Driving in Brazil-tips, pointers?

Hi there,

I will be travelling to Brazil in a few months, staying about 3-4 weeks. (there will be two of us)

We would like to do some driving in Brazil, ideally from Rio to Sao Paulo to stay with some friends for a few days.

Ideally we would like to drive one way, Rio-Sao Paulo and leave the car with the car rental company. Is this possible?

Also, does anyone have recommendations on rental companies? Prices?

What about driving licences?

We have an Irish driving licence, and a Spanish licence between us. Will they be accepted? If not any pointers to whats officially accepted? (Brazilian weblinks would be ok, we speak Portuguese).


Thanks in advance,
bernie

On Jan 8, 6:20 am, blue box thief
<"bNO"""@runningREMOVEwithTHISbulls.com> wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I will be travelling to Brazil in a few months, staying about 3-4 weeks. (there will be two of us)
>
> We would like to do some driving in Brazil, ideally from Rio to Sao Paulo to stay with some friends for a few days.
>
> Ideally we would like to drive one way, Rio-Sao Paulo and leave the car with the car rental company. Is this possible?
>
> Also, does anyone have recommendations on rental companies? Prices?
>
> What about driving licences?
>
> We have an Irish driving licence, and a Spanish licence between us. Will they be accepted? If not any pointers to whats officially accepted? (Brazilian weblinks would be ok, we speak Portuguese).
>
> Thanks in advance,
> bernie

The last time we drove in Brazil was in 2003 so my info would only be
for reference. The rental car companies in Rio congregate on Avenida
Princessa just outside of the tunnel in Copacabana. Internationa
driving license is good to have but not mandatory I think. But I
remember in 2003 I did get the international license. There will
likely be a drop off charge if you rent one way.

We drove from Rio to Parati and returned the car in Rio, but at GIG
rather than the place we rented in Copa. Between Rio and Sao Paulo
there is likely limited access highway the road condition should be
decent. But you will be driving along traffic clogged roads near both
cities. The things which didn't changed are

1. People in Brazil think they own the road behind the wheel and want
to emulate Ayrton Senna.
2. Do not drive in the city. You will be asking for trouble if you do
because you'll be stuck in slow moving traffic for hours.
3. Driving through towns in non-limited access road you want to be
very careful. They all have road bumps to slow the traffic down going
through town. Frequently the sign for the bump is missing. If you
drive at night and miss the sign it will cause severe car damage.
Think twice about driving at night.