Car Rental
Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Punta Cana at your leisure.
However, driving in the Dominican Republic is not recommended for the nervous driver. If you are confident driving 3rd world or latin style then go for it.
Tips: keep your speed down and eyes open all around you at all times. Expect the unexpected. Road rules are generally ignored here. Driving is aggressive and fast. Little to no road signage. Not recommended to drive after dark – too many unlit vehicles/obstacles in the road, plus you’ll get blinded by oncoming vehicles laser like high beams (they don’t dip their headlights here). It gets dark around 7pm.
The best car rental prices are found by booking online. Go with a renown, reputable company. Make sure you have full insurance coverage and understand exactly what it covers (don’t rely on your credit card insurance). When you collect your vehicle make sure to ask the agent what to do in case of an accident 1) with no injured parties 2) with injured parties. Good idea to have the rental agent’s out-of-hours phone number on you in case of emergency.
You can also book through your hotel guest services once you’ve arrived.
As of March 2011 there is now a car rental office in Punta Cana airport – next to Jet Bar, behind the Taxi booth in the outer arrivals hall – big green “car rental” sign above.
Inside you’ll find booths for:
Avis, Budget & Europcar (staffed 9am to 9pm)
Alamo, Thrifty (staffed 9am to 5pm)
The best prices are found online, booking at the airport will cost considerably more. Cars are still not kept at the airport so if you last minute book you’ll have to wait for the car to be delivered.
Note: there are 4 gas stations in Punta Cana see our General Map
1) north of Hard Rock Hotel on the road to Macao beach
2) Fruisa junction
3) Blvd Turistico del Este towards the airport (between Cabeza de Toro and the airport)
4) Veron crossroad (Cruce de Veron)
Tip: Before renting read this article about vehicle accident procedure in the Dominican Republic
Tip: also read about Casa de Conductor (protective custody) here
Tip: Before renting see our post on Dominican Driving
Here’s a good link for more airport car rental info:
http://www.puntacanaairportcarrental.com
Alamo
Punta Cana Int. Airport
809 466 1083
Alamo website
Avis
Punta Cana Int. Airport
8am to 9pm
809 688-1354
Bavaro, Av. Estados Unidos
8am to 5pm
809 688 1354
Avis website
Budget
Bavaro
809 480 8153 / 809 552 1245
Budget website
Dollar
Hotel Natura Park, Cabeza de Toro
809 468 3617 / 809 688 5617
Edsof
Plaza Rivieras, Av. Espana
809 552 1789
Europcar
Punta Cana: 809 686 2861
Bavaro: 809 552 1245
Europcar website
National
Bavaro/punta Cana Regional Office
Carretera Bavaro 5 Km
Bavaro/punta/cana , 11111
Phone: 809 466-1083
Fax: 809 227-9015
National website
Prestige Car Rentals
Bavaro
809 455 1420
email: reservations@prestigecarrentals.com
Prestige website
