Shall I rent a car in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic?

Many people planning their vacation in Punta Cana are only booking their resort and an airport transfer, but are hardly thinking about a rental car in Punta Cana, even it might be a good option. Others go straight ahead and book a car rental immediately, even it might not be a good idea, considering the conditions in the Dominican Republic. But how is the situation in Punta Cana and beyond? Does it make sense to book a Punta Cana car rental when planning a holiday in the Dominican Republic? Is it safe to drive in Punta Cana? Let me explain to you a few basics and provide you with some individual guidelines so that you can better evaluate if it makes sense for you to rent a car in Punta Cana.

Completely updated: February 2022

This article answers some questions about what to take care of when renting a car in Punta Cana and if it is a good idea. You also get an impression if it is safe to drive in Punta Cana. Instead, if you are looking for itineraries and road-trip ideas, you can check out the following articles:
– Dominican Republic 1-week itinerary from/to Punta Cana – beaches, culture and mountains
– Samaná 3-day itinerary from/to Punta Cana – the most beautiful region in the Dominican Republic
– The ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary for 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks or more
For further super helpful information about exploring the country with a rental car, you can also read our general road-trip guide for the Dominican Republic.

How can I rent a car in Punta Cana?

One of the first and most important questions is, how you can rent a car in Punta Cana. There are different options for a car hire in Punta Cana:
– booking directly with a rental car company in Punta Cana, such as Sixt, Enterprise, Alamo or Europcar
– booking with a rental car agency or a rental car broker, particularly price comparison websites such as Discover Cars or Auto Europe
– booking directly on the spot when you arrive at Punta Cana International Airport

Price comparison for car rentals in Punta Cana

To give you a better overview of the best options to rent a car in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic, I have done an extensive price comparison to find the cheapest rental cars in Punta Cana for you – but also those with the best insurance, as this matters even more than the best price. I have chosen four different suppliers for rental cars in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo:
– 2 rental car brokers (Discover Cars and Auto Europe)
– 1 online travel agency (Expedia)
– 1 rental car company (Europcar)

To find the best prices under equal conditions, I have tried to compare similar options when it comes to insurance, mileage and cancellation conditions. Unfortunately, this is not always 100% possible, as all rental car websites have different terms and regulations. However, the following price comparison for the best Punta Cana car rentals gives you an excellent overview on where to start with your search – and notable differences concerning the terms and conditions compared to other rental car companies or agencies are noted in the table as well.

In the table you can see the best prices for rental cars in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo when booked for a week – one example is for the low season in Punta Cana, one for high season in Punta Cana. An example for a rent a car in Santo Domingo is also included – again for low season. You can also see the difference between renting a car in Punta Cana for the basic price (usually without or just with basic insurance) and a Punta Cana rental car with full insurance, if possible with 0 USD deductible and full personal liability insurance.

Scenario 1: 1 week rental (1-8 May), low season, pick-up and drop-off Punta Cana International Airport 
Scenario 2: 1 week rental (1-8 August), high season, pick-up and drop-off Punta Cana International Airport
Scenario 3: 1 week rental (1-8 June), low season, pick-up and drop-off Santo Domingo International Airport

(mobile users: please turn your device to landscape mode to enjoy the best view of this table)

Basic Prices with basic insurance (see remarks for further information):

Prices with full insurance (see remarks for further information):

 All prices were taken on the 17th of February 2022.

 Very important: Prices can vary from one day to another, they might also be different depending on the country where you are located. Make sure to check booking, payment and cancellation conditions, as they might vary widely. It pays off to compare different platforms, but it is also worth to skip some of the cheapest offers if you don’t know and/or trust the company.

As you can see in the table, Expedia offers the best prices when renting a car in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic. But also Discover Cars and Auto Europe offer very cheap car rentals in Punta Cana. Just when booking directly with the rental car company – in this case, Europcar – you have to expect much higher prices, particularly when booking your Punta Cana car rental with full insurance.

But let’s have a look at the different offers to see what is the best and most convenient way to rent a car in Punta Cana.

