Car Rental at Samana El Catey International Airport (AZS)

Your US driver's license is valid for driving in the Dominican Republic, but most rental agencies will also require an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a supplementary document—it costs about $20-$30 through AAA and is valid for 1 year. Minimum age is typically 21 years, but drivers under 25 often pay a young driver surcharge of $15-$25 per day. Always carry both documents when driving.

Main highways (like the highway from Santo Domingo to Samaná) are generally in decent condition, but secondary roads and山区 routes can have potholes, unmarked speed bumps, and sparse lighting. Watch out for motorcycles weaving through traffic, wandering cattle, and aggressive passing maneuvers. Drive defensively and avoid night driving on rural roads when possible.

Most rental cars run on gasoline (gasolina), and diesel (diésell) is also widely available. Gas stations are plentiful along major highways, but less frequent in remote areas of the Samaná Peninsula. Fill up before heading to remote beaches or EL Limón waterfall. Credit cards are accepted at most stations, but having some cash (Dominican pesos) on hand is smart.

Most US credit cards provide some rental coverage, but Dominican rental agencies typically require you to purchase their basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance—don't decline it unless you have written confirmation from your card issuer that you're covered. Expect to leave a credit card pre-authorization of $500-$1,500. Verify whether your personal policy or credit card covers theft, personal injury, and third-party liability before arrival.

The rainy season runs May-November, with potential tropical storms and hurricanes (peak August-October). Sudden downpours can cause flash flooding on coastal roads and reduce visibility dramatically. Avoid crossing flooded roadways—some roads become impassable. If a hurricane warning is issued, rental agencies will typically waive change/cancellation fees. Download offline maps as cell service can be unreliable during storms.

Highway tolls (peajes) cost roughly $3-$20 depending on distance and are paid in cash (pesos or USD). Parking in Las Terrenas and Samaná town usually costs $1-$3 per hour at guarded lots; never leave valuables in your car. Traffic rules follow US-style right-of-hand drive, but enforcement is lax—red lights are often treated as stop signs, and honking is common. Speeding cameras exist on major highways; fines can be $30-$100 if caught.