General Info

[Mr Gogo]

I've been to the Dominican about 10 times, but I've never rented a car there and I haven't been on the highway between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in probably a decade, so I don't know the conditions, etc. I've heard there's a new, excellent highway between Punta Cana and La Romana and / or San Pedro. Coral Highway?

I speak fairly good Spanish and will have one large suitcase. (Do those guaguas have storage for luggage? I know those run from La Romana and San Pedro to Santo Domingo, but in the pictures they all look like converted schoolbuses with only rooftop storage, which I have no interest in using).

I'll be landing in Punta Cana right as it's getting dark and I need to get to La Romana that night, so I might not have a choice about driving in the dark that first 30 miles. But I'll keep your warning in mind if I drive further west. Does your warning apply even to the highway between San Pedro and Santo Domingo? That looks like a 75-minute drive but all on the same road, and I wouldn't be driving in Santo Domingo at all.) Thanks.

The road is fairly new from Punta Cana to San Pedro but you also have the toll road bypasses that avoid the cities like La Romana. The toll roads are mostly deserted so have change. My advice would be to gas up and get the personal cell phone number from someone who works at the checkout counter in case of a problem. The drive is pretty smooth but watch out for hookers on the side of the road between San Pedro and Boca chica.

[Mr Enternational]

I'll be landing in Punta Cana right as it's getting dark and I need to get to La Romana that night, so I might not have a choice about driving in the dark that first 30 miles. But I'll keep your warning in mind if I drive further west. Does your warning apply even to the highway between San Pedro and Santo Domingo? That looks like a 75-minute drive but all on the same road, and I wouldn't be driving in Santo Domingo at all.) Thanks.

I have driven that route plenty of times but only a few at night. If I am not mistaken, there is lighting throughout much of it. And like you said, the highway is fairly new. Just be sure to have some cash on you because there are 2 toll booths.

[JL Miami]

It's fairly easy to make the bus connection from PUJ to Santo Domingo but first you need to supply some valuable information. Is this your first DR visit? How is your Spanish? How much luggage will you have?

I've been to the Dominican about 10 times, but I've never rented a car there and I haven't been on the highway between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in probably a decade, so I don't know the conditions, etc. I've heard there's a new, excellent highway between Punta Cana and La Romana and / or San Pedro. Coral Highway?

I speak fairly good Spanish and will have one large suitcase. (Do those guaguas have storage for luggage? I know those run from La Romana and San Pedro to Santo Domingo, but in the pictures they all look like converted schoolbuses with only rooftop storage, which I have no interest in using).

I also drive frequently in the DR but never at night. It's too many traps that come out way when " gringo driving at night". From potholes that ruin wheels that you never see coming to bandits waiting for a drunk gringo. Not to mention the cops trying to get rich on a gringo slipping at night.

I'll be landing in Punta Cana right as it's getting dark and I need to get to La Romana that night, so I might not have a choice about driving in the dark that first 30 miles. But I'll keep your warning in mind if I drive further west. Does your warning apply even to the highway between San Pedro and Santo Domingo? That looks like a 75-minute drive but all on the same road, and I wouldn't be driving in Santo Domingo at all.) Thanks.

[JL Miami]

I rented a car one time in the DR and will never do it again. IYou are responsible for any ding or chip which is very posible on the DR roads. I have been to the DR over 20 times and have enjoyed every trip without renting cars. Mr E once totaled a car in the DR and has done some things sane people would not consider. I use the local services and get to everywhere I need with little trouble. Caribe Tours and Metro bus are 1st rate and cheap. Most times I do not know dtirections or where to park. I like to keep things simple. To each his own.

This is the problem: Caribe and Metro don't operate between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, except by charter.

[OldKool]

I rented a car one time in the DR and will never do it again. IYou are responsible for any ding or chip which is very posible on the DR roads. I have been to the DR over 20 times and have enjoyed every trip without renting cars. Mr E once totaled a car in the DR and has done some things sane people would not consider. I use the local services and get to everywhere I need with little trouble. Caribe Tours and Metro bus are 1st rate and cheap. Most times I do not know dtirections or where to park. I like to keep things simple. To each his own.

Thanks for the reply. Not sure if it's inflation or because it's a busier time for rentals, but I haven't been able to find a one-way fee lower than $75 to $99, at least at the bigger-name rental companies. (The book-round trip trick is interesting thanks.).

Some of the rental sites say that CDW is required in the D. R. I have credit cards that are supposed to cover rental insurance, so would that qualify, or do I need to pay for insurance anyway?

I'd only be driving from Punta Cana to the eastern edge of Santo Domingo, so maybe I'll brave it and rent a car if I can find a rental that isn't crazy expensive. Have you ever driven the highway from San Pedro to Santo Domingo after dark?

