Renting a Car in the Caribbean

 

Renting a car in the Caribbean can be an easy and dependable transportation choice.

There are several major American companies, as well as local companies, available and competing for business on nearly every Caribbean island. Local companies can sometimes offer lower prices but the risk of traveling without all the standardized services that chains can deliver may not be your best option.

On some islands, rental agencies are located in airports and hotels, but a few islands in the Caribbean do not offer car rental service at all. You can also book a car rental online before you even reach the islands; rentals are sometimes included in package deals with airfare or hotel stay.

These national car rental chains have locations throughout the Caribbean:

No matter how you book, consider these finer points of automobile renting in the Caribbean:

• Car choices and availability may be limited during peak travel season.

• Car rental rates are currently in the vicinity of $35 (USD) to $60 (USD) per day.

• Weekly rates, where available, are often discounted.

• Some car rental agencies offer discounts to AAA members.

• Vehicle options are usually larger sport utility vehicles (SUVs) like Jeeps or Suzukis, or smaller sedans such as Toyotas or Hondas.

• You will be required to pay a deposit, have a credit card, or show proof of auto insurance in order to rent a car.

• Although the legal driving age on most islands is 18-years-old or younger, most agencies will only rent to drivers who are 25 or older. Some companies will rent to 21-year-old drivers. Younger drivers will certainly want to inquire before they travel.

• Gas prices vary from island to island; be sure to factor in the cost of gas to your overall car rental budget.

There may be many differences between driving in the Caribbean and driving in your home country. While some island roads may be remote, unpaved, or narrow, others may be dense with traffic and erratic local drivers--traffic may even be slowed by animals wandering the roads! On many islands the left side of the road is the right-of-way, but on others the right side is correct. When signs are posted, they are often in local languages and give distances or speed limits in kilometers.

Many Caribbean islands will also require you to obtain a temporary driving permit, which generally costs around $15 (USD) to $25 (USD) depending on the island, and often will expire three to six months from the date of issue. Permits are usually available at airport terminals, police stations, and sometimes even 24-hour locations. Many Caribbean islands will honor your home driver's license for a short period upon arrival while a few may honor it for several months and some not at all.

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