Renting a car in the Dominican Republic opens up the entire island — remote beaches, mountain towns, and routes no tour bus will ever take. But Dominican driving culture is its own adventure: motorbikes emerge from blind spots, speed bumps appear without warning, and "lane markings" are philosophical suggestions. Here's what you need to know before turning the key.
Should You Rent a Car?
Yes, if:
- You're visiting multiple destinations (Santo Domingo + Samaná + Punta Cana — our 7-day itinerary is designed around a rental car)
- You want to explore off-the-beaten-path beaches and national parks
- You're comfortable with assertive driving cultures (think Italy, Mexico, or Southeast Asia)
- You want to eat at local restaurants and comedores instead of resort buffets
No, if:
- You're staying at one all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana and don't plan to leave (Uber and tour pickups are sufficient)
- You're nervous about unfamiliar driving conditions — the stress may not be worth it
- You're staying exclusively in Santo Domingo (Uber and the Metro are excellent)
- You prefer not to drive at night (rural DR roads are genuinely hazardous after dark)
What It Actually Costs
The advertised rate is never the final price. Here's a realistic breakdown:
- Vehicle rental: US$30-50/day for a compact (Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10), US$45-70/day for a midsize (Toyota Corolla, Kia Rio), US$60-100/day for an SUV (Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4)
- Insurance (mandatory): US$15-30/day — the single biggest add-on. More on this below.
- Gas: Approximately RD$290-310/gallon for regular, RD$320-340 for premium. Fill a compact car for about RD$2,500-3,000 (US$42-50).
- Tolls: The Autopista (highway) system uses tolls of RD$60-260 per section. Santo Domingo to Santiago: approximately RD$400 total in tolls. Carry cash — toll booths don't accept cards.
- Parking: Free at most beaches and attractions. Paid parking in Santo Domingo: RD$50-150/hour in lots, metered on-street where available.
Realistic total for 7 days (compact car): US$400-650 including rental, insurance, gas, and tolls.
Booking Tips
- Book online in advance — walk-up rates at airports are 30-50% higher
- Use comparison sites (Discover Cars, Rentalcars.com) to find the best rates, then consider booking directly with the company for better customer service
- International companies: Avis, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise, and Europcar have airport desks. Generally more reliable on insurance claims.
- Local companies: Nelly Rent-a-Car, MC Auto, and others offer lower base rates. Quality varies — read recent reviews carefully.
- Automatic transmission: Available and recommended. Manual is cheaper but Dominican traffic requires constant shifting that gets tiring quickly.
- Reserve the smallest car that fits your needs. Narrow streets, tight parking, and aggressive traffic are all easier in a compact. Exception: if you plan to visit Barahona, Pedernales, or remote beaches, an SUV with higher clearance is worth it.
The Insurance Situation
This is the most contentious part of renting in the DR. Here's the unvarnished truth:
Mandatory Minimum Insurance
All rentals include basic liability insurance (CDW/LDW with a high deductible of US$1,000-3,000). This covers third-party damage but leaves you exposed for damage to your rental car up to the deductible amount.
Should You Buy Full Coverage?
Yes. We strongly recommend reducing the deductible to zero (sometimes called "Super CDW" or "Zero Excess"). It costs US$15-25/day extra. Dominican roads are unpredictable — potholes, speed bumps, stray animals, and other drivers. A minor fender-bender without full coverage can cost US$500-2,000 in deductible charges.
Credit Card Insurance
Some premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) offer rental car coverage. Check the fine print for Dominican Republic coverage — some cards exclude specific Caribbean countries. If your card covers the DR, you may decline the rental company's supplemental insurance, but confirm with your card issuer before your trip.
The "Damage on Return" Scam
Some agencies (especially low-budget ones) claim scratches on return that existed before your rental. Prevention:
- Photograph and video every surface of the car before driving away — do this with the agent present
- Make sure all pre-existing damage is noted on the rental agreement
- Photograph the car again upon return, in the agent's presence
- Get a signed "no damage" confirmation at return if possible
Picking Up Your Car
At airport locations, follow the "Renta de Autos / Car Rental" signs. The process takes 20-40 minutes:
- Present your reservation, passport, and credit card (debit cards are often not accepted)
- The agent will review insurance options — be prepared for the upsell
- Sign the contract after reading the key terms (deductible, fuel policy, mileage limits)
- Do your photo/video walk-around of the car BEFORE leaving the lot
- Check that the spare tire exists and is inflated — Dominican roads eat tires
Required documents: Valid driver's license (from your home country — an International Driving Permit is recommended but not strictly required), passport, and credit card in the primary driver's name.
Road Conditions & Driving Culture
Let's be honest: Dominican driving culture takes some adjustment.
