For our trip to Chile in November, we rented a car from Europcar for our stop in San Pedro de Atacama. We’ll pick up the car at Calama Airport and return it to the agency in San Pedro. We made the reservation through Rentalcars.
The problem is, I just noticed on the booking that it says in the "what you’ll need when picking up the vehicle" section:
"Credit card: The card must have sufficient available funds to cover the excess/deposit (which will be blocked on the card for the duration of the rental)."
And then it’s written in red: "Cash payments and debit cards are not accepted."
The thing is, we don’t have a credit card—just debit cards (which, by the way, is the case for most people; we just mistakenly call them "credit cards" when they’re actually "debit cards").
I’ve seen cases where the rental company forced people to purchase additional insurance if they didn’t provide a credit card for the deposit, but that was in European countries, and I haven’t found much info about Chile.
Has anyone else run into this issue with Europcar in Calama?
Do you know if they can refuse to give us the car if we don’t have a credit card for the deposit? Just to note, the rental payment has already been debited, and we’ve opted for the "Full Protection" insurance offered by Rentalcars.
If they force us to take extra insurance, will it be something beyond this full protection?
Hi Sabrina.
There’s something I don’t quite get—if you request a credit card from your bank, which is what I did, you’ll receive a card labeled “credit” in small print on the front edge, of course. If you have a card labeled “debit,” either you requested it or your bank isn’t reliable.
I can confirm that cards marked “debit” aren’t accepted by car rental companies, and not just in Chile.
If you’ve opted for Rentalcar’s full coverage, you don’t need to purchase additional insurance when picking up the car. They might offer it, but you can simply decline. Under no circumstances can they "force" you to take out extra insurance you don’t want.
Don’t forget that if it’s stated they don’t accept debit cards, that’s a definite rule—it’s not based on the customer’s appearance.
I also booked everything in advance with full coverage, but I had to pay the paperwork fees directly at the counter to cross the Argentine border multiple times. If I’d had a debit card, they would’ve refused it.
Best regards, Bernard.
Thanks for your reply.
I made a request to my bank this morning to switch to a credit card to avoid any issues during the trip. Especially since we also rented a second car in Arica, and it clearly states they don’t accept debit cards.
I wasn’t aware of this kind of issue for the deposit until now—I’ve never had any problems using my debit card for car rentals abroad.
Hello again.
With a credit card, you'll be all set. I was surprised because my bank never provided or even offered me a debit card.
Happy planning and safe travels! Bernard.
Hi there, no, you won’t need to take out any additional insurance, and yes, we also had to provide a credit card for the deposit with Europcar SPA. Have a great trip! Safe travels! ;)
Hi Aubraclillie, could you let me know which credit card you have exactly? Which bank? Because apparently Visa is refused there, and Mastercard is deferred debit... :/
Thanks in advance!
Cathy
We’re trying to rent cars for Calama and Punta Arenas via LYS with Europcar.
We’re running into an issue because my husband, who will be the main driver, currently only has a Visa debit card (immediate debit), which isn’t accepted for the security deposit.
He’s going to order a Visa credit card with deferred debit, but we’re not sure it’ll be accepted—apparently, Visa cards are having issues with deposits in Chile.
On my end, in addition to my debit card, I’ll have a Mastercard credit card with deferred debit, which we’re hoping will work.
Two drivers are allowed, but I won’t be the main driver. Do you think this could work without any insurance issues? And can I sign the contract since the deposit has to be under the contract holder’s name?
We leave in mid-September, and we’re starting to worry.
If we can’t find a solution, we’ll have to travel by bus, but that wasn’t the plan… I’m also not sure if buses in Chilean Patagonia are as frequent as in the rest of the country?
You’ll have a MasterCard credit card (deferred debit) in your name.
You take the contract in your name.
It doesn’t matter if your husband drives more than you, as long as you both have an international driver’s permit in addition to your driver’s license. 😉
Hi there,
I don’t work for them, but the MasterCard Gold from Fortuneo is a great option. It’s a deferred debit card (what we call a credit card). It’s completely free, with no fees for opening it. It’ll be accepted by all car rental companies in Argentina and elsewhere.
Three months after opening my Fortuneo account (this was 6 years ago), they deposited 80 € into my account. It’s probably more these days.
On top of that, this card doesn’t charge any fees for payments or withdrawals abroad.
Hi Djalma,
Thanks for your feedback. I actually opened an account with Fortuneo using this card. They offered 160 € for opening it. However, due to too many issues, deferred debit is now only granted after 6 months... So, I’ll have to open a parallel account at Crédit Agricole in the meantime, until the Fortuneo card switches to deferred debit.
