Blackbeards Resort

[AntFarm99]

Thank you all for the information. I was planning to rent a car from BB to Sosua for a day. I will rethink my plans.

[Bone Yard]

Jenny's (the supermarket in Costambar) has a vehicle for rent. Unfortunately I do not know any of the details, rates, etc.

Is there a place in Costambar, Puerto Plata to rent a car if you wanted to maybe drive to Sosua for a day? Is it recommended or is there a better option?

[Sammon]

Wow. Very different experiences. Complete opposite.

Still, I can only imagine that renting from "Papi Chulo" Rental Cars would be worse. Budget in US was very helpful, and VISA credit card service insurance covered me as well. Like I said, I turned it in at the airport, initiated paperwork, got back home, and finished the process at home.

I'd rather argue with a US representative than a Dominican.

P.S.
To all others: always buy the extra insurance. A gringo driving in the DR is risky business for a number of reasons. Driving is convenient, but if I can avoid it, I usually do.

I always buy full insurance when I rent a car even though my credit card covers comprehensive coverage up to $25,000. The cost of insurance tend double up the cost of renting but I have peace of mind going anywhere.

Renting a car has definite advantages. Pick up a girl anywhere, not just in Sosua.

[Yanqui69]

I understand what you are saying. I used to use Budget and the car I wrecked was from them. My experience is that whenever you call the US number those people put you on hold and call the owner in Santo Domingo. When I wrecked the car, US Budget had nothing to do with it. Santo Domingo Budget never sent the paperwork to American Express so the car never got paid for. These days if you refuse their insurance in DR they will not rent the car to you. If you call and complain to the US corporate they will tell you there is nothing they can do about it. Been there done that. That is why me and my friends no longer rent there.

Wow. Very different experiences. Complete opposite.

Still, I can only imagine that renting from "Papi Chulo" Rental Cars would be worse. Budget in US was very helpful, and VISA credit card service insurance covered me as well. Like I said, I turned it in at the airport, initiated paperwork, got back home, and finished the process at home.

I'd rather argue with a US representative than a Dominican.

P.S.
To all others: always buy the extra insurance. A gringo driving in the DR is risky business for a number of reasons. Driving is convenient, but if I can avoid it, I usually do.

[Chris561]

Sorry this got long: but I feel a responsibility to this community to provide a full and detailed report since many of you helped me pan my trip and offered your time, knowledge and experience to help me have a solid trip. Thank you to those who helped me- I hope this at least entertains you and at most helps you in some way:

Landed in Santo Domingo and was picked up by a taxi driving friend of a friend that I had set up. He took me to Zona Colonial to a hotel he suggested. 50 bucks-just a 1 minute walk from Pizzarella right in the heart of the Colonial Zone.

Walked around a bit, got some pizza, got approached by a couple of skinny but dirty looking pseudo crack working girls who were working the streets. One was kinda hot-but just felt like a walking STD so I ignored her approach as best I could. Later that night, I walked to Oases strip club--probably not a good idea to walk there alone at night- but I move very fast and am on my game- but I would not suggest walking alone--there are definitely some sketch balls on the streets and its not very safe. At 930 PM the place was mostly dead. One fairly hot lady came out-tall, blonde, but not really my type: though I am sure many would have gone for it. I bailed out within a few minutes of being there and luckily a taxi drove by right as I walked out, so I took the taxi back to the hotel. I wasn't hoping for any action as I was heading to Barba Negra the next day so I wanted to save my energy..

Excellent trip report brother. BB is definitely on my to visit list. I also completely agree with you on Medellin. I was just there and heading back there in December. Beautiful women all over.

C5.

[Mr Enternational]

I can only refer to my own experience. Rental car agencies in the US are local franchises, also. When I had an accident, I was renting through the Budget office at the POP airport. I was able to turn in the damaged car, initiate paperwork, and finish the paperwork with the parent company, Budget, in the US. I dealt ONLY with the PARENT company. After I left POP, I had no contact with the office in POP. The corporate parent dictates how the local franchise operates. No Dominican squeezing of the yankee tourist. Threats of delaying their departure, etc.

I can imagine a lot of nightmare scenarios if I had this experience with "Chulo's Rental Car. ".

I understand what you are saying. I used to use Budget and the car I wrecked was from them. My experience is that whenever you call the US number those people put you on hold and call the owner in Santo Domingo. When I wrecked the car, US Budget had nothing to do with it. Santo Domingo Budget never sent the paperwork to American Express so the car never got paid for. These days if you refuse their insurance in DR they will not rent the car to you. If you call and complain to the US corporate they will tell you there is nothing they can do about it. Been there done that. That is why me and my friends no longer rent there.

[Yanqui69]

Those are only large US companies by name. In the DR they are franchises and are not even governed by the rules of the parent company. So in essence they are local companies that only pay to use the recognizable name of the US company. In some cases the same person will own 2 of them. Eg. Rafael (made up name) being the dueno of Avis and Budget.

