Car vs Driver

[Hondo12]

About five of us are coming down on June 1st and we're trying to weigh our options of renting a car versus hiring a driver with a van. Three of us are staying in a villa in the La Perla area, and the other two are staying at Club Residencial. We plan on hitting all the hot spots in PP and when you think about 5 guys bringing back 5 girls, that's 10 people. The problem is, no one will want to drive at night after we've been drinking, and rightfully so. Two of us have been before (Oct 05). I've narrowed our choices down to the following:

1. Reserve 1 car prior to arrival (cheaper price?) and rent a second one on a daily basis as needed.

2. Rent a mini van for the entire trip - $450 (Budget)

3. Hire a driver with a van that will be on call for 24hrs/day.

I know some of you have experienced this. What are your thoughts/suggestions?

How much would a driver cost us for 6 days? Any referrals?

[moshy2k]

Hondo, with 5 guys it can be a blast or a nightmare (relatively speaking cause DR is paradise). With 5 guys the issue is getting guys to go to the same place and when you mix alchohol it can get irritating. Also throw in the fact that you are staying at 2 different places makes it tougher.

If it were me I would look into seeing if you can all stay at the same place preferable near the action. Then I would rent a car for local trips but probably just get a cab for those nighttime adventures (especially if drinking) because we all want to come back safe.

Have a blast man but be safe.

[ErikS]

Hondo, with 5 guys it can be a blast or a nightmare (relatively speaking cause DR is paradise). With 5 guys the issue is getting guys to go to the same place and when you mix alchohol it can get irritating. Also throw in the fact that you are staying at 2 different places makes it tougher.

If it were me I would look into seeing if you can all stay at the same place preferable near the action. Then I would rent a car for local trips but probably just get a cab for those nighttime adventures (especially if drinking) because we all want to come back safe.

Have a blast man but be safe.

Good advice. You don't want to be driving drunk at night!
Taxi's can be cheap as long as you negotiate.

[Jimmydr]

5 guys will never group to go anywhere at the same time but home.

[the_Jayman]

My last trip 5 of us stayed @ Billy's Field of Dreams. We had a driver with a mini-van who was on call 24/7. We negotiated $80 a day but ended up giving him $100 per day (4 days total). This included multiple airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

One night we were back at the hotel and hungry (about 3 in the morning) we sent him out for chickens.

One night we were in Sosua and I wanted to split so he drove me back to the hotel and then returned to Sosua for the other guys.

One night we all went out with Billy and Frank and ended up at Franks. One guy was ready to split so we called our driver and he was there instantly (or so it seemed anyway) drove him home and then returned for the rest of us at which point we stopped for more chickens.

The hard part was getting out of the damn hotel (see my related story, "the BBQ from hell") It was impossible to get everyone ready at the same time ! !

Would I do it again ? I don't know. I had a driver for my entire stay for $100.

[the_Jayman]

Any referrals?

Escort_King arranged it before my arrival so you'd have to get contact info from him.

[gdogg]

Jayman's driver thought he won the lottery. He got to experience Stratton's food!