Renting a Car at Las Américas International Airport (AILA): Pickup Guide

Las Américas International Airport, known locally as AILA (code SDQ), is the gateway to Santo Domingo and the beaches of the southeast. Our counter there is open 24 hours a day, so landing in the middle of the night is not a problem: your car is waiting.

This guide walks you from touchdown to handing back the keys: what to bring, what to check on the car and how to drive calmly in the capital and the surrounding area.

Before you land

• Book at least 24 hours ahead and you'll see the total price, including the airport's mandatory charges, before you confirm.
• Share your flight number when you book. If your flight is delayed, we follow your arrival.
• Choose your protection while you book. You can compare the coverage options before you pay. If you have questions, read Coverage and Card Holds.
• Talk to your bank to confirm your credit card has enough available credit for the hold and that you can use it outside your home country.
• Download the offline map of Santo Domingo and the east coast before you leave home.

At the counter

Bring your valid driver's license, your ID card or passport and a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) in the driver's name. A refundable hold of US$300 to US$500 is placed on that card, depending on the coverage; without coverage, the hold is US$1,200.

The minimum age is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent with an additional daily fee, and you can register an additional driver if you'll be taking turns at the wheel.

From the plane to the counter, step by step

1. Turn on your phone when you land and check for any messages about your booking.
2. Go through immigration with your passport handy.
3. Collect your luggage and clear customs.
4. Head out to the arrivals area. You'll be offered taxis and transfers; with your booking in hand, you don't need them.
5. Look for the Nelly counter with your confirmation open on your phone. Since your details are already in the system, we just check your documents and place the hold, and you sign.

If you need to review your booking before you arrive, go to Manage my booking.

Your car

We rent one car: automatic, air-conditioned, with five doors and room for five passengers and three suitcases. No categories to compare: the price you see is the price of your car.

What to check before you leave

• Walk around the car and take photos or a video of any scratch, dent or detail on the body, windows and wheels.
• Note the fuel level. You'll return it with the same level, or you can take the prepaid full tank and return it empty.
• Test the air conditioning, lights and wipers.
• Adjust the mirrors and seat before you start.
• Save the assistance number: 809-544-7111 (option 3).

Driving from the airport

AILA is east of the city, right on the Autopista de Las Américas:

• To Santo Domingo: the highway runs along the sea and enters the city over the bridge across the Ozama River. The Colonial Zone and the Malecón are less than an hour away, depending on traffic.
• Heading east: the same road takes you to Boca Chica, Juan Dolio and, via the Autopista del Coral, to La Romana and Punta Cana.

Traffic builds up at rush hour. If you land early in the morning or late in the afternoon, allow extra time and use a navigation app. Bring cash in pesos for the tolls.

If you're heading straight to the historic center, the route and where to park are in From AILA to the Colonial Zone.

Driving in and around Santo Domingo

On the highway

Respect the speed limits: there are checkpoints on the highway. Keep your distance from the car in front and signal early. Some public transportation vehicles stop suddenly to pick up or drop off passengers.

Roundabouts, motorbikes and speed bumps

In the city you'll find roundabouts and busy intersections. Enter slowly and stay alert to other drivers. Motorbikes are part of everyday traffic and may pass you on either side, so check your mirrors before every turn. Off the main roads, watch for "policías acostados" ("sleeping police officers"), the local name for speed bumps, which aren't always painted.

Fuel

Fill up at the stations on the main roads before heading to the beaches. At many stations an attendant serves you: say how much you want and confirm the fuel type. Keep cash handy in case cards aren't accepted.

At night

Since the counter is open 24 hours, picking up the car in the early hours is normal. If it's your first time in the country, consider driving straight to your hotel and saving the sightseeing for the next day. At night it's harder to spot potholes, pedestrians or motorbikes.

Parking

In the Colonial Zone the streets are narrow, and many are pedestrian-only or one-way: the most practical option is a guarded parking lot on the edge of the historic center. Wherever you park, don't leave anything visible inside the car.

If your flight is delayed

If you shared your flight number, we follow your arrival. And since the AILA counter is open 24 hours, a delay doesn't leave you without a car: just come by when you land.

Returning the car

• Return it with the same fuel level, or empty if you took the prepaid full tank.
• Factor in traffic on the way back to the airport, especially at rush hour, and arrive with time to spare before your flight.
• Check the glove box, the trunk and under the seats.
• If your trip ends in the east, you can return it at Punta Cana International Airport, open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; additional charges may apply. Read about the route in Santo Domingo to Punta Cana by Road.

The hold is released when you return the car in good condition.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the airport at rush hour without allowing extra time.
• Not carrying cash in pesos for the toll.
• Arriving with a card that has no available credit or is in someone else's name.
• Trying to park on the narrow streets inside the Colonial Zone.
• Driving off without photos of the car's condition.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pick up the car in the middle of the night?

Yes. The AILA counter is open 24 hours.

What do I need to rent?

A valid driver's license, your ID card or passport and a Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card in the driver's name.

How much is the hold?

US$300 to US$500 depending on the coverage, or US$1,200 without coverage. It's refundable.

Can I rent if I'm under 25?

Yes, from 21 to 24, with an additional daily fee.

What do I do if the car breaks down?

Call 24/7 roadside assistance: 809-544-7111 (option 3). You'll find more answers in our FAQ.

Your rental includes 24/7 roadside assistance nationwide at no extra cost, at 809-544-7111 (option 3).

Pick your dates and see the price of your car at Las Américas International Airport.