How to find a cheap car hire deal in Desierto de Atacama (CPO)
In search of a cheap Desierto de Atacama rental car? With prices averaging 84 € a day, your trip is already off to a wallet-friendly start. Whether you're after a small ride, a road trip-ready SUV, or something in between, we round up all the best offers to get you real value.
Daily rental prices at Desierto de Atacama start from just 22 €.
Planning to spend longer in Copiapo? Book a weekly rental from 152 € and fit more into your itinerary.
To get the cheapest price, book your CPO car hire around two weeks in advance.
Check out the offers from Euro Rent-a-Car, Euro and MITTA RENT A CAR. These are some of the better-known providers at Desierto de Atacama.
Whether you go with Euro Rent-a-Car or a different supplier, be sure to check the coverage on your Desierto de Atacama car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others charge extra for it.
Consider getting a one-way rental. You might be able to land a bargain if the provider needs to shift vehicles between branches. Find the best available rates for a car for hire in CPO by selecting 'Return car to a different location.'
Avoid those steep refueling fees by booking a car hire in Desierto de Atacama with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Want to explore without stressing about how many miles you rack up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra costs.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average 47 € a day.
Next in line, this provider offers daily rates of around 58 €.
The third option also performs well on price. Drive off in one of their rentals for roughly 93 € a day.
If you can't decide which ride is right for you, choose something from the Fullsize rental category. It's the most commonly booked car type at CPO.
Compare car hire types from Desierto de Atacama (CPO)
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap Desierto de Atacama rental car makes getting around affordable and hassle-free. These zippy, fuel-efficient cars are excellent for short trips and city driving.
Medium: A smart pick when you want something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg room compared to smaller options.
Large: Offering greater driving comfort and extra tech features, this CPO car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier rear seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and take everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV goes wherever you do. It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for backroads, highways, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also come with extra space and improved safety features.
Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Desierto de Atacama is built to handle heavier loads and bigger groups. They're spacious, functional, and ready for whatever task you throw at it.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your CPO car hire is damaged or stolen. While not mandatory, it helps cover you in a tough spot. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you understand exactly what's offered.
From navigation systems to mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, the right extras can make all the difference. Weigh up which features could make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Desierto de Atacama.
Good to know
Check each supplier's age requirements before booking your car rental in Chile. Rules can vary, and added fees or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' filter and enter your age to browse your options.
Add a car seat to your CPO car rental booking if you're planning to travel with the kids. Requirements change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, weight and size is always the safest option.
Bring the right documents and keep pick-up quick and easy. You'll generally need your physical driver's licence (no screenshots) and a second photo ID. Also keep a credit card handy to cover the required excess. If extra requirements apply, your booking will list them.
If it's your first time driving in Chile, don't forget that traffic here sticks to the right side of the road.
Make sure you follow the local speed limits. In general that's around 45kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
In Chile, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.03%. If you intend to have a few drinks, pass the keys to someone else or arrange a taxi or ride-share instead.
Drive smarter from the start
The real trip begins once you've picked up the keys to your CPO car hire. You have the freedom to roam wherever the road takes you, but if you're headed to central Copiapo, it's about 48 kilometres away to the east.
Allow roughly 20 minutes to get from Desierto de Atacama to the city centre during peak travel times.
Aim to travel outside high-traffic periods for a faster run. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
You can also grab a car hire in Copiapo. If you don't need a ride right away, hold off until you're in the city and avoid paying for unused rental days.
Hit the road: Where to drive from Desierto de Atacama (CPO)
Before you move on, do some sightseeing around Copiapo first. Popular attractions like Laguna Verde and San Jose Mine (Los 33) are a great opening act for your trip.
There's plenty of road left if you're up for more. Take off to Vicuña, around 306 kilometres south of CPO. From Centro Astronomico Alfa Aldea to Museo Entomologico de Vicuna, it'll round out your trip nicely.