Thanks again.

[NamasteParis]

Some of the rental sites say that CDW is required in the D. R. I have credit cards that are supposed to cover rental insurance, so would that qualify, or do I need to pay for insurance anyway?

I rented a car 2 weeks ago at Bavaro to go to La Romana, then Boca chica, Bayahibe, and then back to Punta Cana Airport (PUJ).

I rented through the concierge service of VISA Infinite, as it is cheaper. But if you don't have such service, it's better to book your car on the website than go to the office, you'll have better price. Also be aware that once the booking is made, you can call them to have your car delivered at your place, for free. It's not explained anywhere, but they do it!

Rental car office was AVIS: very pro, and no rip off.

My car was the smallest: KIA PICANTO, with radio and aircon. Mileage was 35.000 Km, and the car was like new. Full tank at delivery.

Even with a top bank card like Visa Infinite or AMEX Platinum, you should ALWAYS take the following insurances, that are NOT covered by the bank card, wherever you go:

LIA (liability) and PAI (Personal Accident Insurance).

AVIS quoted PAI 5,50 US $ / day and LIA 16 US $/ day.

Total cost for 5 days with pickup / return different places: 275 US $, then 55 $/ day, all included.

Don't be cheap with these insurances, they can save your life!

Regarding the roads between Punta Cana and SD, they are quite desert highways, in very good conditions. The danger is to fall asleep hahaha!

MR Gogo is right: never drive at night.

[JL Miami]

A car is a must for me in DR. That first time of taking the bus from Boca Chica to Sosua was enough for me. A lot of people are afraid to rent cars for whatever reason. Even though you do not see many accidents, Dominicans are crazy drivers. From Punta Cana to Boca Chica there is nothing but open road though.

If you are doing a one way from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo there is around a $60 surcharge for dropping off at a different location. The farther you go the more it is supposed to be. I have rented with different companies and I have noticed that many times if I made the reservation saying that I would return it at the same place, but ended up returning it at a different place, then I was not charged the extra fee.

Thanks for the reply. Not sure if it's inflation or because it's a busier time for rentals, but I haven't been able to find a one-way fee lower than $75 to $99, at least at the bigger-name rental companies. (The book-round trip trick is interesting — thanks.).

Some of the rental sites say that CDW is required in the D. R. I have credit cards that are supposed to cover rental insurance, so would that qualify, or do I need to pay for insurance anyway?

I'd only be driving from Punta Cana to the eastern edge of Santo Domingo, so maybe I'll brave it and rent a car if I can find a rental that isn't crazy expensive. Have you ever driven the highway from San Pedro to Santo Domingo after dark?

Thanks again.

[Mr Gogo]

I know buses are easy, and rental cars thus ill-advised, for the north-south Puerto Plata / Santiago / Santo Domingo corridor, but what about the Punta Cana / La Romana / San Pedro / Santo Domingo corridor along the southern coast? I'm flying into Punta Cana and I've yet to find a single reliable-looking bus company that travels that route on a non-charter basis. (I'm flying out of Santiago, so I only need one-way transportation from Punta Cana to La Romana and then Santo Domingo; I'll catch the bus north from Santo Domingo).

Anyone have input or recent experience? Gracias..

It's fairly easy to make the bus connection from PUJ to Santo Domingo but first you need to supply some valuable information. Is this your first DR visit? How is your Spanish? How much luggage will you have?

I also drive frequently in the DR but never at night. It's too many traps that come out way when " gringo driving at night". From potholes that ruin wheels that you never see coming to bandits waiting for a drunk gringo. Not to mention the cops trying to get rich on a gringo slipping at night.

[Tempoecorto]

I know buses are easy, and rental cars thus ill-advised, for the north-south Puerto Plata / Santiago / Santo Domingo corridor, but what about the Punta Cana / La Romana / San Pedro / Santo Domingo corridor along the southern coast?

Never been to Punta Cana but I am aware of a bus line called Bavaro Express that run from that area to the Capital, many times each day. I presume you can check that on the web.

On a related note, your daily rate of 40 dollars per day of rental will more than double once you added the 18% or so of taxes, airport fees and most importantly, the insurance. Personally, I drive across the island but did not do that on my maiden trip and unless you are used to driving in third world countries, I would not recommend it until you get a hang of the place. My two cents!

[Mr Enternational]

I know buses are easy, and rental cars thus ill-advised, for the north-south Puerto Plata / Santiago / Santo Domingo corridor, but what about the Punta Cana / La Romana / San Pedro / Santo Domingo corridor along the southern coast? I'm flying into Punta Cana and I've yet to find a single reliable-looking bus company that travels that route on a non-charter basis. (I'm flying out of Santiago, so I only need one-way transportation from Punta Cana to La Romana and then Santo Domingo; I'll catch the bus north from Santo Domingo).

