Internet & Phone
The Dominican Republic has a surprisingly good digital infrastructure — at least in tourist zones and cities.
Mobile & SIM Cards
Three providers dominate the market:
- Claro: Largest network, best coverage even in rural areas. Recommendation No. 1
- Altice: Second largest, good coverage in cities and tourist zones
- Viva: Smallest, but often cheaper data packages
A local SIM card is the best option: Available at the airport or in any Claro/Altice shop. Price: approx. 200–500 DOP (3–8 USD) for the SIM + data package. Data packages: 3 GB for 200 DOP, 7 GB for 400 DOP. Passport needed for registration.
Alternative: eSIM (Airalo, Holafly) — buy online in advance, activate upon arrival. 5 GB for approx. 15 USD. Convenient, but more expensive than a local SIM.
Wi-Fi
Hotels, resorts, and cafés almost always have free Wi-Fi. Quality: Good in resorts and cities (10–50 Mbit/s), often slow in rural areas and backpacker accommodations. Las Terrenas has surprisingly good internet — a popular digital nomad spot.
Roaming
EU roaming does NOT apply in the Dominican Republic. Data roaming can become extremely expensive (up to 15 EUR/MB!). Disable data roaming on your phone and use a local SIM or eSIM.
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 911 |
| Fire Department | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 |
| Tourist Police (CESTUR) | +1 809 200 3500 |
💡 Tipp
Buy a Claro SIM card at the airport (the stand is right after passport control). 500 DOP (approx. 8 USD) including 5 GB of data and calls is enough for 2 weeks. This way you have navigation everywhere (Google Maps is invaluable in the chaos of Dominican streets), Uber in Santo Domingo, and WhatsApp.