Power & Connectivity (SIM)

The Dominican Republic uses 110–120V / 60Hz with North American Type A and Type B sockets (two flat pins, plus a round earth pin on Type B). Travellers from 220–240V countries need a Type A/B adapter and, for devices that are not dual-voltage, a converter. Power cuts (apagones) can occur, so a power bank is handy.

The main operators are Claro (the largest), Altice (formerly Orange) and Viva, with good 4G/LTE in cities and resort areas. Prepaid SIMs are sold at the airport, carrier shops and colmados (corner stores); bring your passport to register. Top up (recargar) easily at shops and kiosks.

eSIM travel plans are a convenient option: buy one online before arrival with a provider like Airalo and install it in minutes, with no physical SIM or shop visit. It is handy for staying connected the moment you land at Punta Cana or Santo Domingo.

Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels, resorts, cafés and restaurants. All-inclusive resorts usually offer property-wide Wi-Fi, though speeds can be variable at the beach or in rooms. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking, and consider a SIM/eSIM for reliable data on the move.

The Dominican Republic has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally, and WhatsApp is widely used for everyday communication.

Handy apps include ride-hailing like Uber and inDrive (available in Santo Domingo and Santiago), WhatsApp for everyday contact, plus maps and translation. Google Maps works well for navigation. Card payment is common in cities, but carry some pesos for colmados, guaguas and small vendors.

The Dominican Republic is part of the North American Numbering Plan with country code +1 and area codes 809, 829 and 849. App-based calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar) are very common and cheap. Save numbers in full +1 809/829/849 format so they work from any network.