Renting a car in Punta Cana is the single best upgrade you can make to a Dominican Republic holiday. It turns a resort stay into a real trip. Here is everything you need to know before you drive.
Road conditions
The main corridors around Punta Cana, Bávaro and Cap Cana are paved, well signposted and easy to navigate. Boulevard Turístico del Este connects the airport to the resort zone and is in excellent condition. Once you leave the tourist corridor, expect narrower roads, occasional potholes and speed bumps that are not always painted — slow down when you enter a village.
Speed limits and signage
Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour. Expect 40 km/h inside towns, 60–80 km/h on secondary roads and up to 120 km/h on the main highways. Seat belts are mandatory for everyone in the vehicle and using a phone while driving is prohibited.
Tolls
There are toll booths on the highway between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. Keep small Dominican peso notes in the car — most booths do not accept cards.
Fuel
Stations are attended, so you stay in the car and tell the attendant how much you want. Most accept cards, but cash is always faster. Fill up before long stretches through the countryside.
Checkpoints
You may pass a routine police or military checkpoint. Slow down, be polite, and have your driver's licence and rental documents in the glovebox. Our contract and digital QR verification make this simple — everything an officer needs is in one document.
Parking
Resorts, malls and restaurants have free parking. In Higüey and downtown areas you will find informal attendants who watch cars for a small tip. Never leave valuables visible.
Our advice
Drive during daylight for your first trip, use offline maps, and keep our WhatsApp number saved. We are on the road with you.