Best Car Rental Company & Directions

bandida10 said:

Hey All,

Would it be less expensive to rent a car or take the bus? (There are 4 of us going, one Domincano, but I just wanted to get some feedback from others).
Thanks!

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No question that the bus (guagua) is less expensive. Leaves from Central Park in Puerto Plata every 15 minutes. POP-Rio San Juan is 80 pesos/person. Slightly more expensive but more comfortable would be a combination of public taxis. Puerto Plata-Sosua then Sosua-Rio San Juan.

Public transportation in the DR is very inexpensive.

There are numerous options for car rental companies, and I'm sure your response to who is the "best" will be all over the map, based on each persons anecdotal experience.

My "strategy" has always been to use Travelocity or Expedia to search for the best rate for the time frame and type of car I want. I then go to the website of the company with the lowest rate and book through them. If they have an office in the city (not the airport) I pick the car up there to avoid location fees. I have rented from Avis, Budget, Hertz and National using this method, and have no complaints. I once used Adventure (local company) because their rate for an SUV was lower and I was planning on traveling some roads which required a 4wd. I was not impressed.

POP airport to Rio San Juan is about a 90 minute drive. They have done a lot of work on the North coast highway, and it is actually in pretty good shape.

sweetdbt said:

I once used Adventure (local company) because their rate for an SUV was lower and I was planning on traveling some roads which required a 4wd. I was not impressed.

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I rent exclusively from Adventurecar, and they have always been very responsive to all my needs, including the occasional road-created problem.

Gipsy's customer service is great!

You have very good rental company,at very low price. It's Universal Rent a Car company which is located in Cabarete main street.

HOWMAR said:

Puerto Plata-Sosua then Sosua-Rio San Juan.

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How far is Rio San Juan from Sosua, and roughly how much time does it take to get there?

rellosk said:

How far is Rio San Juan from Sosua, and roughly how much time does it take to get there?

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MY guesstimate is about 30 miles. An hour roughly.

im looking to rent a car for 2 weeks aug 8-22, avis told me they have the latest car (im trying to rent a jetta) do they have the latest jetta or is it old? any other trustedc ompanies in santiago to rent with.

domenico said:

im looking to rent a car for 2 weeks aug 8-22, avis told me they have the latest car (im trying to rent a jetta) do they have the latest jetta or is it old? any other trustedc ompanies in santiago to rent with.

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I saw this and have to reply..

The first trip i ever made on my own to the DR, where I was going to rent a car, I flew into STI and I was going to rent with AVIS. I had arrainged everythign ahead and planned so well. And the car was a 2006 VW Jetta. I actually went to the VW dealer here to see if I fit into it ( I am 6'3") and I fit fine. But dont ya know the plane lands 2.5 hours late, and AVIS is closed for the night 11 pm!!!! the only place open is Savings rental car and so i rent a big older Mitsubishi LIMITED. good thing....three days later I broad sided a huge horse that broke away from a guy walking it as I approached....since the front end of this limited was so high, I broke the horses shoulder and he bounced off.....smashed the front end a bunch.

If I had that Jetta, that horse would have rolled over the hood right into my lap......fate.....thats my STI, AVIS, Jetta story... ha ha ha


I have rented an SUV every trip since( 16 times)

bob

so it was confirmed that you would get a 2006 jetta, are you sure?

domenico said:

so it was confirmed that you would get a 2006 jetta, are you sure?

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In the DR the only possible means of confirmation...is actually sitting in the car!!!!ha ha ha

abd so I never got to confirm that.....they love to promise you the moon and deliver a trip to the Poconos instead..ha ha ha

bob

daggg i claled they told me 05-06 i dont believe them ohh well the price is good with tax