Dominica: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Dominica, sometimes confused with the Dominican Republic, is known for its beaches, thrilling nightlife & the highest peak in the Caribbean (Morne Diablotins).

You can visit the Boiling Lake – a lake heated by lava (just look at it – do not jump in it).

The Trafalgar Falls probably is Dominica's most impressive waterfall.

Or you can swim in the Emerald Pool with a waterfall and crystal clear waters.

Of course, there are plenty of hiking trails throughout Dominica too.

As you can see, there is no reason to be bored in Dominica.

Unlike most Caribbean nations, travel in Dominica is quite inexpensive (for regional standards, at least).

But compared to many other nations around the world, it can still be a pricey country.

So any way to save some cash is always appreciated.

That is why you can be better off with a travel eSIM to save on data costs abroad.

How much will you pay for a travel eSIM for Dominica?

You can get an eSIM for Dominica for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 54 USD from Airalo (Vaina Communications) and Holafly.

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that can be used in Dominica and 110+ other countries, including Dominica's (indirect) neighbors, for competitive rates.

Original publication: 20^th of January 2023. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about four eSIM options in Dominica (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Dominica without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

• Airalo Dominica Vaina Communications eSIM with one 1 GB option (cheapest <7 GB)
• Holafly Dominica eSIM with one 1 GB option (cheapest 7 GB > – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Holafly Caribbean eSIM (covers 16 Caribbean countries with a generous allowance)
• Airalo Island Hopper eSIM with one 1 GB option (covers 24 Caribbean countries at higher prices and just 1 GB of data)

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Dominica-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Dominica 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Vaina Communications eSIM for Dominica

If you have looked for travel eSIMs before, you have undoubtedly read or heard of Airalo – the largest, oldest & most popular eSIM platform out there, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

Airalo is so popular and loved, even by myself, because Airalo's eSIMs are often the most affordable while using (one of) the best local networks while also offering plenty of data options so that you can pick the one that suits your needs.

The latter does not really apply to Dominica or the Caribbean in general, but let's not get ahead of ourselves 😏.

Anyway, the Airalo eSIM for Dominica is called Vaina Communications and uses the Digicel Dominica network (on 4G/LTE – no 5G NR because there is no 5G NR in Dominica yet 🗿).

Wait… why does the Vaina Communications eSIM use the Digicel Dominica network?

Travel eSIM providers like Airalo set up roaming agreements with local mobile operators.

And that is not an Airalo-specific thing – basically all mobile operators do, allowing their customers can still stay connected when abroad (at high prices).

Otherwise, they would need to build their own networks in 190 countries, which is $$$.

For example, 2degrees in New Zealand claims it spent more than a billion (New Zealand) dollars on its network, and New Zealand is not even that big.

Imagine how much it would cost to build your own network in every country out there 😳.

Anyway, you may have been distracted by the term roaming because you may have read stories of travelers going back home facing a 7000 USD roaming bill or something.

Worry not; that will not happen when you use the Vaina Communications eSIM (or any other travel eSIM mentioned in this guide), as long as you make sure to turn data roaming off on your main SIM card.

Okay, that is enough background information – let's check what Airalo's options are in Dominica.

1. Dominica/Vaina Communications 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Vaina Communications eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Vaina Communications 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Dominica soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Dominica Vaina Communications eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

Hopefully, that is not a dealbreaker because the Vaina Communications eSIM is the cheapest eSIM mentioned in this guide.

The main issue with the Vaina Communications eSIM is that it has only one option: 1 GB for 7 days).

But you can make unlimited top-ups with the Vaina Communications eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Vaina Communications 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Dominica soon, but we have to be patient now.

And you know that I would purchase multiple top-ups because I use a lot of data when traveling and testing eSIMs 🤪.

But… do I not often say that local SIM cards or eSIMs are cheaper than any other option, including travel eSIMs?

Yep, that is true (and you have a good memory!) – but you will have to deal with Dominican SIM card registration laws.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

Anyway, the Airalo Dominica Vaina Communications eSIM is an affordable option to stay connected in the country.

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Holafly eSIM for Dominica

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers out there, but it is one of the few that I recommend.