Have a good evening
Oh, that’s tough luck!
Anyway, at Fortuneo they’re really responsive.
I once fell victim to a scam (an online purchase I didn’t make myself), and they were the ones who alerted me the same day. I filled out a refund form and was credited the fraudulent amount really quickly.
Hi, we ll be in Calama at the end of March 2026, and I m looking for a reliable car rental there for a 7-day road trip to Salta, Argentina. But I m struggling…
We’re heading to Argentina in January/February 2027.
We’re trying to rent a van through likerentacar in El Calafate.
We’ve been trying to pay for the rental with a Visa credit card for over a week now.
But it’s not working—Payway, the platform used by Likerentacar, keeps rejecting the payment.
Has anyone else run into this kind of issue with Visa cards?
Just to clarify, we’ve tried multiple cards, and neither Visa nor the bank is even receiving a payment request. The problem seems to be on the rental platform’s end.
I think we’ll have to give up on this rental since we can’t find a solution.
Paying by bank transfer would mean losing all the Visa protections and dispute options tied to the card.
Hi everyone, does anyone know if the weather is good in Florianopolis from Christmas onward? I’m planning to continue on to São Paulo and Rio before heading north. From what I’ve gathered, it rains a lot in these three cities between Christmas and the end of January, but is it non-stop or just part of the time? Yeah, I know it’s summer—super humid and all that…
Thanks for any feedback! !
Hi everyone, does anyone know what the current situation is for visiting Caracas and the rest of the country starting at Christmas? From what I’ve read, Caracas seems to be very expensive and less safe than the rest of the country, which is more pleasant to visit with better safety for tourists—is that accurate? Thanks in advance.
For our trip next summer (tentative plan: Rio-Iguazu-Salvador plus a few days at the beach), we're thinking of doing it independently, but I don’t want to waste energy or time on logistics. So I’m looking for an agency that can handle bookings and transfers for us (excluding international flights—I’ve got those covered).
Have any of you had good experiences with an agency like this? It’s tough to find one online that doesn’t push guides or tours 😕
It's decided—2027 will be Brazil, in the summer (unless you advise against it 😕). From what I’ve read, the weather’s okay, even if it’s a bit chilly for swimming. We’re going, as always, as a group of four, with our teens. 🙂
We’d be looking at a solid two weeks, at least 14 days on the ground. I’m planning way ahead to nail down an itinerary and book our flight tickets (the prices I’m seeing already are freaking me out…).
From my research, I’ve come across some classic routes: Rio/Iguazu/Paraty/Ilha Grande.
Roughly: 4 days in Rio, 2 in Iguazu, 2 in Paraty, and 3 on Ilha Verde. That’d leave us one more stop on the trip.
Since we like to end with a "chill" stop for the kids,
My questions:
- Is Ilha Verde worth it this time of year? I’ve read that swimming might not be an option—water’s too cold… So not ideal for a chill/relaxing destination?
- How should we round out the trip in the South? São Paulo? Another stop along the Costa Verde?
- Wouldn’t it make more sense to head up to the Northeast, where it’s warmer, like Salvador de Bahia?
But Salvador raises other questions:
- Are there flights from Iguazu to Salvador?
- And for the return to France, would we have to connect through Rio or São Paulo from Salvador?
- Any suggestions for places to stay around Salvador?
Thanks for your input—I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I go along. 😉
IMPORTANT NOTICE for those planning to take a bus to another city, state, or destination from Salvador!
Starting January 20, 2026, the intercity bus station Rodoviária is changing its address!
The Rodoviária is leaving the Iguatemi area and will now be located in ÁGUAS CLARAS (about twenty kilometers from downtown Salvador).
A brand-new station (the most modern in Brazil) has just been set up there, accessible by car/taxi/Uber/metro.
Allow for much more transfer time (especially during rush hours), so leave early if you're heading to Chapada Diamantina or other Brazilian cities by bus.
Remember, there are also private transfers (even French-speaking ones) that can take you directly from your hotel in Salvador to your hotel in Chapada. Sure, it’ll be more expensive, but you’ll save on transfer time and comfort.
Tropical greetings from Salvador,
@ivanbahiaguide
Loyal member of the French-Speaking Brazil Forums for over 15 years already 😊 🇧🇷
We’re planning to explore Peru’s main highlights and were wondering if anyone could share insights on the quality and comfort of overnight buses. If so, which bus company should we trust?
Hi there, we’ve decided to head to Brazil at the end of March for 2.5 weeks with our 13-year-old son. From what I’ve gathered from some research, Rio seems like a great destination at this time of year, and I’m thinking around 4-5 days to explore it—does that sound right to you? Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, maybe a favela tour, or any other ideas?
