Car Rental

student13210 · #1 08-24-2005, 10:52 AM

I am planning to spend a week in the Dominican Republic in December. My plan is to fly there, take a car rental at the airport and then to drive around on my own. My concern is related to the car safety and generaly how safe it is to drive a car in the Dominican republic. Should I keep my eye all the time on the car? A lot of car robberies? What about parking spots? Is it easy to park a car everywhere/many public parking lots? Generally is it a hassle to have a car while in the Dominican Republic?

TimInDR · #2 08-24-2005, 11:22 AM

How safe is it to drive in the DR?

It is a completely different experience than in the states (other than a few crazy cities). Maybe you should take a couple taxi rides first to see what you are up against.

Should you keep your eye on the car all the time?

No. Get the insurance (make sure the company you rent from has REAL insurance....some have deductibles as high as $2,500 US) , or pay with a credit card that will cover damages for you (again double check this, as some have exclusions for the DR or SUV/4x4 rentals). Go have fun.

A lot of car robberies?

There are some. There have been a few reported on this board. I don't know of any good source of reliable statistics, though. Lock your stuff somewhere (safer) else, and keep valuables out of sight. Use common sense.

Parking?

Depending on where you go.... maybe you could get some more specific ideas of where you are headed and ask again. In general, I haven't had much trouble anywhere.

Generally is it a hassle to have a car?

If you own one yes. If you rent one, no.

Good luck,

tim

Robert · #3 08-24-2005, 11:29 AM

This topic has been covered many times and I guess we must have 500-600 posts on this topic. The search function is your friend.

- Rent from a reputable company (National, Budget, Hertz, Avis etc)
- Apply a heavy dose of common sense when driving around.

1000's of people rents cars and drive around the country every year.

sunshine_79 · #4 08-24-2005, 11:30 AM

C'mon Tim - what the heck do you know about renting cars?

ricktoronto · #5 08-24-2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by student13210

I am planning to spend a week in the Dominican Republic in December. My plan is to fly there, take a car rental at the airport and then to drive around on my own. My concern is related to the car safety and generaly how safe it is to drive a car in the Dominican republic. Should I keep my eye all the time on the car? A lot of car robberies? What about parking spots? Is it easy to park a car everywhere/many public parking lots? Generally is it a hassle to have a car while in the Dominican Republic?

In a nutshell you're crazy to do this if you've no experience and judging by all the questions you haven't any. Worrying about the car parking etc., you should worry about the 100,000 loonies who drive like they don't give two sh*ts about them or you.

la_barbie · #6 08-24-2005, 12:17 PM

I cannot go on a trip without renting a car..... it drives me nuts if I don't have a car at my disposal............ but I will say if you've never driven there than WATCH OUT !!! You can get killed a good 15-20 times in one intersection lol..... If you are gonna rent, as mentioned before, rent from a well known agency and check out what their deductables are before renting ..
Last year I had a small accident in Santo Domingo, but It cost me WAYYY less ($150 US I believe it was) to fix it on my own..

If anything does happen to it don't be a dumbass like the other guy on the board and just leave it on the streets to get broken into....

TimInDR · #7 08-24-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

- Rent from a reputable company (National, Budget, Hertz, Avis etc)

1000's of people rents cars and drive around the country every year.

....or Prestige!

gagilmer · #8 08-24-2005, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimInDR

....or Prestige!

That goes without saying since the rental experience with Prestige is second-to-none!

As far as the driving is concerned...if you can handle the feeling of being on the inside of a multi-ball pinball machine...you'll be fine.

As far as parking is concerned: Just pick a spot...anywhere is fine...On a curb...in a yard...what the heck, how about the middle of the road...doesn't seem to bother the locals! Besides, parking in the middle of the road in order to cover some large potholes could be considered a public service if it keeps other drivers from losing their car in said crater...i mean pothole.

HOWMAR · #9 08-24-2005, 04:09 PM

No matter how careful you are, any gringo can become victim of the Dominican version of the squat and swoop scam. This is where a motochoncho "accidently" has an accident with you. This is followed by a crowd of 20-30 other motochonchos surrounding you. A policeman then shows up. None speak any English of course. Through an interpeter you find out that the police have to bring you in to further investigate the "accident". And of course you may be facing criminal charges if any bodily injury resulted from your "negligent" driving. But you are lucky....For a mere 10,000 pesos or maybe $500 dollars, everything can be forgotten. Of course if you insist on going to the police station, a consular officer should be able to help you out in a day or two.
The moral of the story: Hire a car and driver.

MerengueDutchie · #10 08-25-2005, 09:08 AM

HOWMAR,

To avoid this.. rent a jeep with tinted windows.. put bachata on full blast.. never stop till you reach your destination or have to stop for gas.. drive as fast as the road will allow...

Enjoy your ride in the DR