rent a car deal

[Loren]

I am looking for una ganga (a deal) on a rental car for next week (Thursday to Wednesday) I am trying to see if I can do better than the prices they charge at the airport. I dont care if it is from a company or individual. I will be in the Santo Domingo - San Pedro area. I am already experienced in driving in the Dominican Republic.

Any ideas?

 

[Michelle]

Hi Loren

Try AutoCentral Del Este in San Pedro.

Michelle

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Beware. Many of the rental vehicles you may encounter at lower prices may not be well maintained, as a friend of mine who has rented from a variety of companies across the country has informed me. I suggest you use the link below. They have many locations throughout the country and my experience is that they are very reasonable and much cheaper than Avis. When making an inquiry, get it in writing whether or not they will require you to purchase "their" insurance or if you can use coverage provided by your credit card.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

 

[Loren]

thanx jim, I already tried national (as they ae heavily advertised on this site) and they are about US$100 more expensive than Avis !!! Once I rented a car down there from "Florida Rent-a-car" and it wasnt too bad. Another time I rented one from National. The only thing expensive in the DR are the rental cars. As long as it runs, I dont care too much. For $40 a day, I could get a taxista to be a "chofer."

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Taxi for US$40 per day? I don't know about that. You'll pay that for a 3 hour drive. US$40 is a decent price for a NEW rental car in the DR. You don't want to break down on the countryside. It could knock an entire day out of your trip, as has happened to a friend of mine.

Getting a good car from a reliable company is very important. Cars on long trips that are not well maintained overheat down in the Caribbean heat and sometimes brakes and transmissions are bad. And if you have a problem, you better be dealing with a company that will take care of it (like sending you a replacement vehicle wherever you happen to be).

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

 

[Loren]

I did have a car break down on me in the middle of the jungle between Santiago and Puerto Plata once. It made for an interesting day!

But I also have been able to negotiate in the capital for a taxi for all day for around $40-50 dollars, though it was not one of the pristine tourist taxis. I think the guy was like an independent operator or something.

 

[Taxi Master]

Good Deal

I've visited the Dominican Republic many times in the past two years and have found the local taxi rate to be 100 pesos per hour. So for 8 hours of use, the cost would be 800 pesos, roughly $50 US. With this comes someone who knows where he's going (most of the time) and no worries about parking, insurance, accidents, and the like. But, if your set on renting a car there, last week my friend rented a brand new mini 4x4, I think it was a Dyhatsui or something like that for $50 US a day including everything from a place near the airport. I'm not sure of the name or location. I will post it when I find out. Oh and by the way I don't have any affiliation with this rental company and only post information that is current and accurate.

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Re: Good Deal

See the below image for established taxi rates from Boca Chica. See <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Surf/1952">http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Surf/1952</A>/ for another example. Rates are similar in Santo Domingo. I found the prices to be on average, at least double the RD$100/hr. quote. If you are able to find a better price, you have done well.

While you may be able to negotiate a lower rate, it is about 8 hours round trip from Boca Chica to Puerto Plata and you won't find that for any US$50. Note the posted price for the trip is US$140. Also note that from Boca Chica to Santo Domingo and back is between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and where in Santo Domingo and that will run you RD$500, or about US$32.

I recently hired taxis to take long distance trips from La Romana to Punta Cana and back and was unable to nogotiate a price below RD$900, a trip that was under 4 hours round trip. Below RD$900, there were no takers.

National Car Rental as a place right outside the airport and rents brand new 4x4's for about US$50/day. They are small, perhaps large enough for 2 people plus some basic luggage or 4 people and no luggage.

For the exception (which you skillfully were able to find), see Taxi Dave (1-809-687-3720, david.santos@codetel.net.do, <A HREF="http://www.ka.net/jboone/taxidave">http://www.ka.net/jboone/taxidave</A>/). He has been known to do trips close to the price you quote.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

 

[Taxi Master]

Tourist Prices from Boca Chica

The art of bargining is alive and well in the Dominican Republic, like many other places throughout the world. I happen to be fimilar with the sign that Jim Hinsch displayed. Those are the actual advertized prices at a taxi stand in Boca Chica. For those prices you get a brand new mid size tourist taxi or minivan with air conditioning. Like everything else in life, depending on the quality of the product in question and your ability to negotiate, will dictate the final selling price. It's good to get as many views as possible on a subject. It's up to the reader to sort through the information and take bits from each article deemed useful. Oh by the way, I almost forgot, there's an American Fellow who drives people around the Island for $100 pesos an hour. His name is Taxi Dave. I believe you can get his number from Jim.

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Re: Tourist Prices from Boca Chica

Taxi's Dave's contact info was given in the previous message. He just went on vacation to Costa Rica and I'm not sure if he is back yet.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

 

[Loren]

Re: Tourist Prices from Boca Chica

"Fijate," (hahaha)

The last time I was in RD (May) I had to get to San Pedro from Santo Domingo. I was able to negotiate after much friendly fussing, an official (the beige colored tourist ones) guagua minivan taxi to San Pedro, a 1 hour wait and return, for RD$600 (about $40 US) plus a bowl of home cooked Sancocho in San Pedro. This was about 3 hours of time, altogether, and about 70 miles, more or less, round trip.

[the "taxista" did fall asleep while driving on the way back, and I had to wake him up before we crashed! ....must have been the sancocho.]

 

[victor]

Loren I have rented cars many times. I have found that making your deal from the US you can get the best deal. I usually rent from the national companys. MY last trip in Nov. Irented an economy car from avis for 27 US per day. Get on line and check as many of the rates as you can. Also if you have a gold card your ins is covered. good luck vic

 

[Jim Hinsch]

There are many "deals" to be had. The best price may not be the best deal. Be sure to find out the condition of the vehicles ahead of time (year, mileage, etc.). Verify that they will accept credit card insurance coverage because even though your card may provide coverage, they may not accept it. Get it in writing. Also note that if you must drive on unpaved roads, many credit card insurance does not cover this.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM