It would seem that nowadays the Internet should be easily accessible in every part of the world. But getting access to the Internet in the Dominican Republic is not so easy. And it is impossible to imagine modern life without it. How can you spend your vacation without social networks, online maps and a translator? How to call loved ones?
Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels in the Dominican Republic. At the same time, it is not a fact that Wi-Fi will be high-quality and free. Hotels may charge an internet fee of $50-$100 per device per stay. Fortunately, some hotels have free internet cafes. Or with an inexpensive hourly payment. Therefore, as a rule, you can get at least some internet in the hotel. And some hotels still provide free Wi-Fi access.
Even if the Wi-Fi quality is unsatisfactory, you will not have to stay without the Internet on vacation. After all, you can always use the local mobile Internet. The cost and coverage of mobile operators in the Dominican Republic are more than satisfactory. In this article we will talk about the following:
- The main providers of mobile Internet in the Dominican Republic: prices, description
- where to buy this card, how to top up, how to find out your balance/number
- answer frequently asked questions about mobile Internet in the Dominican Republic.
It should not be forgotten that each country uses its own frequencies for the operation of 4G networks. Therefore, it is possible that a smartphone purchased in another country may have problems with the operation of 4G networks. In this case, you can try to switch to another mobile provider or use the same SIM card in another smartphone.
Mobile operators of the Dominican Republic
Mobile providers in the Dominican Republic have good coverage and support 4G networks. And in terms of quality, they are not inferior to competitors from Russia and other countries. At the same time, it is enough for a tourist to know about the two largest mobile operators in the Dominican Republic – Claro and Altice. After all, both operators will be suitable for the Internet both in tourist areas and outside their borders.
It is worth noting that you need to buy these cards in the Dominican Republic in official communication salons, and not from street sellers. Otherwise, you may have problems activating it. Similarly, an illegal SIM can be blocked at any moment. At the same time, to issue this card in the communications salon, you must have your passport with you.
Claro
Claro is the most popular mobile provider in the Dominican Republic. More than half of Dominican mobile device users prefer this operator. The official website is claro.com.do. Unfortunately, the site is presented exclusively in Spanish.
Claro has the best coverage in the country, a wide variety of tariff plans. And the prices are at the same level compared to the main competitor – Altice.
Claro offers a wide range of tariffs, including unlimited internet. In fact, the Internet is not completely unlimited – if you use a certain limit of gigabytes, the Internet speed will be significantly reduced.
The three most interesting and profitable tariffs are unlimited internet for 1, 3 or 5 days.
At the same time, the official website immediately states how many gigabytes are included in unlimited tariffs. After the end of the limit, the Internet speed will drop significantly and it will no longer be possible to use it comfortably.
Claro’s line of unlimited tariffs:
| Tariff | Gigabyte included | Cost in Pesos | Estimated cost in dollars | Command to connect |
| Tariff 1 day | 1 GB | $50 | $0.95 | *112*1*1*1*1# |
| Tariff 3 days | 3 GB | $95 | $1.8 | *112*1*1*2*1# |
| Tariff 5 days | 5 GB | $140 | $2.65 | *112*1*1*3*1# |
Current information about tariffs can be found at the Claro tariffs link .
Claro makes sense to use when traveling across the country as it has the best coverage. Among the obvious disadvantages is the need to activate the Internet every 5 days. At the same time, in case of the end of the paid package, the enabled Internet will consume the balance very quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to activate the Internet in advance. And it is better not to top up the phone for a large amount.
Useful commands:
| *147# | find out your phone number |
| *122# | find out the balance |
| *112*1*1*1*1# | Connect an unlimited tariff for 1 day |
| *112*1*1*2*1# | Connect an unlimited tariff for 3 days |
| *112*1*1*3*1# | Connect an unlimited tariff for 5 days |
| *112*2*5# | Check the rest of the Internet |
Connection sequence of the Internet package:
- If the Internet has not been activated before, it is necessary to disable data transmission through it.
- Top up your balance. If the balance is replenished, make sure that there is enough balance by commanding *122#.
- Enter the required tariff from the table. Wait for the SMS about successful connection.
- If the SMS does not arrive, check the balance. If the money has not been debited, try to complete the operation step by step. First, enter the menu via *112#, then dial 1 – 1 – 1(2)(3) – 1 step by step.
- Check again that the Internet is connected. You can use the balance check command or the internet check command to do this.
- Turn on cellular data.
Altice
Altice is the country’s second largest provider. At the same time, you can find information about another mobile provider, Orange, on the Internet. Today, Orange has become part of Altice and it no longer exists as a separate mobile operator.
Current tariffs for Altice Internet packages are presented on the official website: Altice tariffs . The site is presented exclusively in Spanish, although you can understand the main points without knowing the language. The most interesting tariffs are also unlimited.
The pricing policy is very similar to Claro. At the same time, the amount of available limit in gigabytes is higher than that of Claro. Although there is no official information about it.
It is very convenient to connect a tariff for 10 or even 15 days. It is worth noting that the tariff for 5 days is the most profitable. On the other hand, you can issue a SIM card, simply top up the balance when purchasing and ask to activate the tariff for the entire vacation. And even for 15 days, the Internet will cost less than $10. And this will help to avoid additional actions related to replenishing the balance and continuing the Internet.
Altice tariffs:
| Tariff | Gigabyte included | Cost in Pesos | Estimated cost in dollars |
| Tariff 1 day | 1 GB | $49 | $0.95 |
| Tariff 3 days | 3 GB | $99 | $1.8 |
| Tariff 5 days | 5 GB | $139 | $2.65 |
| Tariff 10 days | 5 GB | $299 | $5.65 |
| Tariff 15 days | 5 GB | $499 | $9.40 |
To find out the phone number, you need to dial *221, then 3. The phone number will be spoken by the bot in Spanish. This is extremely inconvenient, so you can ask to write down your number when issuing this card. The same as asking to connect an Internet package at once for the entire vacation
Where are these cards sold in the Dominican Republic?
These cards can be purchased in communication salons or in official stores of mobile providers. To issue this card, you must have your passport with you.
Internet does not work on Claro, what to do?
If this is your first connection, try writing the APN: internet.ideasclaro.com.do
Otherwise, first check the balance of the Internet with the command *112*2*5#. You can also try restarting the device. If these measures did not help, it is necessary to contact the communication salon.
Where to buy this card in Punta Cana?
One of the places where you can buy seven Claro and Altice is the San Juan Mall.