I can only refer to my own experience. Rental car agencies in the US are local franchises, also. When I had an accident, I was renting through the Budget office at the POP airport. I was able to turn in the damaged car, initiate paperwork, and finish the paperwork with the parent company, Budget, in the US. I dealt ONLY with the PARENT company. After I left POP, I had no contact with the office in POP. The corporate parent dictates how the local franchise operates. No Dominican squeezing of the yankee tourist. Threats of delaying their departure, etc.

I can imagine a lot of nightmare scenarios if I had this experience with "Chulo's Rental Car. ".

[Creideiki]

Great report! It certainly has raised my interest in Blackbeards as a future destination.

It sounds like your ability in Spanish opened some doors and prevented some trouble for you. I'm learning Spanish now.

Thanks for the report.

[Mr Enternational]

Just my two cents, but I would be very cautious about using a local rental agency.

Years ago, I had an accident caused by an idiot on a motoconcho, and Budget's insurance covered it, and I was able to complete the claim, etc, by email in the states.

If you deal with a large US company, you are safer than a local company that can cause a world of problems if something happens.

Those are only large US companies by name. In the DR they are franchises and are not even governed by the rules of the parent company. So in essence they are local companies that only pay to use the recognizable name of the US company. In some cases the same person will own 2 of them. Eg. Rafael (made up name) being the dueno of Avis and Budget.

[Yanqui69]

I have seen rental ad on my way to Jenny supermarket, I am not sure if this was just an ad or if rental office located right there. 300-500 feet from supermarket on the street leading to the main gate.

Ask BB by e-mail or at reception.

Just my two cents, but I would be very cautious about using a local rental agency.

Years ago, I had an accident caused by an idiot on a motoconcho, and Budget's insurance covered it, and I was able to complete the claim, etc, by email in the states.

If you deal with a large US company, you are safer than a local company that can cause a world of problems if something happens.

[Bliadun]

I have seen rental ad on my way to Jenny supermarket, I am not sure if this was just an ad or if rental office located right there. 300-500 feet from supermarket on the street leading to the main gate.

Ask BB by e-mail or at reception.

Is there a place in Costambar, Puerto Plata to rent a car if you wanted to maybe drive to Sosua for a day? Is it recommended or is there a better option?

[Tempoecorto]

He only wants the car for a day visit to Sosua.
If he is capable of taking a bike to the main road he could continue on it to the Parada de Sosua near the hospital and then take a publico to Sosua. Total cost about 250 pesos. Coming back, reverse the procedure but it would cost about 350 pesos at night-time.

You are right. Taking a motorbike to the Sosua terminus near the hospital is a smarter idea, and then a shared car all the way to Sosua, if his focus is on going to Sosua. If on the other hand, his focus is on rental, I was merely pointing out that while it affords him freedom, cost might be a handicap, what with insurance that most want. By the way, I notice that I see bigger and later model vehicles these days as taxis in the DR including Pto Pta -Sosua rides. The reign of the jalopies, otherwise known as Toyota Corollas are over, apparently.

[Charles Pooter]

If were him, I would take a bike from BB to the main road and grab a guagua to get to AVIS or whatever, all of which would not be more than 150 pesos or 3 dollars but like you did, only once he has a good grasp of the place and driving practice of others before renting and driving there.

He only wants the car for a day visit to Sosua.

If he is capable of taking a bike to the main road he could continue on it to the Parada de Sosua near the hospital and then take a publico to Sosua. Total cost about 250 pesos. Coming back, reverse the procedure but it would cost about 350 pesos at night-time.

A refinement on that would be to take a bike (or walk) to the main gate and see if the JC publico is waiting. Take that to the Parada de Sousa instead. If it is not, he could either wait for it (up to 20 minutes wait) or revert to plan A. This would not work in reverse because the JC stops running aroung 8 pm and I assume our friend will be coming back around midnight. He won't get the real flavor of Sosua unless he stays there that late.

[Tempoecorto]

Costambar is a gated subdivision. I think the closest place to rent a car is Avis on the main highway, which is closer to Field of Dreams. You may come out better renting a car when you arrive at the airport. If you take a taxi from the airport to BB, then back to Avis to rent a car, you have already spent what it would cost to rent the car for 3 days.

That is not true. A) the rate will depend on car type, b) cars at Avis and Hertz cost nothing less than 25/30 dollars per day plus many kinds of taxes and airport fees and I am speaking of the smallest kind, and finally c) often times the insurance costs are as high as rental, which most renters want. Even arguing that this renter feels like driving without knowing the lay of the land in an unknown territory, the rental costs would not be the same, gas included, not including the aggravation.

If were him, I would take a bike from BB to the main road and grab a guagua to get to AVIS or whatever, all of which would not be more than 150 pesos or 3 dollars but like you did, only once he has a good grasp of the place and driving practice of others before renting and driving there.

[Mr Enternational]

Is there a place in Costambar, Puerto Plata to rent a car if you wanted to maybe drive to Sosua for a day? Is it recommended or is there a better option?

Costambar is a gated subdivision. I think the closest place to rent a car is Avis on the main highway, which is closer to Field of Dreams. You may come out better renting a car when you arrive at the airport. If you take a taxi from the airport to BB, then back to Avis to rent a car, you have already spent what it would cost to rent the car for 3 days.