Drivers license and car rental « Thread Started on Nov 5, 2009, 7:16pm »
Hi, My family and I will be in PC in December, and want to travel to Azua to visit our sponsor child. If I read the map correctly, this trip could be done in half a day or so if driving. We may want to take a couple of days and stop in Santo Domingo and a few other spots, but I guess my questions are ; How are the car rental companies?, Does DR recognize Canadian licenses?Insurance? Is it commonplace for tourists to rent cars?Any special rules or driving considerations? Any safety issues? Thanks Brett
Hi, My family and I will be in PC in December, and want to travel to Azua to visit our sponsor child. If I read the map correctly, this trip could be done in half a day or so if driving. I would be surprised if it could be done in a half day. The 'or so' part would be bigger. We may want to take a couple of days and stop in Santo Domingo and a few other spots, but I guess my questions are ; How are the car rental companies? OK Does DR recognize Canadian licenses? Yes Insurance? Your Canadian insurance is null and void. Is it commonplace for tourists to rent cars? No Any special rules or driving considerations? Tonnage rule, biggest vehicle has right of way .... Any safety issues? You've obviously not seen the way they drive there. Driving is a game and traffic signals, lane markings and the like are ignored. A traffic light is likely to be considered an indicator whether the electrical power is on today or not. If the road is full, there's always the sidewalk .... Oh, and if you have an accident, being the gringo, you'll automatically be at fault and at a disadvantage unless you speak fluent Spanish. Thanks Brett
If it were me, I'd hire a vehicle and driver, even if I had to put him up for an overnight in a hotel. Oh, and don't even consider driving at night. A significant portion of the vehicles on the road don't have working lights. And motorbikes are EVERYWHERE ....
Never kick a tiger in the arse unless you have a plan to deal with it's teeth.
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 690 Location: Jamestown NY, Guananico D.R.
Re: Drivers license and car rental « Reply #3 on Nov 10, 2009, 4:22pm »
I may be able to give some good advise here. I had a rental car business in the D.R. a few yeqars ago. I have also owned my own vehicles there. I also have rented cars on numerous occasions.
Number 1 rule..... if you are a timid driver, DO NOT RENT A CAR IN THE D.R.!
Number 2 rule.....if you are not a very good alert driver DO NOT RENT A CAR IN THE D.R.!
Do not rent a car in person in the D.R. Rent via the internet and be sure to print out all the particulars, including price including taxes. Rent the car from the airport of your arrival, departure. If this is your first time renting in the D.R. it may be best to buy the all inclusive insurance. Rent a smaller SUV if possible (more expensive). Have a digital camera available and take pictures of any dents etc. within a picture that includes the rental agent. Take a pic of the gas gauge with the rental agent in front of the car. Make sure any broken glass (even cracked) is noted. Checlk light lenses etc. and notate any deficiencies. Believe me.....they will take advantage if they think you are a dumb ***. Act like you have rented there many times. Also be sure to notate any problems with the interiror and make sure everything works before you go because they will charge you for things that don't work when you return.
All that being said, I have had good luck with Eurocar rental. Prices are good and as long as you do what I said above they will not try to scam you. I have also rented from Nelli. More expensive but the cars are clean.
Try not to drive at night! Driving in the D.R. is kind of like driving in a video game. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!! Santo Domingo is actually a bit easier to drive in, albeit very congested, but people to tend to drive slightly more legal than in lets say Puerto Plata.
I have driven to Azua several times and it is a pleasant drive with decent roads from Santo Domingo. You drive pretty much along the ocean and some of the views are marvelous. One thing that may surprise you is that about an hour west of Santo Domingo you will get into what I would consider a desert... omplete with cactus!
As I recall it is about 2 or 3 hours to Azua from Santo Domingo. I just asked my wife (Dominican) and she said it is about 4 hours from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo. Allowing 1 hour to get through Santo Domingo so you may be looking at 8 hours on the road.
Probably the biggest problem with driving long distance in the D.R. is that the roads are not well marked, however, you should be on 1 road from Punta Cana to Azua.
Feel free to view our picture site. Always new photos of Brianna! Also some pics of the real Dominican Republic away from the resorts. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jahfelipe
Joined: Jan 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 526 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Re: Drivers license and car rental « Reply #4 on Nov 10, 2009, 11:12pm »
Hey Phil, Thanks again for sharing your great knowledge of the countryside and tips for travelers. Not driving at night is something we can pick up in a Google search; Finding a desert about an hour west of Santo Domingo is priceless info. So is "roads are not well marked".
Re: Drivers license and car rental « Reply #5 on Nov 11, 2009, 11:56am »
Great information, I truly appreciate it.. What are the speed limits like?I found one mileage chart that shows approx 205kms to SD, and a total of 330 to Azua.This works out to about 200mi's total.. Is it feasible to do 45-50 mph as an average?,or are they for the most part 2 lane rds with "chicken buses and donkey carts"?(Don't mean any disrespect, but I need to know the extremes..)
Also, does SD have a lot of hotels?Any area in particular to stay away from if we overnight?
Never kick a tiger in the arse unless you have a plan to deal with it's teeth.
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 690 Location: Jamestown NY, Guananico D.R.
Re: Drivers license and car rental « Reply #6 on Nov 11, 2009, 5:52pm »
The roads are marked for KMH but they are only suggestions. Drive what others are driving and being a gringo make sure you have your seat belt on! You will go from 2 lane roads to 4 lane roads without knowledge of change.
The main road is pretty good and you should not have a lot of problems.
Stay away from any hotel that says 'cabanas'. Other than that I have no particular advise on hotels.
Disreguard the ileage chart...... 6 to 8 hours from Punta Cana to Azua.
Feel free to view our picture site. Always new photos of Brianna! Also some pics of the real Dominican Republic away from the resorts. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jahfelipe
Joined: Feb 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 9,737 Location: Canada
Re: Drivers license and car rental « Reply #7 on Nov 11, 2009, 6:28pm »
I guess my point is that driving is a full time job in the DR. You can drive or sightsee, but not both. If you have a hired car and driver, everyone in your party can enjoy the scenery.
Never kick a tiger in the arse unless you have a plan to deal with it's teeth.
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 690 Location: Jamestown NY, Guananico D.R.
Re: Drivers license and car rental « Reply #8 on Nov 12, 2009, 6:04pm »
Bob... I agree with you to a point. You certainly need to be alert but there is nothing better than having your own agenda, your transportation and your priorities. Not all roads in the D.R. are horrible and once you understand the rules and the supposed (or lack of) ettiquette driving is not overly difficult and you can take in the sights while maintaining alertness.
Please understand me when I say driving in the D.R. is not for everyone. And yes, it can be dangerous and also very expensive if you have an at fault accident. But, when people want to really explore, there really is not any other way to travel.
I do not suggest that all people should rent a car in the D.R., but if renting a car is on their agenda I will try to advise and also will try to protect.
Feel free to view our picture site. Always new photos of Brianna! Also some pics of the real Dominican Republic away from the resorts. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jahfelipe
..... but there is nothing better than having your own agenda, your transportation and your priorities.
Exactly my point. I didn't say a canned tour with 'their' priorities. If you have your own vehicle with a driver, then you have your own agenda, your transportation and your priorities. Then the would be driver can avoid looking out for other cars/trucks, potholes, dogs, pedestrians etc etc etc, and spend 100% of his time enjoying the passing scenery .... The absolute best one can do in this situation is about 50%. If you travel this way every day, then fine, but for a once in a lifetime ....
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