Key, the website that Susan suggests is very useful. Learn as much Spanish as you can before this summer. I was born in a southern province, but grew up in and around the capital for most of my life - though I don't consider myself a Capitale?a. Basically, Sto. Dgo. is a lot of fun. As a 20 year-old you won't have any problems finding fun places - dance clubs, theatres, museums, good restaurants, and other attractions - whatever you prefer. But Sto. Dgo. is also a large city [I believe the largest in the Caribbean] and as such, you will also find crime, pollution, noise, people trying to make a fast peso, you know, what you will find in many other places. Use your common sense...don't flash jewlery around and stick to the safer areas of the city. I would spend some time in the Colonial Zone if I were you. You will get to learn a lot of the history of the country where your dad is from. I wouldn't drive in the DR if I were you also, specially if one is not used to driving down there.
I would suggest sticking around this board and asking as many questions as you want. There are many well-imformed people here about Sto. Dgo. and the DR in general. Some (non-Dominicans) even travel to my country more often than I do myself, so they are a wealth of knowledge. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Natasha