Expedia

As mentioned, Expedia offers the cheapest prices for car rentals in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic – with just one exception for the high season rental of the Economy category in August, where AutoEurope is cheaper. Also, the insurance option is convincing, as you get an option with 0 USD deductible for just 11 USD per day – for all rental car categories.

However, you can note that Expedia is an online travel agency and not a rental car broker. Even though offering the cheapest prices, you can see that their booking engine is only partially suitable for booking rental cars as not all information are visible at the first glance.

Expedia is partnering with different rental car companies and brokers and offers one of the biggest selections of car rentals in Punta Cana. That’s why all rental car conditions are a bit different, so you have to check the fine print of each offer. However, what always is pretty similar is the additional insurance you can book for 11 USD per day. This insurance usually includes:

• 0 USD deductible for all damages covered in the base insurance policy of the rental car, among them collision damage, theft and vandalism
• up to 35000 USD in primary coverage with 0 USD deductible
• 24/7 emergency assistance

Insurance conditions are subject to change at any time without prior notice, please check the terms carefully when booking your Punta Cana car rental.

Especially 0 USD deductible for just 11 USD per day is a pretty great deal, even though it is a little bit complicated to find out the rest of the insurance conditions. Furthermore, Expedia offers refundable and non-refundable rates – the latter one is pretty uncommon for rental cars, hence make sure to book a refundable rental car in Punta Cana.

Auto Europe

Auto Europe is a car rental broker offering mostly premium companies. In the Dominican Republic, they (currently) only deal with Avis, Thrifty and Europcar, hence they only work together with well-known international brands, guaranteeing a certain standard of quality. Interestingly enough, despite offering only three Punta Cana car rental companies, they can offer super competitive prices, particularly as even their basic prices are offering pretty good insurance.

That’s why they also don’t offer any additional insurance. For most of the rental cars in Punta Cana with Auto Europe, the following services and insurances are included:

• Value Added Tax (VAT) and Sales Tax
• Liability Insurance for property and personal injury
• Fire Insurance
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with or without a deductible (depending on the rental car company)
• Theft Protection (TP) with or without a deductible (depending on the rental car company)
• Roadside Assistance
• Unlimited Kilometers. Usually, a 10% airport surcharge has to be paid on the spot if renting a car at Punta Cana Airport or Santo Domingo Airport.

Insurance conditions are subject to change at any time without prior notice, please check the terms carefully when booking your Punta Cana car hire.

As you can see, the conditions for a Punta Cana car hire are pretty attractive when booking with Auto Europe, hence it makes sense to check them out when planning your trip to the Dominican Republic.

Discover Cars

Discover Cars is another broker offering competitive car rentals in Punta Cana. They are partnering with a wide range of companies such as Sixt, ACE rent a car or other rental car agencies. Their website is the most user-friendly, as it offers an easy-to-understand user experience and a clear design.

Furthermore, it offers one of the best insurance packages in the market for just 7 USD a day, which is a real bargain compared to what is included for your Punta Cana car rental when booking with Discover Cars. The so-called “Full Coverage” includes the following services:

• Refundable theft deductible
• Bodywork and roof
• Windshield and windows
• Mirrors
• Wheels and tires
• Undercarriage
• Lost keys or lockout fees
• Taxi expenses
• Towing expenses
• Administrative charges
• Loss of use fees

Insurance conditions are subject to change at any time without prior notice, please check the terms carefully when booking your Punta Cana rental car.

All exterior parts of the vehicle are covered, which is a pretty amazing plus. Discover Cars also advertise that all claims are processed within 48 hours, on average. As I don’t have my own experiences with them (yet) concerning damages, I can’t confirm if it is true or not.

Furthermore, even though it can’t be taken for granted, but the majority of all Punta Cana rental cars with Discover Cars are fully flexible and can be canceled up to 24 or 48 hours in advance.

Discover Cars is a little bit more expensive than AutoEurope when looking for Punta Cana car rentals, but you shall check it out, particularly due to the very comprehensive insurance policy.

