Sup said:
No I have not purchased my ticket yet. Kinda want to know for sure where I'm going. So I am wide open to suggestions/recommendations. Thanks for clearing up the "chicas" thing. (duh)
Since you haven't yet made your reservations, my suggestion would be the North Coast; either Sosua (big party town, many chica infested discos), Puerto Plata (nice beaches, mostly all inclusive hotels, more touristy discos), or Cabarete (smaller, more laid-back, known as the windsurfing capital of the world). You would fly into the Puerto Plata Airport (POP) for any of those locations.
The other alternative would be the South Coast. You would fly into the Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ), and could either stay in Boca Chica (similar to Sosua, but a little smaller, and lately a little dead) or Juan Dolio. Both towns are on the beach. Staying on the South Coast would allow you to make a day trip into the city of Santo Domingo (you could possibly rent a car and driver for under $100 for the day, the driver could take you to all the good spots for a first time tourist).
As far as Santiago, parts of it is also a dirty crowded city, while other parts are very nice. Unfortunately, IMHO, it doesn't offer much for the first time tourist.
BTW, there are many, many other areas of the DR you could go to. But IMHO, I feel the ones mentioned are the best for a single first time traveler. Have fun!