Planning our first trip to Dominican Republic

[Howkard]

We've done Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, hit up a bunch of Caribbean spots over the years. Somehow never made it to the Dominican Republic though, and that's about to change in two weeks. Neither of us are beach loungers, couple hours max and we're ready to see actual stuff. Where should we be driving to, what's actually worth the trip? And yeah, where do we grab a rental car that won't screw us over?

[Tormen]

The Dominican Republic's got way more going on than the all-inclusive strips most people never leave. If you're into old architecture and history, the colonial zone in Santo Domingo is worth checking out, cobblestone streets and fortresses that actually feel authentic. Up in the north you've got waterfalls near Cabarete where you can climb through them instead of just standing there taking photos. For rentals, skip the airport kiosks, they'll charge double what you'd pay booking online beforehand.

[Davidian]

Having your own car means you set the pace and go where you want without being tied to anyone else's schedule. The spots that actually matter are usually off the main tourist routes anyway. Check out car rental options in the Dominican Republic here: https://getrentacar.com/en-US/dominican-republic . Compare what's available, make sure you know exactly what the insurance covers before signing anything. Book ahead and pick it up right when you arrive.