There are five best ways to rent a car in Haiti. Individuals
or companies that need to rent one or more vehicles, have at least five options
in the local market: renting, rent a car, one way, to leasing and rental by the
hour, allowing you to leave the agency with keys a car in your hands.
The decision to use one or the other mode involves
determining aspects such as the time required for the car, specific
transportation needs and budget.
The requirements to rent a car in Haiti is no different than
any of the services listed: to leave a credit card deposit to pay for damages
or insurance deductibles, submitting the certificate or license a day and be more
than 25 years.
There are companies in the metropolitan area who rent the
car by the hours, you book the day before, goes to pick up from one of the car
rental agencies, used it and it be may return in another part of the city.
If the vehicle was use for a few hours, some companies will
let you for the hours it was used. But remember hourly rate are usually very
high. You may consider to keep it for an entire day instead of paying by the
hour. But most car rental in Haiti use the daily rate instead, matter of it’s
very difficult to find a company that will rent you a vehicle just for a couple
of hours.
A few companies in Haiti, for the payment of an annual
membership of $ 200.00 you can rent a car by the hours. Simply make a
reservation by phone or via the Internet a day earlier.
This is a novel alternative, explains Maria Lopez, Director
of Marketing for the Asus Rent a Car brand, because customers do not have to
think about maintenance, fuel they can come here and pick up a car for a few
hours and return it when they done.
The models are rented Nissan, Kia Sorento, and Toyota
automatic or manual, relatively new and for every hour that they rent, they will
be charged $ 8.99 plus insurance. Some people find it to be more convenient for
them.
Leasing. The bigger Haiti car rental agencies offers leasing
for companies with a maximum of one year. Contracts are weekly or monthly, and
no limit on the number of units of a float.
"This allows them to not worry regarding the
maintenance and insurance of the cars and go about their business in a more
profitable manner," company like Digicel have similar arrangement with Avis.
Company like Asus Rent a Car also provides also offers the
normal rent. Rent for a day or a week, for those who want to take your family
in car on vacation or have to rent a car in Haiti because their personal
vehicle is being repaired.
The most affluent customers, like the NGO’s or VIPs coming
to Haiti searched for Avis because of their large fleet of high end luxury
vehicles, like Toyota Land cruiser and the smaller companies offer second hand
well maintain vehicles, like small to medium SUVs: Terios, Kia, Hyundai and
Vitara.
The average rental cost per day varies with the model and
the agency, but generally speaking, it’s between $100 to $200 for big luxury
SUVs and $50 to $90 for smaller to medium SUVs.
For reference, she explained, Monica Lopez from Asus Rent a
Car, a small SUV would cost around $ 65 per day and $ 450 per week, with the
basic insurance included. A Medium SUV could cost $ 80 per day and $ 575 under
the same conditions. To rent a car in Haiti is not cheap, but if make sure you
bargain for better deal and most of the time you will get an extra 5 to 10 %
discount.
The leasing. This method allows for a car for a longer
period. The company will lease the right to use it with a commitment to pay an
income for a specified period.
At the end of the contract, the customer has the option of
purchasing the property, paying a certain price or renew the lease for a newer
model.
Erick Montero, Regional Director of Leasing at Scotia bank,
said that option is desired by companies that need to buy goods for their
productivity, whether using executive vehicles, fleets and machinery.
The Cathay Bank offers this service, but not individual
choices, but only for companies, as said Jorge Lopez, head of Credit and
Leasing of this financial institution.
"Used and new models will be funded, with no more than
five years old," he said.
Renting a car in Haiti with driver included. For people who are not
licensed and do not want to take on dangerous roads of Haiti, there is also an
option: one way, Asus offered all their client the option to rent a car with a
driver, the driver will be available for you at the time of pick up and will
drive you anywhere you want to go.
If traveling outside Port-au-Prince you will have to pay for
food and lodging. The average for a driver is $20.00 to $40.00 per day
depending on the company.
This service, according to Marketing Manager, Maria Lopez,
is offered in the metropolitan area, but also move clients from all over the
island.
Other Resources
Car rental tips that save you ca$h
Car rental tips - Independaent Traveler
Other Resources
Car rental tips that save you ca$h
Car rental tips - Independaent Traveler
