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Heading to the Dominican Republic and worried about how to stay online? The good news is you can comfortably navigate, communicate with locals, and stay connected with loved ones even on tropical islands like Punta Cana. One way is to get a local Dominican Republic SIM card. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the best options for a SIM card in the Dominican Republic, including prices, plans, and tourist requirements. However, if your phone supports eSIM technology (most do), you might be more interested in an unlimited data travel eSIM

sim card dominican republic

Will my SIM work in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, your existing prepaid SIM card will work as usual, and you can use your phone in the Dominican Republic

This said, you will be required to pay roaming fees to use your current home plan (unless it includes free roaming in the Dominican Republic). The tables below show whether top mobile providers from the USA, Canada, and the UK include roaming services for the Dominican Republic. 

Do US SIM cards work in the Dominican Republic?

The top three mobile carriers in the USA include T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. This table shows whether each carrier offers roaming services for the Dominican Republic for your existing SIM and plan. 

CarrierPlan/roaming passWill the SIM work?
AT&TInternational Day Pass, Unlimited Premium UsersYes
Verizon International Travel PassYes
T-Mobile Essentials, Go5G™, Magento MAX, international roaming passYes

Do Canada SIM cards work in the Dominican Republic?

Canada’s top three mobile carriers include Rogers, Bell, and Telus. Here’s how you can use your phone in the Dominican Republic with a Canadian SIM card.

CarrierPlan/roaming passWill the SIM work?
Telus Easy Roam Travel Pass Yes 
Bell Roam Better, Caribbean and Mexico 7-day Pass Yes 
Rogers Travel Pass, Roam Like Home Yes

Do UK SIM cards work in the Dominican Republic?

The UK’s top three providers include EE, Vodafone, and O2. These providers offer roaming passes, add-ons, and roaming-inclusive plans for international destinations, including the Dominican Republic.

CarrierPlan/roaming passWill the SIM work?
EE No passes/plans, only add-ons Yes
VodafoneRoaming passes Yes 
O2Data roaming bolt-ons Yes 

Overall, while you can use your existing SIM in the Dominican Republic, to avoid high roaming charges and stay connected at more affordable rates, opting for a local prepaid SIM card or a digital SIM is recommended. 

Where to buy a Dominican Republic SIM card?

You can buy a SIM card for the Dominican Republic before you travel, or in person once you arrive (at the airport or local stores). 

Purchasing a Dominican Republic SIM card beforehand is the better option if you’d like to be connected on arrival, but you’ll be responsible for any registration or activation procedures. 

If you buy a local prepaid SIM card in person, the staff will handle the registration process for you. 

  • Before you travel: Order your SIM for the Dominican Republic from online third-party retailers such as Amazon, SimOptions, and SimCorner. You can have it delivered straight to your home address before your trip. 
  • After you land: Grab a local SIM card in person at Claro and Altice kiosks in Las Americas International Airport, Bluemall Punta Cana, Santiago city center, official provider shops, or any local convenience store. 

If you’d rather skip the SIM swapping and registration process, consider an eSIM instead. Purchasing and activating eSIM plans is easy, especially with providers like Holafly. Install your eSIM before your trip and activate it via QR code or manually during your flight or once you arrive. No complicated instructions or lengthy activation processes to endure.

Holafly’s eSIM for the Dominican Republic: Activate unlimited data immediately

Skip the search for a physical prepaid SIM card or limited local SIM card options, and choose Holafly’s eSIM for the Dominican Republic instead. With only unlimited data plans, you’ll never worry about running out of mobile data ever again, especially useful for data-heavy apps. Activate instantly via QR code, and get reliable mobile data as soon as you arrive. 

Choose an eSIM plan between one and 90 days, and enjoy complete flexibility on validity periods. Here are some potential eSIM plans for a trip to the Dominican Republic: 

  • 5-day trip: $31.90 for unlimited data
  • 7-day trip: $39.90 for unlimited data 
  • 10-day trip: $50.90 for unlimited data 

You can top up Holafly eSIM in a few taps via the Holafly app. On the other hand, if you’re headed to the Dominican Republic (or 170+ other worldwide destinations) for an extended stay, consider Holafly Plans instead. Get a rolling monthly eSIM subscription and unlimited data for only $64.90 per month, along with unlimited hotspot

How to buy a SIM card for the Dominican Republic

You can buy a SIM card in person from one of the Dominican Republic’s top three providers: Claro, Altice, or Viva.

Claro SIM card for the Dominican Republic

Claro offers wide coverage across the Dominican Republic and a reliable network. Their prepaid SIM cards cost 150 DOP (~$2 USD) and tourist data packages start from 3 GB to 5 GB plans with three to five-day validity periods. 

Where to buy a Claro SIM card for tourists: 

  • Santo Domingo Airport (Claro kiosk)
  • Bluemall Punta Cana (official Claro retail store)
  • Santiago city center 
  • Local convenience stores

Altice SIM card for the Dominican Republic

Altice also offers reliable network coverage and is a popular choice for both tourists and locals. Unlike Claro, Altice’s prepaid SIM cards are free and offer a variety of data packages with different options including unlimited data for one to five days for 49 DOP (~$1) to 139 DOP (~$2) and the tourist package with 15 GB data, unlimited texts and calls, and 300 DOP credit for 550 DOP (~$10).

Where to buy an Altice SIM card for tourists: 

  • Santo Domingo Airport (Altice kiosk)
  • Bluemall Punta Cana (official Altice retail store)
  • Santiago city center 
  • Local convenience stores and shops 

Viva SIM card for the Dominican Republic

Viva also offers suitable coverage throughout the Dominican Republic and affordable SIM card plans with data, text, and voice options. Some of their packages include 1 to 12 GB data allowances for one to two week validity periods for 44-290 DOP ($1-5). 

Where to buy a Viva SIM card for tourists: 

  • Official Viva stores 
  • Puerto Plata Airport (Viva kiosk)
  • Punta Cana (Viva kiosk)

Requirements to get a prepaid Dominican Republic SIM card

To get a prepaid SIM card for the Dominican Republic, most mobile network providers, including Claro, Altice, and Viva, there are a few requirements you’ll have to fulfil. 

  • Valid passport and a copy 
  • Unlocked and eSIM compatible phone 
  • Proof of accommodation/stay 
  • Payment method (working debit/credit card and local currency in cash)

You’ll also have to sacrifice 30 minutes to an hour of your time for the entire SIM registration process. Don’t want the hassle? Skip the paperwork, SIM swapping, and queues, and choose Holafly’s eSIM for the Dominican Republic

With Holafly, you can relax on the iconic Punta Cana beaches or witness the humpback whales in Samana with reliable mobile data and peace of mind. 

FAQs about Dominican Republic SIM cards

How much is a SIM card in the Dominican Republic?

The price of a SIM card in the Dominican Republic varies depending on the package and provider. Basic packages tend to be cheaper, 50-200 DOP (~$1-5), while comprehensive SIM card packages start from 200 DOP+ (~$5).

How can I top-up a Dominican SIM card?

You can top up Claro, Viva, and Atice SIM cards in person by visiting the official retail stores or online using each provider’s respective apps. 

What is the best SIM card for the Dominican Republic?

While all three Dominican Republic mobile providers offer solutions to staying connected, Claro’s tourist SIM card plans and wide coverage are popular among locals and tourists alike. If you’re looking for a great alternative, grab an unlimited data travel eSIM from Holafly instead.

Traveling beyond the Dominican Republic? Here’s how and where to buy a: 

Mahnoor Bangush

Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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