Europcar

Last but not least, let’s have a look at Europcar, one of the best Punta Cana car rental companies in the Dominican Republic. I have worked with them for a couple of years throughout the country (and with many other companies) and have to say that they are one of the best. Not everything is perfect with Europcar and you might run into occasional problems with them as well, but compared to other rental car companies, the problems occur less frequently. Hence it is one of your best choices when renting a car in Punta Cana.

However, unfortunately, Europcar is pretty pricey. As you can see in the Punta Cana rental car price comparison, their rates are much more expensive than those from Auto Europe, Discover Cars or Expedia, especially when booking their insurance options, which are around 30-35 USD per day.

If you book additional insurance with Europcar, the following options are included:

• Super Collision Damage Protection for lowered deductible (but not 0 USD deductible)
• Basic Theft protection

Insurance conditions are subject to change at any time without prior notice, please check the terms carefully when booking your Punta Cana rent-a-car.

As you can see, the insurance when booking a Punta Cana rent a car with Europcar is expensive, but not very comprehensive. Despite the high price of the insurance, you still don’t have CDW insurance with 0 USD deductible included – there is still an excess amount. Hence, despite their good reputation, I would recommend booking through one of the rental car brokers mentioned above, such as Discover Cars* and Auto Europe*, and try to get a Punta Cana car rental from Europcar through these channels.

Why you can trust me & Punta Cana Travel Blog

With my extensive travel history and industry background, I can offer the best advice from the traveler’s perspective and tourism professional perspective.

All articles on Punta Cana Travel Blog are written with love & passion, all from my first-hand experiences and without any AI. Furthermore
– I have been living in the Dominican Republic for approx. 6 years
– I have visited more than 50 all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic
– I designed hundreds of tailor-made itineraries for a tour operator in the Dominican Republic
– I have visited more than 40 waterfalls, all 31 provinces and 70 beaches in the Dominican Republic
– I have a bachelor’s degree in tourism and know all the secrets of the industry
– I have spent a total of 373 nights in accommodation in the Dominican Republic, visiting 155 hotels
– I have worked my entire life in the tourism industry and am a passionate traveler as well
Read more about me here or send me a travel coaching request if want to take advantage of my expert knowledge of Punta Cana’s tourism.

Book a rental car in Punta Cana via a rental car comparison website

 As you can see, booking a Punta Cana rental car via one of the price comparison websites offer you the best prices and conditions, but also in terms of the insurance. It is also my favorite ways of getting a car hire in Punta Cana. As indicated in the price comparison of Punta Cana Travel Blog, some of the best websites are:
– Expedia*
– Auto Europe*
– Discover Cars*

 I have used a few of them and can recommend these companies. Again, just make sure to only book your car rental in the Dominican Republic with full insurance, including liability insurance, collision damage waiver with 0 USD deductible and coverage for glass, tires and windshield. All those things are particularly important for me in the Dominican Republic, so I never book a rental car without one of those insurance products.

Book a rental car in Punta Cana via your preferred rental car company

 I know that many of you have their preferred rental car company and there is nothing wrong with that. Most major international brands do have an office in Punta Cana, among them National, Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, Sixt, Europcar and Thrifty. There is no problem in going ahead and checking with your No. 1 choice what they can offer – especially if you have VIP status there. Just make sure they have the same insurance conditions as you are used to in your home country, as the terms and products in the Dominican Republic might vary. However, your Punta Cana rental car might be more expensive than with one of the price comparison websites as shown above.

Book a rental car in Punta Cana when you arrive

 There is also the option of booking a rental car once you arrive in Punta Cana, in case you don’t want to commit yourself to an advance booking. This is possible, especially as the rental car center is within walking distance (so you don’t need a Punta Cana airport shuttle) when you arrive in Terminal A, the terminal where the majority of flights get handled.  

 However, please note that the prices are not comparable to the internet when you walk in and ask for the rates. While the rate per day might be reasonable, insurance prices on the spot are sometimes outrageous, even if you have the insurance included in your credit card (because with some rental car companies it is mandatory to take out some kind of insurance).

 I once tried to get a rental car as a walk-in at Punta Cana Airport but finally declined because of the high prices, hence I would not recommend this option.

Is it safe to rent a car in Punta Cana?