It started with selling, in my opinion, overpriced travel SIM cards before entering the eSIM market with (reasonably priced) eSIMs.

But any resellers pop up every week trying to sell the same service for more cash for themselves while offering zero customer service (which is why you only see me recommend a handful of eSIM providers… ones I have tested myself).

So why do I recommend Holafly?

Mostly because it started offering unlimited data plans for popular travel destinations as of June 2022, giving it some uniqueness.

Those eSIMs can be used in various East– and Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Unfortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are not available in Dominica.

But Holafly did not cover Dominica until recently…. so one step at a time 😜.

Unlike the Airalo Vaina Communications eSIM, you have a few more options with Holafly for Dominica, which I will list below:

1. Dominica 3 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Dominica 7 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 44 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Dominica 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 54 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

The Holafly Dominica eSIM uses the Digicel Dominica network, the best in the country.

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Dominica eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).

Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly Dominica eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data, or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

Holafly is working on top-ups, but it has been working on it for a while now… so keep your expectations low

On the other hand, you can use your phone as a hotspot with your Holafly Dominica eSIM (which you cannot do in countries with unlimited data eSIMs).

On top of that, you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Dominica eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

Okay, but why did I rank Airalo higher than Holafly?

It is because if you use less than 7 GB of data, getting multiple top-ups for the Airalo Vaina Communications eSIM is cheaper than getting a Holafly Dominica eSIM.

Only if you use more than 7 GB of data will Holafly be cheaper.

However, you can use up to 500 MB of data per day with any Holafly Dominica eSIM for some reason.

So if you want to use your data freely, the Airalo Vaina Communications eSIM will be a better option.

But honestly, with the relatively slow data speeds in Dominica, you have to try hard to hit your 500 MB limit in the country, lmao.

Anyway, use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for your Holafly Dominica eSIM and get 5% off!

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International eSIM for Dominica & More Caribbean Countries

Okay, I went over the Dominica travel eSIM options offered by Airalo and Holafly.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Dominica and not in neighboring Guadeloupe or Martinique.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, SimCorner & Simify have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Dominica too.

If you see names that you do not recognize because they have not been mentioned in this guide, it is because they either do not cover Dominica or the prices are criminal – I want you to save money, not get robbed 🗿

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Dominica and other countries, including Dominica's neighbors.

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Holafly Caribbean eSIM for Dominica

Holafly recently introduced upgraded the Caribbean eSIM, covering 16 countries with 6 GB 7 GB of data for 15 days, costing 54 USD/57 EUR/49 GBP/84 AUD/74 CAD.

Below is an overview of all the countries the Holafly Caribbean eSIM can be used:

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!

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Airalo Island Hopper eSIM for Dominica

Airalo also has the Island Hopper eSIM covering 24 countries with 1 GB of data for 7 days, costing 15 USD.

Like the Lucnet eSIM, top-ups are available if you need more data.

The Island Hopper eSIM is not as valuable as other Airalo regional eSIMs (like Asialink for Asia, Eurolink for Europe, Latamlink for Latin America & Menalink for the Middle East).

This is why I recommend the Holafly Caribbean eSIM over the Island Hopper one because you get much more data for the same money.

However, the Holafly eSIM does not cover as many countries as the Island Hopper eSIM.

I am working with Airalo to turn the Island Hopper into a -link eSIM so that it offers you better value (the -link eSIMs have at least four variants, up to 100 GB of data for 180 days, making top-ups often unnecessary).

But do not get the Island Hopper eSIM just for Saint Lucia because the Lucnet eSIM is more than half the price of Island Hopper.

For now, you still have an eSIM covering almost all of the Caribbean, which is neat :).

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Overview of the Best eSIMs for Dominica (Airalo vs. Holafly)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Dominica.

While I have already informed you which eSIM(s) I recommend the most, I will list them once more for you

• Airalo Dominica Vaina Communications eSIM (cheapest <7 GB)
• Holafly Dominica eSIM (cheapest 7 GB >)
• Holafly Caribbean eSIM (covers 16 Caribbean countries with a generous allowance)
• Airalo Island Hopper eSIM (covers 24 Caribbean countries at higher prices and just 1 GB of data)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Dominica

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Dominica SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.