Compare Dominican Republic car hire

While renting a car in the Dominican Republic isn’t for the faint-hearted, it will give you access to parts of the country that other tourists simply can’t reach.

Independent spirits eager to get off the beaten path can explore tiny villages, secluded bays, hidden waterfalls and staggering viewpoints, leaving the crowds of Punta Cana well behind. Join them, and you’ll find some of the best traditional restaurants, meet the locals, and probably dodge a fair few donkeys along the way.

Language: Peso | Currency: Cuban Converible peso (CUC) | Avg. Flight time: 9 hrs

Driving in the Dominican Republic is a real adventure, but the rules of the road can be sketchy at best, so you’ll need to be on high alert at all times. The key highways are well maintained, but the smaller roads are often riddled with deep potholes.

If you’ve never experienced driving in a different culture before, it might be safer, and significantly less stressful, to stick to public transport. However, if you’re a confident driver determined to get behind the wheel, it’s very easy to rent a car in the Dominican Republic from both the airports and main resorts.

If you’re planning to pick up your hire car from the airport in Punta Cana, Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo, you’ll find several big international players vying for your business, including Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Budget and Europcar. The highways that run between the airports and main resorts are in pretty good nick, so your first journey should go smoothly.

To save time and get cheap car hire in the Dominican Republic, book in advance, comparing prices and checking for any hidden extras. The cheapest car rental deals in the Dominican Republic begin from as little as US$35 per day, so don’t pay more than you should.

Driving isn’t always the brightest idea after long-haul flight, especially if you have trouble sleeping on planes. So why not give yourself a break after the journey by hopping in a taxi to your hotel on arrival and collecting your Dominican Republic car rental from your resort the following day?

Many companies will deliver your rental car straight to your hotel door, while others have offices in all of the Dominican Republic’s major resorts, such as Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.

1. Don’t drive at night. Just don’t. There is often very little lighting on the road and drunk driving is worryingly widespread, so even the safest highways can become treacherous after dark.
   
   
2. Be prepared to lose mobile phone coverage if you’re heading into the hidden reaches of the Dominican Republic. Driving is an off-grid business around much of the central mountain belt, so carry a map, ask the locals and stay calm if you get lost.
   
   
3. Never park under a palm tree. Falling coconuts can cause all kinds of costly damage to your hire car, putting a huge dent in your bonnet and your holiday cocktail fund.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.