SIM cards and eSIM in Dominican Republic

Which carriers matter, what buying a SIM involves, and when an eSIM is the smarter move.

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App Store Play Store See plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration: Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
Tourist plans and prices: Typical prepaid offers include around 5 GB, while starter prices begin near 100 DOP (~$1.75).
Where to buy: Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
Local eSIM: A travel eSIM is the simpler option and avoids local SIM registration steps.

Good to know

Do not rely on buying a SIM at the airport; install a travel eSIM or plan a city-store stop.

Local carriers

Claro
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
Altice
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
Viva
The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.

eSIM and SIM cards by country→

Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Source dates: Traveltomtom DR guide: ~9 Jul 2026 (FIRST-HAND) | Traveltomtom Santo Domingo Airport: 10 Feb 2026 (FIRST-HAND, source of the PUJ and STI no-SIM-shop finding) | Phone Travel Wiz: last updated 29 Feb 2024 | Roafly: 10 Dec 2025 | Paso Dominican (local Sosua/Cabarete/Puerto Plata guide): 18 Jan 2026 | eSIM Ahora: 22 May 2026 (eSIM seller, source of the disputed airport pricing) | Holafly: 13 Jun 2026 (eSIM seller) | Esim.net: undated

Sources disagree: Registration practice or tourist eligibility still varies between published accounts. Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my passport to buy a SIM card in Dominican Republic?

Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.

What is the best eSIM for Dominican Republic?

Guac eSIM covers Dominican Republic with data plans starting from $1.50 per GB and instant activation, so your phone is online the moment you land. Airalo and Holafly are popular alternatives.

← All essential apps for Dominican Republic

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App Store Play Store See plans

Airalo

One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.

Holafly

Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.

Buying a local SIM card ID registration required

Registration

Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.

Tourist plans and prices

Typical prepaid offers include around 5 GB, while starter prices begin near 100 DOP (~$1.75).

Where to buy

Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.

Local eSIM

A travel eSIM is the simpler option and avoids local SIM registration steps.

Good to know

Do not rely on buying a SIM at the airport; install a travel eSIM or plan a city-store stop.

Local carriers

Claro

Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.

Altice

Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.

Viva

The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.

Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Sources disagree: Registration practice or tourist eligibility still varies between published accounts. Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my passport to buy a SIM card in Dominican Republic?

Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.

What is the best eSIM for Dominican Republic?

Guac eSIM covers Dominican Republic with data plans starting from $1.50 per GB and instant activation, so your phone is online the moment you land. Airalo and Holafly are popular alternatives.