Rental
How to choose the best car rental company in Bogotá in 2027: 12 questions to ask before you book
How to choose the best car rental company in Bogotá in 2027: 12 questions on deposit, insurance, mileage and airport pickup to ask before booking.
There is no single best car rental company for everyone. The best one is the company that answers, in writing and before you pay, the questions that actually change your trip. These are the 12 questions worth asking any agency in Bogotá in 2027, international or local, with the answer you should expect and how we answer at Andes Auto Rental, so you can compare on facts rather than on the daily rate.
1. How much is the deposit, how is it paid and when does it come back?
This is the question that matters most and the one most often dodged. A good answer gives the amount, the payment method and the exact refund timeframe, with the reason for it.
At Andes: the amount depends on the car and is confirmed with your quote. You pay it when you collect the car, by transfer, digital wallet or card, and it is refunded within 12 to 15 business days, because fines arrive weeks later. Full details in the security deposit guide.
“the deposit came back on exactly the day they promised, the vehicle in good condition, and on top of that they offer to bring and collect the vehicle wherever you need it”
— Erick Santiago, Google review (translated from Spanish)
2. What does the insurance cover and how much is it?
SOAT is compulsory in Colombia and only covers people. Ask about cover for the car itself: the cost, the percentage covered and who pays the rest. At Andes: full-coverage insurance is 10% of the rate and covers 80% of total loss, partial damage or theft; the remaining 20% is the excess.
3. Do I need a credit card?
Many agencies insist on one with no alternative, and it is the most common hurdle for visitors. At Andes: it is not required. The deposit can be paid by transfer or digital wallet.
4. What documents do foreigners need?
At Andes: a valid passport and driving licence from the same country, and you must be 25 or older. No International Driving Permit and no minimum time holding the licence. See renting a car in Colombia as a foreigner.
5. Is mileage limited?
"Unlimited mileage" can mean different things. Ask for it in numbers for your trip. At Andes: unlimited in and around Bogotá; on long trips a daily limit is agreed when you book, based on your route.
6. Can I leave Bogotá and return the car in another city?
At Andes: yes. Cars can be driven anywhere in Colombia with no surcharge for leaving Bogotá, and returned in another city for a fee that depends on the distance, from US$143. They cannot leave Colombia. Routes and times in our Colombia road trip guide.
7. Do rates go up in high season?
In December, at Easter and on long weekends many rates change. At Andes: they are the same all year. Travelling on a holiday? See Colombia’s public holidays in 2027.
8. Do you deliver at the airport, and at what time?
At Andes: yes, at El Dorado’s International Pier, second floor, exit 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and outside those hours by arrangement on WhatsApp. We also bring and collect the car wherever you need in Bogotá. Landing in the small hours? See late-night arrival at El Dorado.
“punctual when it came to delivering the vehicle, and the good thing is that they bring it to you and collect it wherever you need”
— Fredy Santiesteban, Google review (translated from Spanish)
9. What happens if the car breaks down far from Bogotá?
Ask whether there is roadside assistance, where and when. At Andes: full-coverage insurance includes 24/7 assistance anywhere in Colombia for the whole rental, not just in Bogotá or office hours.
“Excellent customer service, everything is explained well, 24/7 assistance and cars in good condition”
— David C., Google review (translated from Spanish)
10. How are damage and fines charged?
Be wary of charges that arrive without explanation. At Andes: any damage is quoted and you are told the amount before it is deducted from the deposit, and speed-camera fines from your rental dates are covered by it. How it works: speed camera fines in a rental car.
11. What is included at no extra cost?
What is free in one place is charged per day in another. At Andes: an additional driver, a child seat and a SIM card with data are free, and fuel is like-for-like: return it as you received it, with no refuelling charge.
12. What do customers say, and how does the company reply?
Read the Google reviews, but above all read the criticism and how the company answers it. On our profile the most repeated topic is getting the deposit back. The only review with a complaint is about its 15-business-day timeframe, the same one we publish upfront, and it opens like this:
“The service was good and they were very transparent at all times. The staff very kind and attentive.”
— Santiago Garzón, Google review (translated from Spanish)
The 12 questions at a glance
| Question | What you should get | Andes Auto Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Amount, method and timeframe in writing | Depends on the car; back in 12–15 business days |
| Insurance | Cost and percentage covered | 10% of the rate; covers 80% |
| Credit card | Alternatives for the deposit | Not required: transfer or wallet |
| Documents | Exact list | Passport and licence from the same country; 25+ |
| Mileage | The limit in numbers | Unlimited in Bogotá; daily limit agreed on long trips |
| Another city | Whether you can and the fee | Yes, from US$143 by distance |
| High season | Whether rates rise | Same price all year |
| Airport | Where and when | International Pier; 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and after hours |
| Assistance | Where and when | 24/7 nationwide, with the insurance |
| Damage and fines | How they are charged | Quoted and explained before deducting |
| Included | What is not extra | Additional driver, child seat, SIM card |
| Reviews | Criticism and replies | Google profile with replies from the owner |
The figures in this guide were verified against official sources on the update date. Tolls and rates are adjusted every year.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best car rental company in Bogotá?
- The one that tells you in writing, before you pay, how much the deposit is and when it comes back, what the insurance covers, whether mileage is limited, whether rates rise in high season and what happens if the car breaks down far from the city. The best one for you depends on your trip: compare those answers, not just the daily rate.
- Should I rent from an international brand or a local agency in Bogotá?
- International brands have standardised processes but usually charge more and require a credit card and a high deposit. Local agencies tend to have lower rates and more flexible terms. Either way, check there is a real office, a written contract and a photo inventory of the car.
- How long does it take to get a rental car deposit back in Colombia?
- It depends on the company. At Andes Auto Rental it is refunded 12 to 15 business days after you return the car, because traffic fines in Colombia are notified weeks after the offence. What matters is being told the timeframe before you sign.
- Can I rent a car in Bogotá without a credit card?
- Yes, at some agencies. At Andes Auto Rental the deposit can be paid by bank transfer, digital wallet or credit card.
- Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Colombia?
- No. Colombian traffic law accepts a valid foreign licence for tourists during their authorised stay, up to six months. At Andes Auto Rental your passport and licence must be from the same country and you must be 25 or older.
- How can I tell if a car rental company in Colombia is trustworthy?
- It has a verifiable physical address, puts the contract and coverage in writing, answers before you pay, and its Google reviews talk about the same things it promises. Look at how it replies to criticism, too.
