When you visit the Dominican Republic, you have the opportunity to explore a beautiful and diverse country with a full range of activities, sightseeing tours and festivals. One of the most popular regions is Punta Cana and many visitors decide on car rental as the perfect way to get around the region and enjoy their holiday. As a result, we’ve put together a summary of the top rental car companies in Punta Cana, so you can start to explore the best car rental deals for your trip.
Our Top 3 Car Rental Companies
Every traveler has a different budget, preferences and requirements for their rental car, but we believe these three car rental companies offer some of the best deals around. If you like the look of these rental car companies then check out their websites for special offers and price lists.
Europcar
Europcar is one of the leading car rental companies in the world and they provide visitors arriving at Punta Cana International Airport, as well as other locations across the country with a wide range of car rental solutions.
Whether you need a compact car for two people to explore the sights, or a larger family car or SUV Europcar car rental has offers starting at approx $45-$55 per day.
Alamo
Another big player in car rental is Alamo who have a range of locations including at the Punta Cana International Airport. Known for a focus on cost-effective car rental and positive customer service experiences they are a great choice for people wanting to explore the island.
Alamo has a range of vehicles from mini and economy cars to full-sized cars and pickups depending on your individual requirements. Prices start from approx $45-$55 per day.
National
National has an impressive range of rental cars available, including higher-end luxury cars and vans. With two main locations in Punta Cana including the airport, you have options about where to collect and drop off your car.
The majority of cars here are automatics but manual transmission cars are available. Prices start from approx $65-$75 per day depending on the car type.
Other Car Rental Companies You Can Choose
There are a range of large and small car rental companies based in Punta Cana, alongside the three mentioned above so it is important to shop around. Some of these car rental companies include:
- Ace
- Avis
- Budget
- Goldcar
When you do a search for car rental Punta Cana, the fundamental criteria you should consider are the time you are traveling, the type of car you require and any specific requirements that may not come as standard. For example, you may need a child seat or additional drivers added to the rental car booking.
When you collect your car, make sure to check it carefully to confirm if any existing marks or damage so that you don’t get caught out when you return it.
Top Tips When Renting a Car in Punta Cana
It is really important that you take the time to find the best deal, but also that you understand all of the details and rules involved in car rental. Here are five top tips that everyone needs to think about when searching for car rental Punta Cana services.
Top Tip 1: Shop Around
The rental car market is a competitive one, with plenty providing special offers, a wide range of cars and extra features throughout the year. As a result, it is important to make sure you shop around and find the best deal. This can be done by using comparison websites but also by checking the individual car rental companies’ websites.
One thing to remember is don’t just look at the advertised price. There can be additional fees that are included as you go through the rental car booking process. These additional fees can sometimes end up double the reservation price.
Top Tip 2: Check the T&Cs
As you are renting a car in the Dominican Republic, it is important to take a moment to check the terms and conditions, along with key information provided by the rental car company. For example, you may discover mandatory insurance is required or that the renal counter is an off-airport budget location.
Cheap car rentals are widely available at Punta Cana airport and in the surrounding area so make sure you know where the rental car center is for your specific brand, as well as airport rentals in general.
Top Tip 3: Understand the traffic laws
For those people driving in Punta Cana for the first time, it can be an interesting and somewhat challenging experience. It can often be the case that regulations for the roads are seen as considerations rather than actual rules and there are a lot of motorcycles used throughout the country. The top piece of advice we have is to try to drive defensively and focus on safety so that you can travel and explore all of the wonderful locations in this part of the Dominican Republic.
If you’re aiming for truck rentals or larger vehicles, just be aware of the size of the vehicle and it’s a good idea to have experience driving the same vehicle before you get a car rental in Punta Cana.
Top Tip 4: Make sure you can collect from Punta Cana International Airport
For the majority of people, the best option is to find a rent-a-car service that lets you pick up and drop off at the airport. Failing that, try to find one that has a car shuttle or free pick-up service to take you to the car rental location. The majority of brands have a customer service desk in the airport itself and that is a great place to start.
If you’re departing from a different region or city, or wish to leave the car along your route then many of the Punta Cana car rentals services will be able to accommodate this.
Top Tip 5: Check the entire car rental price
If you take the time to explore prices and offers, you can find some of the cheapest rental cars around but as highlighted above you need to check the entire price. In Punta Cana, like any other country, the car rental rates for car rentals can include a range of insurance fees, and additional prices such as extra drivers and you can quickly end up paying twice the cost.
Most car rental companies in Punta Cana make it clear on their website what the fees are but it doesn’t hurt to double check.
Summary
Choosing a rental car is a fantastic way to explore Punta Cana and the whole of the Dominican Republic. It opens up more opportunities for alternative activities and allows you to truly get to know the local area while making the most of your time in the country. We hope this article has helped you start to explore car rental companies and some top tips that make choosing a rental car a safer and more cost-effective experience.