Will your phone work in the Dominican Republic? What you need to know

Will your US phone work in the Dominican Republic?

The good news is that most US phones work in the Dominican Republic. Ultimately, your device can still turn on and function basically anywhere as long as it’s charged. What you’re probably wondering, though, is whether or not your phone’s internet will be usable. That’s a more complex question, and the answer largely comes down to frequency bands. 

Phones in the Dominican Republic use GSM-based networks (the standard cellular network technology used worldwide), providing the same frequency bands that AT&T and T-Mobile rely on. Other carriers, like Verizon, used to rely on CDMA networks, but are now shifting towards GSM integration too. Post-2020 iPhones, Samsung Galaxy models, and Google Pixels are all designed to handle multiple international frequency bands, meaning they’ll probably work as soon as you arrive.

Basically, as long as your phone isn’t a brick, it should have the capacity to get online in the Dominican Republic. Where you might run into trouble is if your phone is locked to a US carrier or if your mobile plan lacks an international roaming function. Luckily, you’ve got a lot of options to solve these problems.

What factors determine if your phone works in the Dominican Republic?

When you’re in the Dominican Republic, will your phone be an essential piece of smart tech or just an expensive camera? That will be decided by a few factors.

First, there’s network compatibility. As we’ve already mentioned, the Dominican Republic’s mobile networks operate on GSM technology, using frequency bands that are pretty common worldwide. Specifically, those frequencies are 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE bands, including 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz. The LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 7, and 28 are also covered by GSM. 5G is increasingly available on bands n41 and n78. Most US smartphones are now built to handle all of these, especially if you bought your device after 2020.

Next, you need to work out whether your device is unlocked (nothing to do with lockscreens and pins, of course). Phones locked to a US mobile provider won’t work with a Dominican Republic SIM card or even an international travel SIM. Most devices are unlocked, but check with your provider to be on the safe side — they’ll unlock it for you if you request it.

Finally, we need to talk about roaming. Even if a phone’s hardware works in the Dominican Republic, your mobile plan needs to allow for international use. Most providers have some arrangement for roaming, which means they’ll connect you automatically to local carriers — for a price. Roaming fees can be extremely high, so it’s worth looking into some alternative options for getting online while you’re there.

Check if your phone will work in the Dominican Republic

Before you jet off to paradise, you should make sure your phone will definitely work there. Visit your device manufacturer’s website to check your model’s network specifications and supported frequency bands. Cross-reference those with the ones used in the Dominican Republic to see if you’re good to go. Once again, those bands are 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE bands like 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900 MHz, and LTE bands 2, 3, 4, 7, and 28.

If you’re in any doubt, or just don’t have the time for extra research, contact your provider directly.

Assuming your mobile device can get online abroad, take some time to review your provider’s roaming terms. Every cell company has its own rules for roaming — some offer limited amounts of high-speed internet, which then defaults to a slower connection if you use up your initial allowance. Other providers let you buy day-passes, which can be affordable for short trips but less helpful for extended international use. 

Will your phone charger work in the Dominican Republic?

If you’re coming from the US, your phone charger will work in the Dominican Republic. The country uses the same Type A and Type B plugs and operates on a 120V supply at 60Hz — just like back home. 

Even if you’re traveling from somewhere else in the world, finding a US adapter is pretty easy. You can order a cheap adapter online if you plan ahead, or pick up a suspiciously expensive one at the airport.

Ways to stay connected in the Dominican Republic

You’ve checked that your phone is unlocked and ready for international use, and you’ve decided that the Dominican Republic is one of the best Caribbean islands to visit for your next getaway. Now it’s time to work out how you’re getting online while you’re there. 

Physical SIM card

One pretty reliable way to get internet access is picking up a local SIM card when you arrive in the Dominican Republic. You’ll find prepaid SIMs from major providers like Claro, Altice, and Viva at the airport, as well as in shopping malls and smaller phone stores. A Dominican Republic SIM card can be expensive (especially if you add in an activation fee), but they’re usually cheaper than international roaming.

However, to use a prepaid card you’ll have to physically swap out your SIM, so your US number won’t be active while the Dominican one is live. You may also need to deal with a language barrier if you’re buying the SIM in the Dominican Republic. To make life simpler, you can always order a SIM card in advance and get it set up before you travel.

International roaming

If you’d rather keep things simple, you can stick with your US carrier’s international roaming services. Many carriers offer travel passes or daily roaming packages that let you use your existing plan abroad. It’s convenient since you’ll keep your number and don’t have to fuss with new SIM cards.

The downside? Roaming can be pricey. Daily rates add up fast — you could be looking at US$10 or more per day — and data speeds might be slower than you’re used to. It’s a hassle-free choice but almost never the best-value option available.

Wi-Fi

Public and hotel Wi-Fi networks are another option, especially for those sticking close to their accommodation or popular tourist areas. Many restaurants, cafés, and hotels offer free Wi-Fi, and it’s a handy way to stay connected without touching your mobile data.

That said, Wi-Fi coverage can be patchy in more remote areas, and public networks aren’t always secure. For those worried about online privacy, renting a portable Wi-Fi hotspot is another alternative, though these tend to be a little pricey and need to be reserved in advance.

eSIM

If you have an unlocked, compatible phone, an eSIM is probably the simplest and most affordable option available. So what is an eSIM? It’s sometimes referred to as an eSIM card, but it’s entirely digital. In this context, an eSIM is a service, available through an app, that automatically connects your device to local mobile providers without running up roaming charges. 

Forget about hunting for physical SIM cards at the airport kiosks — an eSIM is all digital and can be bought and activated before or during travel. Unlike a pocket Wi-Fi, you don’t have to pay for an extra piece of hardware, either. The only real requirement is a compatible device, and these days most smartphones will work with eSIM.

Why the Saily eSIM service is the best option for staying connected in the Dominican Republic

When it comes to hassle-free, affordable internet, a Saily eSIM service keeps life simple, fast, and affordable. With instant digital delivery, you can set up your data plan before you travel, and it will activate as soon as you land.

Saily offers flexible prepaid data plans, so you can find a package that works for your specific trip length and the way you like to spend your vacation. Planning to keep internet use to a minimum and focus on living in the moment on a short trip? You probably only need 1 GB for a week, especially if your primary usage is on Wi-Fi. Likely to be online every day, streaming shows and making video calls? Thirty days with 5 GB might be the wiser move. 

Setting up an eSIM for the Dominican Republic is pretty easy. Just choose your plan on the Saily website, download the eSIM app, and activate your plan. With no roaming charges and no physical SIM to worry about, the benefits of an eSIM can be enjoyed by digital nomads, beach lovers, and anyone concerned about their cybersecurity. That’s right — the Saily app comes with extra security features to protect your data, block ads, and limit online tracking. 

Now it’s time to plan that trip, charge your phone, and let Saily  connect you with high-speed data. We’ll handle the internet while you focus on soaking up the sun (and slurping up those mojitos).