I second this. Don't use a credit card you're not prepared to cancel. My credit card did not leave my sight, and I still ended up with fraudulent charges after using it at an Avis location. And like smacmillan83, I know that location was responsible, because it's the only place I used that particular credit card on the entire trip. I would have thought a major car rental agency where credit cards are outright required would be reasonably trustworthy, but apparently not.
Gas stations use chip&pin at the pump, so no issue using credit cards there.
Other than that, we didn't experience any issues, or feel unsafe. We drove to Punta Sur, which is a lovely spot and was not crowded at the time we visited. Upon our return the rental car location was closed for an afternoon break, so we parked on the street for a couple of hours, several blocks off the tourist strip. We walked back to the ship and I later returned on my own to retrieve the car, while my husband stayed on board with the kids (I was the only authorized driver on the car). I felt a little conspicuous walking the residential streets alone, but it was fine. Nobody paid me much attention.
there is a good restaurant there their server told them about so they went.