Anyone have input or recent experience? Gracias..

A car is a must for me in DR. That first time of taking the bus from Boca Chica to Sosua was enough for me. A lot of people are afraid to rent cars for whatever reason. Even though you do not see many accidents, Dominicans are crazy drivers. From Punta Cana to Boca Chica there is nothing but open road though.

If you are doing a one way from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo there is around a $60 surcharge for dropping off at a different location. The farther you go the more it is supposed to be. I have rented with different companies and I have noticed that many times if I made the reservation saying that I would return it at the same place, but ended up returning it at a different place, then I was not charged the extra fee.

[JL Miami]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't. The intercity buses are excellent, ...

I know buses are easy, and rental cars thus ill-advised, for the north-south Puerto Plata / Santiago / Santo Domingo corridor, but what about the Punta Cana / La Romana / San Pedro / Santo Domingo corridor along the southern coast? I'm flying into Punta Cana and I've yet to find a single reliable-looking bus company that travels that route on a non-charter basis. (I'm flying out of Santiago, so I only need one-way transportation from Punta Cana to La Romana and then Santo Domingo; I'll catch the bus north from Santo Domingo).

Anyone have input or recent experience? Gracias..

[PuntingGeorge]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I will be visiting the DR from the 11 to the 16 of December. I am trying to decide if it is worth to rent a car. Rental cars are pretty cheap at less than $40 per day. I would like to visit Blackbeards, Sosua and Santo Domingo (appreciate any suggestions). I would like to explore some attractions too. While using the bus is OK with me, maybe renting a car allows me to visit more places. What do you guys thing about this?

Thanks for your recommendations.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't. The intercity buses are excellent, very cheap and surprisingly modern and comfortable. Getting between Sosua and BB is simple by taking the publico from Sosua to Puerto Plata then getting an Uber to BB, at a total journey cost of around $5.

Yes, it's convenient to have your own car outside your hotel and not have to share or wait on taxis etc but hard to justify $200 car rental and driving round an unfamiliar country, when the other options and so cheap and simple.

I'll be in SD on the 11th. If you'll be there then, send me a pm and will be happy to grab a beer with you.

[RickyPR]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I will be visiting the DR from the 11 to the 16 of December. I am trying to decide if it is worth to rent a car. Rental cars are pretty cheap at less than $40 per day. I would like to visit Blackbeards, Sosua and Santo Domingo (appreciate any suggestions). I would like to explore some attractions too. While using the bus is OK with me, maybe renting a car allows me to visit more places. What do you guys thing about this?

Thanks for your recommendations.

[PuntingGeorge]

Hi folks,

I am thinking of making a trip down to DR during Christmas and in particular to one of the sex resorts. DRNights, Oxygen, BlueParadise or Senses. Does anyone have recommendations on which one is worth the while and $$? I realize that these resorts are going to be priced higher than Blackbeards or FOD but I'm thinking I might have to do a little more homework with BB / FOD (because they are not all-inclusive) which I currently don't have much time for. Any input is appreciated.

As another random thought, would it be more worth it to go to Costa Rica and the DelRay instead of DR?

Thanks in advance.

I was in Sosua for Christmas last year and it was extremely quiet. I was at BB a few weeks ago and concur with Boriman, you can't go wrong there. Everything is laid out for you. Food, accommodation and plenty of chicas. As he suggested, email them and ask what their rota will be like over that period. As much as chicas like to go home then, there are plenty who need cash, so I'm sure BB will keep a reasonable shift available.

Don't bother with resorts, I was considering one for my first trip to the DR last year. Almost coughed up thousands in advance, before discovering the Sosua forum. Went there instead. Best decision I've ever made. Spent 20% of what I would have at a resort and didn't want for anything.

[Boriman]

Well Raj25,

With Blackbeards the prices are fixed (ask the front desk) and there is always someone who can speak English and translate for you. You can be blunt with the chicas since they have heard it all from the other guys. Blackbeards is quite easy. If you do not like to leave the reservation this is the place to go. You do not need to do any homework.

As for DRnights, Oxygen and all those other places from my experience they are just ripping you off. FOD is a waste of time.

Now moving along to Costa Rica and the Del Ray. For my tastes I've found the chicas more attractive but I also moved around to the massage parlors and other places in this country so I was not limiting myself. Homework is necessary.

As for going during Christmas I cannot say. Why not email Blackbeards and ask them about chicas being around during the time you are in DR? Also, they used to have a book with the chicas pictures. I haven't been there in a while but I am guessing that they still have the book.