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Dominican Republic: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

(The) Dominican Republic, sometimes confused with Dominica, is known for its beaches, wildlife, and its thrilling nightlife.

It is probably also (one of) the cheapest travel destination in the Caribbean, where spending less than 50 USD a day could get you dar.

The Dominican Republic is also the Caribbean nation with the third-largest population (10.8 million), behind Haiti (11.4 million) and Cuba (11.3 million), but far ahead Jamaica (3 million) – the country with the fourth-largest population.

But what can you do in this exciting nation?

Well, you can sunbathe on the many beaches throughout the country, including Playa Macao, Playa Rincon & Bavaro Beach.

You can also explore the Cayo Levantado beach, which has a lot of cool restaurants with tasty snacks.

Or you can explore waterfalls, including 27 Waterfalls.

As you can see, there is no reason to be bored in the Dominican Republic.

Before you post your beach-body photos on Instagram and Facebook, be aware that international roaming can be expensive.

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 Dominican Republic?

You can get an eSIM for Dominican Republic for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 47 USD from Airalo (Acuntel) & Holafly.

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

Buying an eSIM for the Dominican Republic (logos of Holafly, Nomad, Acuntel, Alosim & Airalo)

Original publication: 29th of September 2022. Last updated: 7th of March 2024.


Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about two eSIM options in Dominican Republic (and explain why they are included).

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

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 eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Dominican Republic-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 Dominican Republic 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?


Airalo Acuntel eSIM for Dominican Republic

Airalo Logo
© Airalo

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 Dominican Republic or the Caribbean in general, but let's not get ahead of ourselves 😏.

Anyway, the Airalo eSIM for Dominican Republic is called Acuntel and uses the Claro Dominican Republic network (on 4G/LTE – no 5G NR yet).

Dominican Republic Acuntel eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

Wait… why does the Acuntel eSIM use the Claro Dominican Republic network?

Claro Logo New
© Claro

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 Acuntel 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 Dominican Republic.

  1. Dominican Republic/Acuntel 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD
  2. Dominican Republic/Acuntel 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 18 USD
  3. Dominican Republic/Acuntel 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 25 USD
  4. Dominican Republic/Acuntel 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 39.50 USD
Airalo Dominican Republic Acuntel eSIM with Prices
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

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 Acuntel eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Acuntel 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 the Dominican Republic soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Dominican Republic Acuntel 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 Acuntel eSIM is the cheapest eSIM mentioned in this guide.

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

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

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Acuntel 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 Acuntel 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)).

  • Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
SIM Card Registration Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

Anyway, the Airalo Dominican Republic Acuntel eSIM is an affordable option to stay connected in the country.


Holafly eSIM for Dominican Republic

Holafly Logo
© Holafly

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 Dominican Republic.

Phone Travel Wiz x Holafly Banner
No unlimited data for Dominican Republic

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

Unlike the Airalo Acuntel eSIM, you have a few more options with Holafly for Dominican Republic, which I will list below:

  1. Dominican Republic 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  2. Dominican Republic 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 34 USD
  3. Dominican Republic 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 37 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  4. Dominican Republic 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

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

Holafly Dominican Republic eSIMs
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

The Holafly Dominican Republic eSIM uses the Claro Dominican Republic network, the best in the country.

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

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

It is because if you use less than 3.5 GB of data, getting multiple top-ups for the Airalo Acuntel eSIM is cheaper than getting a Holafly Dominican Republic eSIM.

Only if you use more than 3.5 GB of data will Holafly be cheaper.

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

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

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

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

Holafly Travel eSIM Reviews by Phone Travel Wiz

International eSIM for Dominican Republic & More Caribbean Countries

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

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Dominican Republic and not in neighboring Aruba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, or Venezuela.

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 have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic and other countries, including Dominican Republic's neighbors.


Airalo Island Hopper eSIM for Dominican Republic

Island Hopper Caribbean eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

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

The Island Hopper eSIM can be used in the following 24 Caribbean countries:

  • Aruba
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Bonaire
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Curaçao
  • Dominica
  • French Guiana 1
  • Grenada 2
  • Guadeloupe
  • Haiti
  • Jamaica
  • Martinique
  • Montserrat 2
  • Panama
  • Puerto Rico
  • Saint Kitts & Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos Islands


1 the Latamlink eSIM covers French Guiana too – it has better options than Island Hopper (1 GB/7 days, 2 GB/15 days, 3 GB/30 days & 5 GB/30 days) in Central- and South America. However, if you do not visit those regions and stay in the Caribbean only, then stick with the Island Hopper eSIM instead
2 on 3G only

Airalo Island Hopper Caribbean eSIM Eligible Countries Map Infographic by Phone Travel Wiz (October 2023 Version)

As you can see, the Island Hopper eSIM cannot be used in Dominican Republic (yet).

However, as many who visit Dominican Republic do not just stay in Dominican Republic (Aruba or Puerto Rico as well), you can consider it

Anyway, like the Acuntel 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).

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 Dominican Republic because the Acuntel 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 :).


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

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

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

Phone Travel Wiz Approved Seal

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


Buying a SIM Card in Dominican Republic

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

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

Buying a SIM Card in the Dominican Republic Guide (logos of Claro, Altice & Viva).png