Car Rental in SD

[DAKRA]

Hey All

I am not ready to rent a car for the duration of my 2 week trip to Santo Domingo. However, I was thinking of renting for 1 or 2 days. Anyone know of a place near the Jaragua Hotel or someplace close in that area to rent for 1 or 2 days?

Looking for a reputable place that is not that expensive

Has anyone rented for 1 or 2 weeks? - What is the price for a small cheapy car? - Need I take all of the insurances etc?

Thanksgre:

 

[bigbird]

..............Anyone know of a place near the Jaragua Hotel or someplace close in that area to rent for 1 or 2 days?...............

Alamo/National is on the corner of Independencia and Maximo Gomez. There are a few others closer to Jaragua but I can't remember the names. You can pick up a car at Maximo Gomez and drop it off at the airport with no extra charge.

If you use a CC that provides free CDW you will only need to get Third Party Liability at $5 day. A compact will cost $40 -$45 a day. Please don't rent the cheapest car they have. You will be sorry.

 

[bigbird]

No cheapies..........

I went the cheap route twice, never again. I ended up with these two little minis. Roll down windows, no CD player, can barely seat three adults, tough time doing 100 kph. Luggage? Where do you put it? Only good thing they were cheap on gas.

 

[sepahunt22]

Hey All

I am not ready to rent a car for the duration of my 2 week trip to Santo Domingo. However, I was thinking of renting for 1 or 2 days. Anyone know of a place near the Jaragua Hotel or someplace close in that area to rent for 1 or 2 days?

Looking for a reputable place that is not that expensive

Has anyone rented for 1 or 2 weeks? - What is the price for a small cheapy car? - Need I take all of the insurances etc?

Thanksgre:

When you pick the car up be sure to take pictures of the car and/or video tape it, walking around it and filming all sides as best you can.

During both of my trips to the DR this year the rental companies at POP airport (EuropCar & National) tried to accuse me of damaging the vehicle when I returned it, blaming me for scratches that were already present, but when I showed them digital photos and camcorder footage they suddenly changed their minds in addition to being very unpleasantly surprised.

I have done this for years, even when I rent in the states, although I've never had problems in the states, yet.

It's worth the small trouble and the shocked looks on the face of the liars and would be con-artists is PRICELESS.

 

[Bryanell]

Try Alpha on Independencia, not far from the Jaragua, I don't remember exactly where but it's near a gas station and there's some kind of medical centre on the other side.

I rented a Mitsubishi Lancer there last year, not one of the greatest cars, but family sized and economical enough.

 

[rubio_higuey]

Nelly and Alamo/National and I think Dollar are close by

 

[Bryanell]

Correction

Try Alpha on Independencia, not far from the Jaragua, I don't remember exactly where but it's near a gas station and there's some kind of medical centre on the other side.

I rented a Mitsubishi Lancer there last year, not one of the greatest cars, but family sized and economical enough.

Apologies; the company I was trying to remember yesterday is not called Alpha, but ADVANTAGE

It's at Independencia 506 in Gazcue, telephone 809 685 4000, they also have a branch at the airport 809 549 0536

 

[Bellamona]

I've used Nelly on Independencia - I think 2 days ran about $100 for a small but comfortable car.
I used one of the cheap independent guys once and NEVER will do that again - car felt apart at every curve which is how we discovered the taped/tied-on body parts. Plus they wanted me to leave my passport with them in their "safe" while I had the rental - of course I didn't. A friend left them a piece of documentation that had no real value. Just to be safe, I called my credit card company before returning the car to the cheap guy and told them NOT to accept any charges from XXX company.

Moral of the story - use a name brand - have fun

 

[DAKRA]

Great! Any more suggestions????

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have been to the DR/SD many times. Everytime that I go, I never rent a car. I always use my buddy who is a taxi driver.

I am still wondering if I should rent a car or not. Here is my dilema: aranoid:

My buddy who is a taxi driver, charges me $30 each trip to the airport and back. (He is a nice guy so I usually give him $40 each way)

I use the local AutoBus / Public Taxi to travel to the Colonial Zone 1 or 2 times per day - Average cost is about $1 (or $14 for 2 weeks)

I take the Express Bus to San Cristobal or Haina about 6 times over two weeks (about $20 on the average)

Maybe a trip or two to Boca Chica (about $20) over about 2 weeks

(Almost embarrased to say, but) Maybe 2 trips to a Cabanna over 2 weeks ($40 for 2 Round Trips) :devious:

So, with this in mind, do I dare rent a car or just use the local transportation?

Part of me says YES, because I am free to come and go when I am ready, BUT...... The other part says NO, because of the way the locals drive (fast and dangerous) and the awful condition of the roads, and the possibility of damange or theft of the vehicle.