 Many people ask if it’s safe to rent a car in Punta Cana. While the general answer on this is yes, it is worth to have a detailed view on this question.

Renting a car in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic: the rental car company

 First, check your rental car company. Usually, you don’t have to expect any problems here. While in some countries it might be a true hassle to find a reliable company, most of the rent-a-cars in the Dominican Republic offer decent quality. From that perspective, renting a car in Punta Cana is perfectly safe.

 The only thing you have to take care of is your insurance. While I know that some travelers have rental car insurance included in their credit card, I recommend booking full insurance with collision damage waiver (including a deductible of 0 USD) and liability insurance beforehand. If you have booked this with your rental car, you can decline all additional insurance offers the rental car agent might have for you when picking up your car. Otherwise, they will try hard to sell you additional insurances you might not need.

 Besides that, the rental car pick-up here in the country is a smooth process. With more than twenty cars already rented in Punta Cana or other parts of the Dominican Republic, I never had a company trying to trick with the damage protocol, the amount of fuel or other sneaky issues. Therefore, avoid signing in for unnecessary insurance is the only thing you have to take special care of when renting a car in Punta Cana.

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Driving a rental car in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic: road rules

 When it comes to safety, road rules and driving behavior is the next issue we have to discuss – and it’s probably the toughest one. While the quality of roads in the Dominican Republic is in general more than acceptable – especially considering that we are speaking about a developing country – the behavior of its participants isn’t a reason to start excessive celebrations. Usually, road rules are more considered to be recommendations than a firm law and especially in bigger cities, traffic can be chaotic. On the other hand, driving in Punta Cana and the neighboring areas is not as aggressive as in other parts of the Dominican Republic, but you still need to exercise caution and be passive, especially in your first days.

 If you have never rented a car in a foreign country, you should not start with doing so in the Dominican Republic. On the other hand, if you have some experience and it is not your first country to drive, you can easily rent a car in Punta Cana.

Exploring Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic by rental car: safety and crime

 The Dominican Republic is often considered to be a country of street crime and safety issues so that one can ask the questions if it is safe to rent a car in Punta Cana. And while there are these kinds of crime in certain areas, it won’t be a major problem during your road trip. Most of the crimes committed in the Dominican Republic are not targeted on tourists – that’s why you don’t have to be concerned about it, as also confirmed in this extensive Punta Cana safety guide.

While Santo Domingo is a hotspot of safety incidents and I would not cross the city with open windows of my car for example, you don’t have to worry about this in Punta Cana or other parts of the Dominican Republic, which are generally a lot safer. Once you get used to the driving conditions in the country, you can fully enjoy your trip. Just don’t get careless. Act as you would act in any other country in the world (don’t leave any valuables in the car, hide your luggage, don’t stop at night to help strangers, etc.). 

 If you consider these tips and recommendations, it is absolutely safe to rent a car in Punta Cana. I have done so over 20 times and enjoyed all the different road trips we made so far in the Dominican Republic.  

Is it worth to rent a car in Punta Cana?

 After discussing the safety, let’s have a look if it’s worth to rent a car in Punta Cana. Can you reach interesting attractions in the area? Can you use it to see the highlights of Punta Cana? Is it worth the money for your vacation in the Bavaro area? 

 It depends – mainly on the type of accommodation and the style of holiday you are planning.

Is it worth renting a car if you stay at an all-inclusive resort?

 Theoretically, if you come to an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, you don’t need a rental car. You have everything you need in your hotel, including food and drinks all day long, entertainment, the beach, etc. You even don’t need to leave the hotel to go shopping, to get souvenirs or to book excursions – you have everything right on the property.

 However, you are limited to what your hotel offers and if you would like to explore Punta Cana on your own and outside of guided excursions, then you either need a driver or – you know it – a rental car. Especially if you like to venture out off-the-beaten-track and visit the hidden gems of Punta Cana, there is hardly any way you can do it without a rental car if you don’t want to pay a driver or a taxi every day.

 Therefore, if you are just planning to stay in your resort for relaxing, swimming and sunbathing, you don’t have to book a car. If you’d like to discover the secret spots of Punta Cana and the authentic Dominican Republic, I highly recommend renting a car.

