Renting a car in the Dominican Republic? This picturesque nation occupies about two thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, with Haiti to the west. Having your own ride is a great way to explore the D.R.’s idyllic beach towns and 871 miles of coastline. However, driving in the D.R. is not for the faint of heart. Here are some considerations you should know about before planning your road trip.
Essential Tips for Renting a Car in the Dominican Republic
Book from home.
Waiting to book your reservation until you’re in the Dominican Republic will add more stress to your trip. In addition, you are almost guaranteed to pay more. Most major car rental companies allow free cancellations, so go ahead and book your trip from the U.S. ahead of time. The further ahead you reserve your car, the better the chance of landing a deal because you can watch out for price drops.
You do not need an International Driving Permit.
All you need is a valid state-issued driver’s license to rent a car in the D.R., but obtaining an International Driving Permit can be a good idea in this Spanish-speaking country. The document is easy to obtain and simply translates the information on your driver’s license.
Don’t drive into Haiti.
Most rental companies will not allow you to drive across the border into Haiti, and doing so could nullify any car rental insurance you purchase. If you do wanted to explore the other side of the island, it is important to double and triple check with your rental agency and get permission in writing, as additional conditions and fees may apply.
If you want to cross into Haiti, there are other ways to do so—such as on a bus or on an excursion tour. Don’t forget your passport.
Prepare yourself for the rules of the road.
In the Dominican Republic, you will drive on the right. Turning right on red lights is permitted, but it should be done with caution. Wearing a seat belt is mandatory in the Dominican Republic. Speed limits are in kilometers. Trucks have priority over cars.
Many travel blogs, forums and websites warn that driving in the Dominican Republic can be full of hazards, with mopeds, carts in the road and pedestrians requiring that drivers keep their full attention at all times.
There are many ways to ding up a rental car. Be careful at intersections. In some locations, culvets (deep indents in the road) replace stop signs. Drive over these very slowly to avoid damage to your rental car Speaking of which, be careful about getting off the beaten track. Major highways in the D.R. tend to be fairly smooth, but smaller roads, especially in rural areas,are often full of ruts and potholes and require careful driving.
Pay for the rental in Dominican pesos.
You may have the option to pay for the rental in U.S. dollars, but this option will cost you more in the long run. Pay in the local currency to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees. If you opt to pay in U.S. dollars, the rental car company converts the purchase amount from the local currency on your behalf. But this process is entirely unnecessary, since your credit card company will process the transaction in either currency, and you will pay through the nose for the non-convenience.
Understand your insurance requirements.
The D.R. is one of those countries where it can be just easier to pony up for the insurance offered at the counter. It is very possible that your credit card will not cover you sufficiently when renting in the Dominican Republic (always check before you leave home), and the consequences of being underinsured in this country are particularly onerous.
If you are in an accident and underinsured, you can be jailed while the police sort out what happened. If that scares you, opt for a special type of insurance called the Casa del Conductore that can keep you out of jail in case of an accident. This is normally offered at the counter along with the collision insurance, but be sure to double check that it is part of the policy.
Expect a large security hold.
If your credit card covers you for overseas car rentals, you might plan to rely on that insurance in the Dominican Republic. Be aware, however, that if you decline the rental car company’s damage waiver, the company will typically hold a large security deposit against your credit card (often $1000 or more) while you are in possession of the vehicle.
Inspect the car carefully before you drive away.
While it’s tempting to head straight for the idyllic beaches upon picking up your vehicle, make sure to inspect the car extra carefully for any dings, dents or scratches on the surface. Take photos of every inch of the car. Otherwise, you could end up paying for those imperfections if you don’t document them before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a vehicle in one European country, and return it to the other?
One way to make travel easier would be if you could rent cars in multiple countries but always have them returned where they were rented from.
However, this idea might not be very practical because people don’t want to pay for extra mileage. Rental agencies often charge more to return a car to an area other than the one it was originally rented.
So unless you plan on traveling frequently, it may be better to pick only one country where you plan on staying for a while.
Do you require a car to travel around Europe?
The best solution to your problem depends on where you live, what you do and how you think. A typical European urban area might have different priorities to a rural one.
You should also consider how long you plan to stay in each country. An economical car is not the best option if you plan on moving around often.
In most cases, buying used cars is more cost-effective than renting. Renting a car in Europe can be more expensive than buying a second-hand vehicle. There are many reasons for this. You can save on fuel, parking fees as well as maintenance and insurance costs.
Another advantage is that your car allows you to drive safely.
You can find excellent information on car rental in Europe on a variety of websites. Check out our recommendations.
What are the requirements to rent a car from Portugal?
Portugal has an international driving permit that is required for renting a car. Also, for payment purposes, proof of insurance or valid credit cards is required.
A rental company may ask for your passport/national ID card to confirm your booking.
Portugal requires that you show two forms or identification to rent a car.
These documents are required by law to conform with European Union regulations on road safety. If you have any doubts regarding your identity, you might be denied entry to the vehicle until these documents can be provided.
If you do NOT have an International Driving License, you will need to obtain a translated copy from the Driver Licensing Authority of your home country.
This document should be translated into Portuguese and accompanied by all necessary documentation. Although the cost of this document will vary depending on where it is located, it generally runs between $20-30 USD.
Please be aware that the vehicle may deny you access if you don’t have a copy of your official translator.
Which is the best place to rent a vehicle?
Airports, rental agencies, and hotels are the most popular places to rent cars.
Use online travel sites such Expedia and Priceline to find the closest airport location.
If local rental companies have locations near where you live, they might be worth your consideration. These can be cheaper and more convenient than booking directly through an airline website.
You might want to consider public transport if you rent a car for less then two weeks. You can take advantage of city-wide bus pass, which allows unlimited rides within a particular area.
Renting a convertible is possible if you travel with children. These vehicles offer more protection to their children than others.
Which rental car company has the most locations?
Hertz would have been an answer, but they aren’t listed as a service provider that is location-based.
Statistics
- In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- I’d say 70% of the time, we have a hassle-free encounter, but there have been certain companies that we prefer not to use anymore. (theworldpursuit.com)
External Links
alamo.com
jdpower.com
enterprise.com
sixt.com
How To
Tips for booking a rental car in Europe
Europe can be divided into cities and countries. Paris, London and Rome are the most visited cities. Enterprise Rent-A-Car International, Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Avis are all car-hire companies. These companies are located at major airports, stations, and urban centers. Most often, they provide vehicles with drivers and fuel. You can rent a Volkswagen Polo for as little as EUR 40 per day.
The booking process can vary depending on the country you’re visiting. In some places, like Spain, there are different payment methods available. Sometimes the price includes taxes, fees and other charges. Before making any reservations, check out the website for the car rental company. If you do not know where you want to go or if you simply prefer to drive yourself, check out these companies:Alamo,Avis,Europcar,Budget,National, andThrifty