Suggestions aranoid:

 

[jalencastro]

DAKRA, i agree where you are coming from but with all that driving I prefer to do it myself. If your instinct says differently then stick to what you are doing, but nothing beats being able to drive yourself freely when you want! from what i read though [and i spend my time in the same places as you] the roads arent that bad from Bani to SD and then to Boca Chica, done this route dozens of times no problems, just keep your eyes open if anything. i agree though with being afraid of vehicle theft....so far i have had no horror stories!
good luck in any case!

 

[jalencastro]

I went the cheap route twice, never again. I ended up with these two little minis. Roll down windows, no CD player, can barely seat three adults, tough time doing 100 kph. Luggage? Where do you put it? Only good thing they were cheap on gas.

i rented this exact same car last year in MAY, no room for my damn luggage...great on gas, try driving that with 4 people in there! LOL i managed!
but VERY SCARY in rain! the tires are like 13inches and the car hydroplaned all over! im lucky to be alive! gre:

 

[Robert]

Remember, gas is around RD$198 (US$5.80) per gallon.

Saying that...

A car gives you a lot more freedom and you are not tired to bus schedules, taxi's etc.
If it's within your budget, I'd recommend a car, it just makes life so much more enjoyable here, your go places and do things you never would normally do.

 

[jalencastro]

I hear you Robert, gas is expensive....and i am planning on doing LOTS of driving when i am back and will be watching my budget closely!
i tire easily with bus schedules and love to drive around the island and see places never before visited!

 

[DAKRA]

Great Replies - Here is what VISA said....

I called my Credit Card company today (VISA) and they told me....

All damages to the car covered but NO Liability Coverage is in force.

I must pay the rental car company the entire rental balance with my credit card. (no brainer...)

Only covers me driving or those who are actually listed on the contract.

Coverage WAS good for the DR.

They gave me a telephone number to call or have the rental agent call if their were questions.

**
All in All, I feel pretty good about renting for a few days during my trip, but I am not too kene on the driving in the DR. - - I have been to many many countries around the globe and the DR ranks #2 for me for agressive driving.... #1, India - #2, Dominican Republic - #3, Egypt

I think I am going to rent at the airport and drive to my hotel. I will keep the car for about 3 days only. I wonder if I can drop it off at the location in SD near the Jaragua without any extra charge....?

thanks all
:cheeky:

 

[bigbird]

I called my Credit Card company today (VISA) and they told me..............All damages to the car covered but NO Liability Coverage is in force.........

You can request that Visa email you a document detailing the coverage. I did this with MasterCard and within a few hours I received the document.

........... I wonder if I can drop it off at the location in SD near the Jaragua without any extra charge....?.........

If you are renting from Alamo/National there is no extra charge to drop the vehicle off at the Independencia and Maximo Gomez location. Once you drop the vehicle off you can take a publico back to Jaragua Hotel/Casino.

You can book online at.......Alamo Rent A Car - Discount Rental Cars, Vacation Car Rental Deals

 

[wuarhat]

Europcar on Independencia and Payless on George Washington are also near your Hotel. Europcar's counter is located in the airport lobby and Payless has a shuttle which you have to call (809) 549-8911 for.

 

[wuarhat]

By the way. Stay away from the intersection of Maximo Gomez and 27 de Febrero after dark. Maybe it's just me but I've been stopped shortly after going through it a half dozen times in the last two years. It seems to me to be a favorite hangout of the bribe hunting cops in grey uniforms that drive the white cars with red and blue trim. If you don't heed this advice you'll likely have to spend fifteen minutes denying whatever charge they cook up. If you didn't have to be there it would be really funny watching them try to convince you that anybody gives a **** how anybody drives in this town or whether the safety equipment on any of the cars works. Just keep denying the charges, ignore any suggestions they make about paying money, and after about fifteen minutes they start to get a little bit more friendly and shortly thereafter hand back all your paperwork and tell you to screw.

 

[michela0022]

I just wanted to let you know that last week I rented a car from Ozavi rental on av. las americas no.66 casi esq venezuela for 2 days and I paid US $105. I had a small four door kia which drove wonderfully. I went from Santo Domingo to Cotui then Santiago to San Jose de las Matas and had no problems. I was skeptical at first to rent a car but it was well worth it. At ozavi rental the service was great quick and easy.

 

[Bellamona]

Nelly

Just rented a brand new Kia something-or-other (Piccolo?) today for 2 days. $100. Drives well and is so new it still has the plastic on the seats. Straight off the boat. Heading to Cabarete tomorrow - hopefully will find Rocky's for a fria.