How’s the best way to get around locally? I’ve heard about Bonito or Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande—what do you think of those? Fernando de Noronha for snorkeling or even diving? Is Recife a good option at this time of year?
If you’ve got any suggestions, we’re all ears—it’s for our 50th birthdays! :-) Thanks so much for your help and tips. See you soon.
Good evening,
We’d love to go in November to enjoy some beautiful beaches for about two weeks, preferably around Bahia, as November/December seems like a great time.
We’ve already traveled to Brazil several times and know the south of Rio as well as the region between São Luís and Fortaleza, and Chapada Diamantina...
What advice would you give us: the south with Itaparica, Morro de São Paulo, Boipeba, Barra Grande—or all four? Or maybe the north?
Thanks in advance for your help
Hi everyone,
We’re planning 40 days in Uruguay and Argentina in February and March, trying to avoid as much rain as possible.
We’re thinking of starting in Buenos Aires, then heading to Bariloche, and from there flying to Córdoba, Mendoza, or Salta. Maybe by bus or renting a car to explore each region.
Do you have any suggestions or tips for us? We love picturesque, historic cities and landscapes. As seasoned travelers, we’re used to planning our trips ourselves.
Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I’m looking for recent info on a boat trip with sleeping accommodations from Belém to Santarém. I don’t want a "luxury cruise for wealthy tourists"—just a bed with a minimum of comfort seems great to me🙂. I didn’t find any up-to-date details with Amazon Star. Do you have any companies, guides, or prices for this route to recommend?
I’d love to hear tips and feedback on this trip, especially since I’m traveling solo. I’d like to get a sense of what to expect and ensure some basic safety with transportation.
Thanks.
I live in Quindío and I’ve seen a lot of worried questions since the August earthquake. Here’s an update for those planning a trip to the coffee region.
Tourist sites are operating normally: Salento, the Cocora Valley, Filandia, and Pereira Airport are open and welcoming travelers. The region needs visitors—coming here directly helps the locals.
A few tips to plan your stay:
• Airports: Pereira and Armenia, each about 1 hour from Salento.
• Where to stay: Salento for the vibe and proximity to Cocora, Filandia, or a *finca* near Quimbaya for more tranquility.
• Cocora: Easy to explore independently from Salento, with the Willys (local jeeps) leaving from the square. Go early to avoid crowds.
• La Carbonera: Less known, wilder, and home to the largest wax palm forest. The road is long—best done in a 4x4 or with a Willy driver.
• Coffee: Many small family-run *fincas* offer tours around Salento and Filandia.
• Hot springs: Santa Rosa de Cabal, on the way to Pereira.
• Duration: Plan at least 3 days to enjoy without rushing.
If you have any questions about the region, ask away—I’m happy to help.
Hi everyone, I was wondering—I’m planning to go to Brazil on December 25th (until around mid-February) and land in São Paulo or Rio (since those are the only two southern destinations you can fly into from Europe). I’d maybe like to start in the south of the country—is it worth going there? If so, where should I begin: Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, or somewhere else before heading north?
Okay, I saw Iguaçu Falls in January 2024, so I’m skipping that stop during my trip. What route would you recommend to see the best destinations? I’m skipping the Amazon because of the rain—I only want to stay in dry, sunny regions.
Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?
Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):
29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá.
30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate.
01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá.
03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento.
04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby?
05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones?
06/12: Flight to Medellín.
07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses?
08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé.
09/12: Return to Medellín.
10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park.
11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance.
12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think?
13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?).
14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao.
15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time.
16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach.
17/12: Return to France.
So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂
Hi everyone! I’m heading to Colombia in January 2026 and have a few questions. In Salento, which is better to do—Cocora Valley or Carbonera Valley? After that, I want to fly from Medellín to Rincón del Mar. Is there an airport in Tolú? I can’t find any info. Thanks in advance, and *buen viajé* to all! Kristian
We’ve planned our road trip in Chile, and the only thing left is to book the TABSA ferry from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams.
Problem: the ferry that leaves Punta Arenas at 1 AM isn’t available for booking, no matter the day or month. All the other departures can be booked, though.
On top of that, Tabsa isn’t responding to any messages.
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Brazil from November 6th to December 2nd. We’ll be stopping in São Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Rio, and Salvador de Bahia.
Could you recommend some nice, non-luxury places to stay in each of these spots?
Also, any suggestions for places to visit would be great.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Marc
Hi there.
I already posted a message asking for advice about our upcoming trip to Chile.
Details: Getting around by bus or train.
Starting from Valparaiso, heading north, passing through cities and places to visit, then returning to Santiago via a different route.
