On our second trip to the DR we flew into Santo Domingo and took a cab into town not wanting to have to deal with parking and paying rental for several days and thinking that we could rent a car easily when we were ready to go. Previously, we had done just that flying into Puerto Plata and staying near Cabarete. Our hotel secured a 4WD for us at a relatively reasonable rate. Not so in the City.
After some efforts by our hotel that were unsatisfactory, we went to Advantage car rental, where we were offered an acceptable rate. After more research we returned to pick up the car, but were told that in spite of complete coverage by my credit card company, which also happens to be an insurance company, we would have to put up a US$800, deposit.
This, we refused since there was no assurance of a refund and ended up saving a lot of money using the bus to get to Barahona and then to Samana, taking gaguas locally. We even took the ferry across Samana Bay and then a bus to get to Boca Chica. Despite getting hustled at the dock, having to pay extra for luggage on this "local" bus, and the discomfort relative to Caribe Tours bus line, it was a good trip. Having Americanos take the bus was a unique experiance for some folks. Somehow, we are not seen as being adventuresome. Perhaps that is due to the package deal resort compounds that like to scare tourists into believing the DR is as bad as Jamaica.
After some efforts by our hotel that were unsatisfactory, we went to Advantage car rental, where we were offered an acceptable rate. After more research we returned to pick up the car, but were told that in spite of complete coverage by my credit card company, which also happens to be an insurance company, we would have to put up a US$800, deposit.
This, we refused since there was no assurance of a refund and ended up saving a lot of money using the bus to get to Barahona and then to Samana, taking gaguas locally. We even took the ferry across Samana Bay and then a bus to get to Boca Chica. Despite getting hustled at the dock, having to pay extra for luggage on this "local" bus, and the discomfort relative to Caribe Tours bus line, it was a good trip. Having Americanos take the bus was a unique experiance for some folks. Somehow, we are not seen as being adventuresome. Perhaps that is due to the package deal resort compounds that like to scare tourists into believing the DR is as bad as Jamaica.