Is it worth to rent a car if you stay in an apartment, villa or guesthouse?

 If you have booked accommodation outside of the all-inclusive resorts, the situation is a bit different. 

 First, you might have to go shopping, head to the beach (in case your hotel is not beachfront) or dine out at one of the several restaurants in Punta Cana. In this case, a car hire would help enormously, as you remain flexible and can go wherever you want at every time. Taxis would be the only alternative, but this might be expensive. Uber is a viable option to get around in Punta Cana, but not so much outside of the main touristic areas.

 Second, you might have booked yourself an accommodation outside of the big all-inclusive resorts because you’d like to get to know the real Punta Cana, away from the resort life. And once you are outside of the resorts, you might want to explore more of the amazing Dominican Republic. A car helps a lot to see all those things-to-do Punta Cana is famous for – see below in the last section for more details.

 Therefore, if you are not staying in an all-inclusive resort, I highly recommend a rental car as you will need to move around and stay flexible, especially as taxis are expensive and public transport in Punta Cana is a bit tricky.

What can I see and do if I rent a car in Punta Cana?

 Alright, once you have done your booking and are heading towards the Dominican Republic, the question is what you can do and see with your rental car in Punta Cana. A lot, as you can also read here on Punta Cana Travel Blog.

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 For me, the top things-to-do with a rental car in the area of Punta Cana and Bavaro – assuming you only would like to go on day-trips from Punta Cana – would be the following:

– head to the most pristine beach in the entire east of the Dominican Republic, Playa Esmeralda
– visit Montaña Redonda, a unique hill with stunning photo opportunities
– visit Hoyo Claro, a crystal-clear cenote close to the Punta Cana International Airport
– drive towards La Romana to visit a cigar factory (+ a rum distillery in San Pedro)
– hike to the highest waterfall in the Caribbean, Salto de la Jalda
– visit Higuey with its bustling streets and the famous cathedral
– visit one of the waterfalls in the area you can reach from Punta Cana in under three hours

 As you can see, there is a lot to explore in Punta Cana and most of these ideas are off-the-beaten-track, where you will hardly see any tourist. The adventure is waiting for you!

It is also possible to venture out and explore the Dominican Republic on a multi-day road-trip. I have compiled three possible itineraries where you can see a few options which are possible when you rent a car in Punta Cana. Have a look at the following itineraries:
– Dominican Republic 1-week itinerary from/to Punta Cana – beaches, culture and mountains
– Samaná 3-day itinerary from/to Punta Cana – the most beautiful region in the Dominican Republic
– The ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary – 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks or more

Samaná 3-day itinerary from/to Punta Cana – the most beautiful region in the Dominican Republic

Read More

Punta Cana itinerary for an easy 1-week road-trip – beaches, culture and mountains

Read More

The ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary for road trips – 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks and more

Read More

If you are looking for some unique places to stay while having a rental car, you can check out the best Airbnbs in Punta Cana or the best eco-lodges in the area.

If you would like to receive a tailor-made itinerary, I am happy to go through all the options with you – just send me a travel coaching request here.

SHARING IS CARING! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS – I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT.

CHRIS

Author, Travel Coach & Industry Professional (Bachelor’s degree in tourism)

Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean soul, who has been living in the Dominican Republic for 6 years. I’d love to be your Punta Cana expert, as I have stayed at more than 45 all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the country, visited more than 70 beaches, explored more than 40 waterfalls and have seen basically all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. I have also studied tourism for 3 years and worked in the tourism industry my entire life, which is why I am not only giving you recommendations and tips as a traveler but also the best secrets and travel hacks as an industry professional.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page, send me a travel coaching request or Contact Me here.

ALSO WORTH READING:

The 13 best day trips from Punta Cana

The 45+ best Punta Cana excursions & tours 2024 (+ 5 to skip) – hand-picked and with personal experiences

The best Punta Cana resorts with a water park

Los Haitises National Park – a wonderful excursion or road-trip from Punta Cana (incl. Map)

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