Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maps
If you rent a car, it's worth buying a good map to the area you'll be driving in. In Santo Domingo,
Mapas
GAAR
( 809-688-8004;
www.mapasgaar.com.do
;
3rd fl, cnr Calle El Conde & Espaillat;
8am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, to 2:30pm Sat) publishes and sells the most comprehensive maps of cities and towns
in the DR. Both the
National Geographic Adventure Map
and Boch maps of the Dominican Republic can be
recommended.
Rental
Familiar multinational agencies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Alamo and Dollar have offices at the major in-
ternational airports (or pickup service like at Punta Cana), as well as in Santo Domingo and other cities. Not
only are their online rates sometimes much less than those of local or national agencies, but their vehicles
are of better quality and they provide reliable and comprehensive service and insurance (it should be noted
that an additional 'airport terminal charge', around 8%, is tacked on to the bill). If you plan to do any driv-
ing on secondary roads along the coast or in the mountains, a 4WD is recommended. Rates typically cost
US$30 (for a standard car) to US$120 (for a 4WD) per day. Motorcycles can also be rented, but only experi-
enced riders should do so because of poor road conditions.
Road Conditions
Roads in the DR range from excellent to awful, sometimes along the same highway over a very short dis-
tance. The
autopista
(freeway) between Santo Domingo and Santiago has as many as eight lanes, is fast
moving and is generally in good condition. However, even here, always be alert for potholes, speed bumps
and people walking along the roadside, especially near populated areas. On all roads, large or small, watch
for slow-moving cars and especially motorcycles. Be particularly careful when driving at night. Better yet,
never drive at night
. Even the most skilled person with the reflexes of a superhero will probably end up in a
ditch by the side of the road.
Some of the highways, including Hwy 3 heading out of Santo Domingo to the east and Hwy 2 leaving the
city to the west, have toll fees of fairly nominal amounts (RD$35), while the Santo Domingo-Samaná high-
way (DR-7) is a relatively whopping RD$412. For the former it's best to have exact change that you can
simply toss into the basket and quickly move on.
Road Rules
The first rule is there are none. In theory, road rules in the DR are the same as for most countries in the
Americas, and the lights and signs are the same shape and color you find in the US or Canada (speed limit
signs are in kilometers per hour). Driving is on the right and seatbelts are required. That said, driving is
pretty much a free-for-all. In fact, in 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked the DR as one of
the 'world's most dangerous country for drivers', just ahead of Thailand. Pedestrians, equally indifferent to
common sense safety precautions, are also frequently victims. The combination of powerful public transport
unions and the general public's opposition to education and licensing regulations are continuing obstacles to
improving safety standards.