The Good
- Major highways (autopistas) between cities are modern, well-maintained, and comparable to U.S. interstates
- Gas stations are frequent on main routes
- Road signage has improved significantly in recent years
- Google Maps and Waze work well throughout the country
The Challenging
- Motorbikes: They're everywhere and follow their own rules. Assume a motorcycle will appear from any gap in traffic.
- Speed bumps (reductores / policías acostados): Often unmarked, sometimes absurdly steep. They appear on every road, including highways. Hit one at speed and you'll damage your suspension (and your spine).
- Lane discipline: Minimal. Cars change lanes without signaling, three lanes become five, and the shoulder becomes a passing lane during congestion.
- Night driving: Strongly discouraged outside cities. Unlit roads, pedestrians in dark clothing, stray animals, and vehicles without taillights are all common hazards.
- Rural roads: Can deteriorate rapidly — potholes the size of bathtubs, unpaved sections, and narrow passages with no guardrails on mountain curves.
Major Highways & Toll Roads
The autopista network connects the major cities via modern toll roads:
- Autopista Duarte (DR-1): Santo Domingo → Santiago (2.5 hours). The most-traveled highway in the country.
- Autopista del Este (DR-3): Santo Domingo → La Romana → Punta Cana corridor (2-3 hours)
- Autopista del Nordeste: Santo Domingo → Samaná (2.5 hours). The newest and most scenic highway.
- Autopista del Coral: La Romana → Punta Cana (1 hour). The final approach to the resort area.
- Carretera del Norte: Santiago → Puerto Plata (1 hour). Well-maintained two-lane highway through mountains.
Tolls are paid in cash (Dominican pesos) at staffed booths. Keep small bills handy. No electronic toll systems yet.
Gas Stations & Fuel
- Major chains: Shell, Isla (Total), Sunix, and Propagas. Found every 20-30 km on major routes.
- Full service only: An attendant pumps your gas. Tip RD$20-50.
- Fuel types: Regular (more than sufficient for rental cars) and Premium. Diesel is widely available.
- Prices: Set weekly by the government. Posted at every station. As of early 2026: Regular approximately RD$295/gallon, Premium approximately RD$330/gallon.
- Rural warning: Fill up before heading to Barahona, Pedernales, Monte Cristi, or any remote area. Gas stations thin out dramatically.
- Fuel policy: Most rentals are "full to full" — return the car with a full tank or pay inflated per-gallon rates.
Police Checkpoints
You will encounter police checkpoints (retenes), especially on highways and at town entrances. These are routine and usually nothing to worry about.
- What to expect: Officers wave some cars through and stop others. If stopped, lower your window, greet politely ("Buenas"), and show your driver's license and rental agreement when asked.
- Documents to keep handy: Driver's license, rental contract, and passport (or photocopy).
- Bribery attempts: Rare with tourists driving rentals, but if an officer suggests you pay a fine "right here" instead of at a station, politely ask for the official ticket (multa). This usually resolves the situation.
- Stay calm: Checkpoints are normal. Cooperate, be polite, and you'll be waved on in under 2 minutes.
Parking
- Hotels: Most hotels include free parking. Confirm when booking.
- Santo Domingo: Paid lots near the Zona Colonial cost RD$100-200/hour. Street parking is available but watch for no-parking zones (your car may be towed). Never park on the street at night in the city.
- Beach parking: Generally free at public beaches. An attendant may ask for RD$50-100 to "watch your car" — paying is a good idea and avoids hassle.
- Malls and plazas: Free parking with security.
- Tip: Don't leave anything visible in the car — no bags, electronics, sunglasses, or even empty shopping bags. In any country, visible items invite break-ins.
10 Essential Driving Tips
- Drive defensively. Assume no one will signal, yield, or follow lane markings. Defensive driving is the single most important skill in the DR.
- Slow down for speed bumps. They're everywhere, often unmarked, and can be severe. Look for painted yellow lines or locals slowing down ahead of you.
- Avoid driving at night outside of cities and well-lit highways. This is the #1 safety recommendation from every car rental agency.
- Use Google Maps or Waze. Both work well and have updated road data for the DR. Waze is better for real-time traffic and police alerts.
- Carry cash for tolls and gas. Card payments are not available at toll booths and rarely at gas stations outside major cities.
- Fill up before remote destinations. Barahona, Pedernales, and mountain routes have sparse gas stations.
- Honk before blind curves on mountain roads. Single-lane mountain roads in Samaná, Jarabacoa, and the southwest require alerting oncoming traffic.
- Watch for motorcycles. They share lanes, pass on both sides, and carry entire families. Give them space.
- Get full insurance. The peace of mind is worth US$15-25/day. One pothole at the wrong angle can cost more than a week of premium coverage.
- Photograph your car before and after. This is your proof against fraudulent damage claims. Do it every time, without exception.