Avoid the beaches...
Thanks
Hello,
my wife and I will be in Cusco for a week in March 2027.
I’d like to organize the visit to the site on our own, combining the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
We’d leave Cusco on Day 1 to arrive at the site in the morning, then stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, and on Day 2 return to Cusco while visiting the Sacred Valley.
Is this doable?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Rio between February 20 and March 15, 2027, to visit our son and daughter-in-law. We’re thinking of one or two "escapes" from Rio—3-day trips to get away from the city (so not too far, max 3–4 hours by car or bus). We’re all ears for suggestions! We love beautiful nature and authentic experiences, not so much the touristy spots... even though those spots are often in beautiful places, we’d rather avoid them.
Thanks for your insights!
Catherine
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip with my partner (no kids this time—thanks, Grandma!) for two weeks to celebrate her 40th birthday. I’ve been thinking about Chile. We’re looking at leaving around September 18, 2027, starting in the south and returning in early April.
Here’s what I had in mind:
8 nights in a van in the Lake District and the start of the Carretera Austral (up to the Chaitén area). We’re set to arrive in Puerto Montt around 2:00 PM. We don’t want to go too far south since we’re planning to explore the heart of Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) with the kids when they’re older. The idea is to spend 3 nights discovering the lakes (up to Cochamó) and 3 nights in Pumalín Park. I’ve also added two transition nights.
7 nights in the Atacama to experience another side of Chile (San Pedro), taking a domestic flight from Puerto Montt to Calama in the early afternoon. We’ll depart for France in the early evening from Santiago.
Hello,
We’re thinking of spending 1 month in Chile, maybe doing a loop?
From 12/23 to 01/22.
What are the must-see sights, given we’re more interested in the country’s cultural side than the beaches?
Thanks
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to southern Chile in November. Here's our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, then a flight the next day to Balmaceda where we'll pick up a rental car to reach Coyhaique.
Day 3: Walk in the Coyhaique National Reserve, then continue to Puerto Chacabuco. Return to Coyhaique for the second night.
Day 4: Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo for a hike in the national park. Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stay there for 3 nights.
Day 5: Boat tour on Laguna San Rafael.
Day 6: Day trip to Monte San Valentin Glacier.
Day 7: Excursion to the Marble Chapels, then drive to Puerto Guadal. We'll stay there for 3 nights.
Day 8: Walk along Lago Carrera and return to Puerto Guadal.
Day 9: Rio Baker Valley and, if possible, a glacier excursion.
Day 10: Drive to Cochrane and hike in Tamango National Reserve. We'll stay 2 nights in Cochrane.
Day 11: Walk in the Chacabuco Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Caleta Tortel. We'll stay there for 2 nights.
Day 13: Cruise in the Rio Baker delta.
Day 14: Return to Cochrane.
Day 15: Return to Balmaceda in two stages.
Day 16: Continue the return journey.
Day 17: Return the rental car and head back to Santiago.
After this, we're also planning to explore northern Santiago. I'll post about that part once I have a clearer idea of the route.
What do you think of this itinerary? Is it doable in 17 days?
Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations.
martine
Hi there, I’ll be in Brazil from December 10th to the end of February.
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary but I’m not sure how to arrange it—considering the climate, year-end holidays, and Carnival.
Basically, I’m thinking of the Amazon, the Northeast coast with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (but skipping Chapada Diamantina),
Ouro Preto, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—but no Rio visit.
Is this doable in 3 months?
Which direction should I take for this itinerary?
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, does anyone know the agency Ventura Travel Agency (not ventura travel)? After lots of research and quotes, it’s the only one offering Uyuni at a reasonable price while meeting all the criteria: transfer to the border, private-room accommodation, and a very fair rate. Other agencies or guides either offer shared rooms, no border transfer, or prices that are way too high. But I’d love to hear some reviews about this agency. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to Chile to visit the Atacama Desert and then head toward Putre, Lauca, Salar de Surire, etc.
Which would be the better time to go, April or November?
Is an SUV enough?
Looking forward to your tips!
Hi everyone, French travelers in Chile—what credit cards do you use for your various car rentals in the country? I’m traveling in September and was planning to switch my regular debit card (a VISA PREMIER in deferred debit mode) for the deposit guarantee.
My rentals are with Figal in Punta Arenas, Econautos in Arica, and Chilean Rent a Car in Temuco, and all of them want the deposit on a credit card. For me, deferred debit *should* work, but I’ve read comments saying the opposite.
How’s it actually working on the ground with these rental companies right now? Will a deferred debit card work, or not at all?
In France, banks don’t issue credit cards, right—or am I mistaken?
