national parks and reserves outside designated sites, and many coastal municipalities ban it on their beaches. Around Santiago, the campsites of the Cajón del Maipo and the coast remain the safest options; elsewhere, check the local rules.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Santiago de Chile
Where can I pick up a campervan in Santiago, Chile?
Six partner companies have eight depots: Alpacas Adventure in Las Condes, Andes Campers in Recoleta, Kawascars Camper Rentals in Ñuñoa, in Lo Barnechea and at a third address in the city, Ruta Sur in Santiago, and Camper Travel and Holiday Rent RV in Colina, north of the metropolitan area, about thirty kilometres from the centre. The exact address is in your confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Santiago, Chile?
Our searches in October 2026, covering 60 offers from 4 rental companies for 15-day rentals, found campervans and camper vans from €80 per day, mandatory fees included. The median ranges from €135 per day for a July departure, in the depths of the southern winter, to €180 for a January departure, and from €163 to €167 in spring and autumn. Run a search with your dates for real prices.
Can I drive to Argentina with a campervan hired in Santiago?
Yes, if the rental company agrees: it must provide an authorisation to leave the country in the drivers' names and insurance valid in Argentina, to be requested when booking. The Los Libertadores pass, towards Mendoza, crosses the Andes at high altitude and often closes after snowfall. On the way back, Chilean agricultural control bans bringing in fresh fruit, meat or dairy products.
Can I drive to the Atacama Desert from Santiago?
Yes, but it is a long journey: San Pedro de Atacama is about 1,650 km away via Route 5 North, through La Serena and Copiapó. Allow two to three weeks for the round trip, fill up at every station, as they are far apart in the desert, and acclimatise to the altitude before going up to the El Tatio geysers or the altiplano lagoons. Also check that the rental company allows these tracks.
Can I do a one-way trip from Santiago?
Our partners also start from Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, on the coast, and from Temuco, Pucón, Valdivia and Puerto Varas, in the south. A one-way trip to the Lake District saves you from driving more than 1,000 km of Route 5 back. Any fees are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter the return city when searching.
Do I need a 4x4 to travel from Santiago?
Not for the coast, the wine valleys or Route 5 to the south, all fully paved. A 4x4 is reassuring on the El Yeso track, the gravel roads of the south or the altiplano. Most of the models observed are 4x4s: Altiplano, Andino, Calafate, Pucon or Patagonia Camper and Maxus T60 pick-ups with a camper cab; the Chiloé Camper 4x4 sleeps four and the MG ZS Rooftent has a roof tent.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Santiago de Chile 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
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
So far so good!
E.
Chile · Nov 2024
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Santiago, Chile
What licence do I need to drive in Chile?
For a tourist stay, a national licence together with an international driving permit is the recommended combination in Chile, and strongly advised for crossing into Argentina. Traffic drives on the right. Each rental company sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving, shown in the offer conditions. Carabineros checks are frequent: keep your licence and vehicle papers to hand.
Is mileage unlimited?
Only 7% of the offers observed in October 2026 included unlimited mileage. Yet Chilean distances are huge: the southern lakes or the Atacama Desert quickly add up to several thousand kilometres. Compare the included mileage allowance and the price per extra kilometre of each offer before choosing, especially for a long tour or a one-way trip.
What excess should I expect in case of damage?
The median excess of the offers observed is €2,000. On the gravel tracks of the Cajón del Maipo or the south, flying stones damage windscreens, headlights and sills, and some damage, such as to tyres or the underbody, may be excluded from the basic insurance. Read the exclusions of each offer and consider an excess reduction.
How do I get to the depots from Santiago airport?
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is in Pudahuel, west of the city, linked to the centre and Las Condes by the Costanera Norte motorway. The depots in Colina, to the north, mean a longer ride by taxi or with a private driver. Tell the rental company your flight's arrival time to arrange the vehicle handover appointment.
When should I book a campervan in Santiago, Chile?
Several months ahead for January and February, the Chilean summer holidays, when 4x4 campervans go first, as well as for Christmas, New Year and the Fiestas Patrias week, around 18 September. For the southern winter or autumn, a few weeks are often enough, with a wider choice of models.
Do I need snow chains around Santiago in winter?
From June to September, the winding road to the Farellones and Valle Nevado resorts, the upper Cajón del Maipo and the Los Libertadores pass may require chains, checked by the carabineros. Ask the rental company whether chains are provided, check that your contract allows these mountain roads and check road conditions before setting off.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Santiago, Chile
Santiago, Chile sits at the centre of a country stretched along the Andes: few cities give such quick access to such varied landscapes. Snow-capped peaks tower over the city, Valparaíso and the Pacific are less than two hours away, the wine valleys open up to the south and west, and the Pan-American Highway runs north to the Atacama Desert and south to the volcanoes and lakes.
Six partner companies mainly offer campervans and 4x4 campers here, with prices observed from €80 per day in October 2026. Temuco, Pucón, Valdivia and Puerto Varas, other departure cities of our partners, make long one-way trips to the south possible. Travellers who left Santiago with us give it an average rating of 5 out of 5, and the climate suits travelling from September to May.