Pros: The staff in Calama (Miguel) was amazing! Very smooth process, great communication and convenient advises. Pick-up process very fast and easy. The blocked amount in my credit card was about 400 USD.
Cons: Everything was just fine!
2.0 Mediocre
5 Jan 2020
Pros: Staff of the main car company (not National) was friendly.
Cons: Literally doesn't exist. No cars available despite confirmation. Subcontracts the location through another company. Forced to get car from another company last minute. Avoid.
Cons: My insurance (which I purchased separately from Europcar) was not recognized by the company, and I was forced to leave a $3000 deposit (on my credit card) when picking up the car - and I found out that I was also charged another $700 for a reason I ignore! When I returned the car, they insisted that there were additional scratches (which is completely false) and refused to return my deposit. I am now trying to find a way to get my deposit back (and the additional $700 charge, which I don't understand). Terrible experience. Will never use this company again.
Pros: We did not even get a car. and there is no contact details to make a complaint. I will not be using Kayak again. It has cost me money.
Cons: Do not sell car rentals that are not available.
2.0 Mediocre
2 Aug 2016
Not honest
Pros: The price seemed to be cheap.
Cons: The price wasn't real. I was forced to increase the insurance and pay extra or leave a pledge for the total value of the car. They also made me feel insidiously insecure for the car i was renting so i feel renting a more expensive vehicle. The assistant was not kind from my point of view.
6.0 Good
11 Jan 2017
Pros: The car was ok
Cons: The person at the desk didn't speak any English.
4.4 Okay
8 Apr 2019
Pros: Drop of was easy enough drop keys and parking ticket in a box as no one at the counter again. Refund of our 3,000,000 pesos deposit still pending a day later. Avoid this company like the plague.
Cons: We waited 2.5 hours in Calama airport for someone to appear @ counter. Despite booking a large SUV none were available. We were finally given a manual dual cab pickup. Luggage for 5 people had to go in the open tray. A few days later the brakes failed. Lost 1/2 day awaiting new car with 1/2 tank gas
8.0 Excellent
10 May 2019
Cons: A bit slow picking it up. Thankfully there was no line. The agent was pleasant enough but it took 20 minutes.
5.6 Okay
26 May 2019
Pros: The drop off was easy.
Cons: The pick up was terrible. The whole process took 45 minutes. On top of that, a microphone fell out of the lining of the car ceiling and was very off-putting.
2.0 Mediocre
2 Jun 2019
Pros: They referred me to another company
Cons: The company was able to see my reservation in their computer, but were unwilling to honor it. They said that they only hone reservations made more than 48 hours in advance. I am concerned that I will be double charged, as it required a credit card t secure my reservation
3.6 Mediocre
7 Oct 2019
Cons: Waited for the attendant for over 90 minutes bc no one was at the front desk!
2.0 Mediocre
27 Jan 2020
Pros: They tried to force an insurance purchase over a 7000 USD guarantee in case I didn't get it. I did not get the car with this company.
Cons: There is no chance of getting a car without paying their own insurance (expensive obviously).
Cons: Avis was close when arrive to airport so I had to canceled and rent another company
4.0 Okay
7 Jul 2019
Pros: Drop off was horrible. Deposit was ridiculously high
4.4 Okay
6 Feb 2020
Pros: Drop off was easy, although I never received a receipt.
Cons: The staff at the time of rental were rude and unhelpful. It also took over an hour to complete the rental. The car they gave me didn't feel safe -- it was a very high clearance vehicle that fishtailed every time I hit a bump or pothole in the road.
Plonked amidst the wide, Chilean landscape with no other big cities nearby, it is highly recommended to get a hire car when coming to Calama. This will let you get the most out of your trip and explore the city conveniently on your own four wheels. With a hire car you could also discover the beauty of the Reserva Nacional Alto Loa, which is a 2-hour drive to the north, or roam through the breathtaking beauty of the Atacama Desert.
El Loa Airport is about twenty minutes by car from Calama, so it is advised to pick up a hire car directly from there to save the hassle of traveling into the city with alternative transport or expensive cabs – also because there is no public transport going into the city. Head to the agency desks following the signs from the terminal and choose the Avenue Balmaceda for the quickest route to Calama.
Driving in Calama should generally cause no problems for most drivers, but bear in mind that road conditions in Calama and the whole of Chile can be poor and riddled with potholes. It is important to inquire whether the hire insurance covers damages to the underside of the car, and it is also important to reduce your speed and approach damaged streets with caution.
As Calama is not a big city and is located remotely, there are no painstaking rush hours to worry about. However, December to February is the high season for tourists visiting the Atacama Desert, so tourism can mean increased traffic, but there should be no major delays for drivers in general.
25% of our users found a car hire in Calama for £28 or less
Book your car hire in Calama at least 1 week before your trip in order to get a below-average price
FAQs about hiring a car in Calama
Which car hire companies in Calama have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Some car hire companies in Calama which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Budget, Europcar and Avis
How much does it cost to hire a car in Calama?
On average a hire car in Calama costs £42 per day.
What is the most popular car hire in Calama?
Standard (Kia Sportage or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Calama.
Which car hire agencies are at the airport: El Loa airport (CJC)?
Which car hire companies will pick you up at the airport: El Loa airport (CJC)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from El Loa airport to off-airport locations include Econorent, Ace, Budget, Europcar and Avis.
How can I find a car hire near me in Calama?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Calama?
A Standard car hire in Calama costs £40 per day, on average.
How much does a Economy car hire cost in Calama?
A Economy car hire in Calama costs £40 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Calama?
A Mini car hire in Calama costs £25 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Calama?
In Calama, cars are most frequently hired at Avis El Loa Airport (3 miles from city centre).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Calama?
On average hiring a car in Calama costs £294 per week (£42 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Calama?
On average a car hire in Calama costs £1258 per month (£42 per day).
What type of car is recommended for driving in Calama?
As the streets may be in poor condition and some roads are merely dirt tracks, a truck or SUV is highly recommended. With a city car, passengers could feel sick quickly due to the unsteady roads, and there could even be damages to less robust cars. With an SUV, you gain good road grip without having to maneuver a bulky car.
What's the speed limit in Calama?
Within city limits, the maximum speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph) and there are some roads that permit 60 km/h (38 mph). Secondary rural roads allow up to 100 km/h (62 mph), but drivers should also take the road conditions into account. Freeways permit 120 km/h (75 mph) unless posted otherwise.
How are gas prices in Calama?
One liter of petrol in Calama costs around CH$800 ($1.17 USD, which is about $4.68 per US gallon). If you plan trips to one of the surrounding national parks, the Atacama Desert, or the geysers, make sure to fill up the tank beforehand, as petrol stations are a rare sight outside the city limits and you would not want to increase the risk of running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere.
Where are the best places to park in Calama?
Many hotels in Calama have hotels with their own parking lot, so ask your accommodation whether a spot for your hire car is included, as this is the easiest and most convenient way to find a parking space for your car. There are also public parking lots, like the Estacionamiento Progreso Calama, the Estacionamiento Centro, or the Carpe Diem parking lot, that are good options when leaving the hotel for the city.
