Car Hire at Arequipa Train Station

Your home country's valid licence is technically accepted in Peru, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. Rental agencies often require the IDP alongside your national licence, and police checkpoints are common outside Arequipa. The IDP costs around £15-20 and is valid for one year. Without it, you risk being turned away at the rental desk or facing fines of up to 400 PEN (£85) at checkpoints.

Arequipa sits at 2,325 metres above sea level, causing noticeable engine performance drop—acceleration feels sluggish and brakes require longer stopping distances. Petrol engines suffer roughly 15-20% power loss compared to sea level. If driving to Colca Canyon (3,270m) or towards the coast, acclimatise your engine by avoiding heavy loads and excessive revs for the first 20 minutes. Most rental companies provide naturally aspirated engines suited to local conditions; turbocharged models handle altitude better.

The Pan-American Highway (PE-1S) south from Arequipa is dual carriageway and well-maintained for the first 120km to Camana. Beyond that, the road to Colca Canyon becomes single-lane mountain road with sharp hairpin bends, unpaved sections, and occasional livestock. The 165km journey takes 3.5-4 hours. Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps offline) as mobile signal is patchy. Avoid night driving entirely—unlit vehicles, pedestrians, and animals on the road create serious hazards.

Arequipa's historic city centre (Plaza de Armas) has one-way streets and chaotic traffic, but driving is manageable with patience. Parking costs 3-5 PEN (£0.60-1) per hour in supervised lots; street parking with attendes typically 2-3 PEN (£0.40-0.60). Never leave valuables visible in the car—window smash-and-grab occurs near tourist areas. Hotel parking is generally secure; ask your accommodation to arrange a trusted car park rather than using street parking overnight.

Petrol (gasolina) is universally available in 84-octane (regular) and 90-octane (premium) grades—most rental cars run on 84. Diesel is less common outside major cities. Peru uses a full-to-full fuel policy: you receive the car with a full tank and must return it full. Fuel costs approximately 14-16 PEN per litre (£3-3.40 per gallon). Filling stations are plentiful along the Pan-American Highway but scarce in rural areas—always maintain at least half a tank when heading towards Colca Canyon or the coast.

The minimum age to rent is typically 21 years, with drivers under 25 subject to a young driver surcharge of approximately 30-50 PEN (£6-10) per day. Some agencies charge higher—Budget and Avis often add £12-15 daily for drivers aged 21-24. There is no upper age limit, though drivers over 70 may face difficulty with insurance coverage. Always check rental terms carefully, as some agencies in Arequipa impose minimum age of 23 for 4WD vehicles required for canyon routes.