Top Destinations Across Central and South America

22 April 2026

Exploring Central and South America by car gives you the freedom to experience more along the way. From volcanoes and waterfalls to coastal towns and vibrant cities, every journey becomes part of the adventure. With U-Save Car Rental locations across key airports and city hubs, you can enjoy easy airport car rental, flexible vehicle hire, and the convenience of travelling across Central and South America at your own pace.

Arriving in San Jose, you can pick up your U-Save rental and begin your Costa Rica road trip straight away. This is one of the best destinations in Central America for exploring by car, with well-connected routes leading to rainforests, volcanoes, and beaches.

Usave costa rica — U-Save Car Rental exterior in San José, Costa Rica, showing the branch entrance and parked rental vehicles ready for pick-up.

Top experiences and driving times:

• Arenal Volcano is around 3 hours (120 km) from U-Save San José, known for its hot springs and scenic hiking trails.

• La Fortuna Waterfall is also around 3 hours away, which is located at the base of Arenal Volcano, where you can swim beneath a 70-metre cascade surrounded by jungle.

• Jaco Beach is around 1.5 to 2 hours (approx. 90 km) from San José, offering beaches, surfing, and a lively coastal town atmosphere.

With your own vehicle, you can easily plan a road trip in Costa Rica, stopping at hidden viewpoints, local towns, and natural attractions along the way.

With U-Save pick-up locations at major Colombian airports such as Cartagena Airport, Bogota Airport, and Santa Marta Airport, starting your Colombia travel itinerary is simple. Having an airport car rental in Colombia makes it easy to explore beyond the city from the moment you land.

From the Caribbean coast to the mountains, Colombia is ideal for scenic driving routes and flexible travel experiences.

Colombia 1000x1000 — Panoramic view from the top of El Peñol de Guatapé in Colombia, overlooking vibrant blue lakes, scattered islands, and lush green hills under a wide open sky.

Top experiences and driving times:

• Cartagena Old Town is just 15 minutes (approx. 7km) from U-Save Cartagena airport, perfect for colourful streets and coastal views.

• Guatapé and El Peñol are around 1 to 1.5 hours (50–60 km) from U-Save Rionegro Airport, known for panoramic viewpoints and vibrant town streets.

• Tayrona National Park is approximately 35 minutes (20 km) from U-Save Santa Marta Airport, where jungle trails lead to Caribbean beaches.

• Valle de Cocora is around 40 km from U-Save Armenia Airport, typically about a 1-hour scenic drive through the Coffee Region’s lush green mountains and coffee landscapes.

Having a rental car allows you to experience the diversity of Colombia, from city culture to coastal escapes, all within one trip.

In Nicaragua, you can pick up your U-Save vehicle from locations including Augusto C. Sandino International Airport and San Juan del Sur, making it easy to begin your Nicaragua road trip. This destination is perfect for travellers looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures and scenic routes.

Nicaragua 1000x1000 — View of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua from a mountain hill, overlooking the crescent-shaped bay, coastal town, and boats along the shoreline.

Top experiences and driving times:

• Masaya Volcano is around 40 minutes (30 km) from the airport, where you can look directly into an active crater

• Apoyo Lagoon is approximately 1 hour (45 km) away from U-Save Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, ideal for swimming in a volcanic crater lake

• San Juan del Sur offers easy access to nearby beaches and sunset viewpoints right from your pick-up location

• León and Cerro Negro are around 1.5 hours (90 km) from U-Save Chinandega, known for volcano boarding and striking landscapes

With a U-Save rental car, you can explore Nicaragua with complete flexibility, discovering volcanoes, lakes, and coastal towns at your own pace.

Central and South America offer endless opportunities for exploration, and having your own vehicle makes all the difference. Whether you’re planning a road trip across Central America, building a South America travel itinerary, or simply looking for reliable airport car rental options, U-Save makes it easy to get on the road.

With convenient locations, a range of vehicles, and the freedom to travel on your own schedule, your journey begins the moment you arrive.

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