Rent a Car in Dominican Republic from $9 a Day
Car rental in the Dominican Republic starts at $9 a day for an automatic hatchback with air conditioning and unlimited mileage. Collect your car at Santo Domingo Las Américas (SDQ) or La Romana (LRM), or ask for free delivery in Santo Domingo. Cancel for free and pay at the counter.
Change of plans? Rent with confidence, cancel anytime. No fee. Final Rentals does not believe in charging any cancellation fee.
Pay full rental amount at the counter. No need to pay online. We work on clear pricing policy, what you see is what you pay.
You can return the car at the same fuel level as it was handed over to you and there will be no charges at all.
Essential Tips for Renting a Car in the Dominican Republic
Drive Beyond the Resort Gates
A rental car turns a resort week into a road trip. From Santo Domingo you reach Punta Cana in about 2.5 hours on the Autovía del Este, Samaná in about 2 hours and Santiago in about 2 hours on the Duarte highway. Waterfalls near Jarabacoa, whale season in Samaná Bay and the beaches around Bayahibe all sit on routes you can drive in a day. No tour timetable, no taxi fare haggling.
Documents and Age Requirements
Bring your passport, your home country driving licence, and a credit card in the main driver's name. An International Driving Permit is recommended if your licence uses a different alphabet. The minimum age is 21 at most suppliers, and drivers under 25 usually pay a daily young driver fee. Some premium cars require a driver aged 25 or older. Keep your passport and licence in the car, because police ask for them at checkpoints.
Police Checkpoints and DIGESETT
DIGESETT, the traffic police in green uniforms, handles traffic stops and tickets. Checkpoints (retenes) are common on highways and at town entrances. Wind the window down, say "Buenas" and hand over your licence and rental agreement. If an officer asks for cash on the spot, ask for the official ticket (multa) instead. Fines are paid at a Banreservas branch or online, never at the roadside.
Credit Card and Deposit
The credit card must be in the main driver's name. Most suppliers do not accept debit cards, prepaid cards, or cash for the deposit. Deposits start at $90 on many cars. If you decline the supplier's collision cover and rely on your own card cover, expect a hold of $1,000 or more. The hold is released after you return the car and the supplier checks it.
Driving Rules and Speed Limits
Drive on the right and buckle up every passenger. Posted limits always win. Typical limits are 40 km/h in towns and villages, 80 km/h on main roads, up to 120 km/h on motorways and 20 km/h near schools. Phones are hands free only, and the alcohol limit is 0.05%. Speed bumps (policías acostados) appear without warning in towns, so slow to a crawl and cross them at an angle. Motorbikes overtake on both sides, so check both mirrors before every turn. Police use speed guns on the roads from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana and Samaná.
Insurance and Casa del Conductor
Basic third party liability cover is included in your rate and is required on every rental in the country. Collision damage waiver and theft protection are optional extras that reduce what you pay if the car is damaged. Cover bought on another website or through a credit card is often turned down at the Dominican counter, and the supplier then asks you to take its own cover. After a serious crash, police can hold a driver during the investigation. Casa del Conductor is a driver assistance service that provides legal help in that situation. Ask the supplier at pickup whether it is included.
Toll Roads and Fuel Costs
Tolls on the main motorways cost about RD$100 per booth for a car. Santo Domingo to Punta Cana crosses roughly 4 booths and costs around $7 to $10 each way. The Samaná road adds more. Carry small peso notes, because booths take cash, and dollars are accepted with change given in pesos. Ask at pickup whether your car has a Paso Rápido tag. Regular gasoline costs about $5 a gallon, and the government sets the price weekly, so it varies little between stations. Fill up in larger towns before rural drives.
Toll Roads and Fuel Costs
Several highways in the Dominican Republic operate as toll roads, including major routes connecting popular cities and tourist destinations. Toll charges vary by route, while fuel stations are widely available across the country, especially in urban areas.
Navigation and Parking
Google Maps and Waze both work across the country. Waze also shows police and traffic alerts. Road signs are scarce inland, so download offline maps before you lose signal. The Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo has narrow one way streets and tight parking, so a compact car saves stress. Many resorts in Punta Cana and Bayahibe give guests free parking. Leave nothing visible in a parked car, not even an empty bag.
Road Conditions and Night Driving
Motorways such as the Duarte highway and the Autovía del Este are well maintained. Secondary roads in the mountains and the south have potholes, blind curves and washed out sections after heavy rain. Cattle, goats and pedestrians share rural roads. Avoid driving at night outside cities, because street lighting is thin and some vehicles run without headlights. Plan to arrive before dark. An SUV handles potholes and speed bumps better than a small hatchback.
Car Rental at Dominican Republic Airports
When Is the Best Time to Rent a Car in the Dominican Republic?
May to November: Lowest Prices
Prices fall 20 to 35% outside holiday weeks, and October is usually the cheapest month of the year. Roads are quieter, and resorts have spare rooms. Afternoon storms are common, and hurricane season runs from June to November, so check the forecast before long drives and avoid unpaved roads after heavy rain.
January to April: Dry Roads and Whale Season
The dry season gives the best driving conditions. Humpback whales fill Samaná Bay from January to March, which makes the Samaná road trip the most popular drive of the year. Prices are at their highest and popular cars sell out, so book 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
Christmas and Holy Week: Book Early
December rentals average close to double October rates, and Holy Week (Semana Santa) is just as tight. Reserve 6 weeks ahead for these dates. Cancellation is free, so booking early costs you nothing and locks you in a car at today's rate.
