Santo Domingo is the Caribbean’s largest city and the capital of the Dominican Republic. It’s a place of vibrant nightlife, colonial history, and the kind of food you go back for. The city’s central location in the country also makes it a handy starting point for an island road trip.
Make a beeline for Zona Colonial, the historic central neighbourhood that’s the oldest European settlement in the New World. And don’t miss the incredible architecture dotted around the city, such as the Catedral Primada de America, or the Fortaleza Ozama.
A cheap car rental in Santo Domingo will help you see it all and more.
![An example of Santo Domingo’s colonial architecture]()
Image: rey perezoso
How to get the best deal on car hire in Santo Domingo with AirportRentals.com
To find the cheapest car hire in Santo Domingo, use the search function at Airport Rentals to generate a list of available cars during your stay.
Start by entering your travel dates to view the full list, then narrow down your results with the filters to find exactly what you’re after. You can search specifically for manual or automatic cars, for particular models, or for vehicle sizes.
The 24/7 phone and email assistance can help you out with any queries you have, and you can book securely online as soon as you’ve made a decision - all without paying any additional fees.
Introducing Santo Domingo Airport
Also known as Las Americas International Airport, the Santo Domingo Airport is one of the busiest in the country, handling more than 3.5 million passengers every year. There are no domestic flights available at the terminal, but the most popular routes are to and from New York, Miami, and Madrid.
There are basic facilities at the airport, so you’ll have multiple options for places to grab a bite to eat or something to drink. There is also free WiFi throughout the terminal.
You can find the car rental counters at Terminal B just inside the exit doors after customs.
A quick driving guide to Santo Domingo
When you arrive in the Dominican Republic, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road. The local drivers tend to be quite aggressive on the roads and don’t pay a huge amount of attention to the road rules - you have been warned!
Driving from the airport to the city
Las Americas International Airport is over 30 kilometres from Santo Domingo, so it will take roughly 45 minutes to make the drive under normal traffic conditions. You’ll follow the road out of the terminal, then turn left onto Autopista Las Americas (Route 3), which handily takes you all the way into the heart of town.
Tips for driving your car hire in Santo Domingo
Start by getting a GPS unit when you pick up your rental to help you find your way around, then aim to avoid driving at normal rush hour times to avoid the worst of the congestion. Always drive cautiously as locals can flout the road rules, and be careful on rural and intercity roads, as some are less well-kept than others and may have potholes. Also be wary of motorbikes, as there are a lot on the roads here and they can be even more unruly than cars.
Parking at Santo Domingo Airport
The airport offers more than 1,200 parking stalls, all of which are located right in front of the terminal.
Parking in Santo Domingo
Much like the traffic in the city, finding a spot for your car can be a little hectic. You may be best to book a hotel that includes a stall with your room, or keep an eye out for parking garages.
