cauzinruwkiz

Will be traveling into Santo Domingo on Dec 6, 2012 - Dec 18, 2012.
Prefer an intermediate or larger car.
Ive searched through all forums and found very minimal information for SDQ.
Could be any rental company.
Anyone know of any promo codes which I could use?

wierdo

First, keep in mind Avis in the DR, as with all of the other major brand companies are franchisees. They will honor whatever price you get on the website with your AWD, though. I was not asked for ID to confirm the AWD when I (tried) to rent in Santo Domingo last year. This was at the office on George Washington, not out at the airport where it is more expensive. (a taxi into town is only a couple hundred pesos at most) I ended up not renting from them because they wanted a not-previously-disclosed $2500 deposit unless I bought their LDW, despite using Amex with the addon insurance. I believe the Dollar franchisee is more reasonable on the deposit, but all the rental companies "charge" one here.

Do be aware that people drive pretty crazy here (I say here because I happen to be in Santo Domingo at the moment). Red lights are just a suggestion to most and the lane stripes are worth even less. Also, it is very congested in Santo Domingo.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the rental companies are all sticklers about damage. If you're going to rent after dark, bring a flashlight and go over the car with a fine toothed comb unless you want surprise damage charges at the end. Even at the rental locations in the US where they've bothered with looking for minor damage I have not seen such close examination. It almost seems like they get commission on the damage charges...

cauzinruwkiz

Thanks for the helpful info.

I have heard about the driving habits of DR natives before. Luckily, I am traveling with my partner who was born and raised in Santo Domingo and is comfortable driving there while I ride passenger side, strapped in tight.

I did read on a smaller, hardly known car rental website about the ridiculous deposit but was not aware that the larger companies also charged it. This may be a deal breaker as far as renting.

Just havent had much luck finding a code for a good rate. For a compact suv for 12 days, no company is offering it for less than $550.

Their car classes are very different than the states. A civic is considered a full size and a Toyota Highlander is considered a compact SUV and a Ford Explorer is a Premium SUV. Go figure!

wierdo

Yeah, good rates on SUVs basically don't happen in the DR. It's not terribly surprising given how expensive cars are there. My SO's uncle was looking at an SUV last year and the dealer wanted $42,000 USD for something that would sell for maybe $30,000 in the US.

FWIW, I see around $515 after tax for a Grand Vitara or similar from the Avis on George Washington (I think it may actually be a Grand Vitara, you can check what cars they have on avis.com.do) on avis.com with my SO's corporate AWD. Do keep in mind that gas is $6-7 a gallon right now.