Car hire in David, Panama

Compare car hire from trusted providers

Book car hire with confidence

Save big on car hire in David

Find a cheap car hire deal

Search for David car hire near you

Choose from 16 pick-up spots

Find the best car rental locations in David

See all car hire locations

The most popular car rental companies in David

Hiring a car in David: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companySixt
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$60
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in David

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your David car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in David

  • Searching for a cheap rental car in David? You're in just the right place. With prices averaging $60 a day, we compare the best deals so you can book faster, spend smarter, and feel good about what you paid.

  • $23 is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental in David.

  • Staying a little longer and want to go further than the usual stops? $136 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • Here's the secret to booking at the right time. Three weeks in advance is when you're most likely to find the best price on a David car hire.

  • Thrifty, Firefly and Ace Rent a Car are some of the most reliable providers in the city. They're a smart place to start comparing offers.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your David car hire policy, whether you go with Thrifty or any other supplier. Some companies offer it as a paid extra instead of including it.

  • Booking one-way could land you a discount on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in David.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. No surprise refueling fees tacked on at the end either.

  • Hit the highway without counting the miles and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you go the distance.

Best value car hire options right now

  • In the number-one spot for value is this company, with average prices of $41 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $74, this provider comes in next.

  • The third option also helps keep your travel costs low. Expect to pay roughly $62 a day for one of their rentals.

  • The Compact rental category is a reliable option if you can't decide which wheels are right for you. It's also the most commonly booked car type in David.

Flying to David? Think about an airport pick-up

  • Take the hassle out of arrival day by booking a car hire at Enrique Malek Airport. If you're flying to David through this airport, simply pick up your ride after landing and be on your way. The drive to the city centre is about 6 kilometres and takes around 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in David

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in David gives you the freedom to explore for less. These compact, fuel-efficient cars are ideal for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: A top choice when you need something that's easy to manoeuvre but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the luggage, the snacks, the lot. Large vehicles have got the capacity to handle it all without breaking a sweat. Perfect for long-distance journeys, this David car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: When the urge to explore hits, an SUV's all in. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for backroads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also offer extra space and improved safety features.

  • Van: Go for this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in David that can handle the big jobs. Typically featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, suitcases or groups of people.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your David car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or damage. Insurance policies aren't the same across all rental providers, so compare before you commit.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in David by adding some handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that'll help you park like a pro.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals vary by provider (and even car type), so know the rules before you book. Some providers in Panama may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you fall outside the typical age range, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.

  • Kids coming with you? Child car seat laws differ from place to place, and the correct setup may depend on their age, weight and height. Make sure you add the right one to your David car hire reservation.

  • Come prepared to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll typically need your physical driver's licence (no screenshots) and another form of photo ID. Also bring a credit card with enough available balance to cover the deposit. If extra requirements apply, your booking will list them.

  • Driving in Panama might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits may vary, but it's usually around 45kph in urban areas and 110kph or so on highways. Always follow the posted signs.

  • In Panama, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you expect to drink, get someone else to do the driving or arrange a taxi or ride-share instead.

  • Aim to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a faster run. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

Best hotels in David for drivers

  • Spend less time looking for a place to park and more time relaxing at Hotel Castilla. Around 0.48 kilometres from central David, it comes with parking, a lounge and a 24-hour front desk.

  • Hampton by Hilton David makes things simpler with parking and features like luggage storage and express check-in. It's roughly 0.80 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the lineup of hotels in David for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the perfect fit. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • After you've locked in a car hire deal in David and the right hotel, the only thing left is to decide where to explore first. Get things started with must-see attractions such as Llano del Medio Park, Municipal Park and Altos del Rio Park.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from David

  • Keep travelling to La Concepción. Around 23 kilometres northwest of central David, you'll find must-sees like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Iglesia Católica Inmaculada Concepción.

  • Add Volcán to your list of stops. Pick up your cheap car hire in David and drive about 48 kilometres northwest to explore leading attractions like Lagunas Adventures on The Janson Coffee Farm and Distrito Tierras Altas.

  • Volcán has some comfortable accommodation options such as Los Brezos Hotel Boutique and Hotel Bambito by Faranda Boutique, a Member of Radisson Individuals. Both are convenient choices for guests with cars.

  • Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Santiago de Veraguas, around 161 kilometres east of David. Kick things off at Santiago the Apostle Cathedral, Santiago de Veraguas, then take your time exploring La Placita San Juan De Dios.

  • Next on your itinerary is some serious shut-eye. Hotel Gran David and Hotel Mykonos have space for both you and your wheels while visiting Santiago de Veraguas.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in David will set you back around $60 per day or $140 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in David is an intermediate SUV. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire company in David is currently Ace Rent a Car, followed by Hertz.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in David is currently March.
On average, around $140. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in David is $136.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in David for a whole month is $1,074. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore David, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in David that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of David.
Most places – David included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $32 per day. The average price per day is around $66.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Sixt, Hertz and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Sixt as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in David.