Last updated on 5 November 2026
In the Dominican Republic, Claro and Altice sell prepaid lines only against an identity document; as a tourist you register with your passport, and Claro handles passport customers in its stores. Data packages are sold in their apps, and without a package Claro charges RD$1.75 per MB, about €26.66 per gigabyte. The POVNOMAD Dominican Republic eSIM starts at €5.90 for 1 GB over 7 days, costs €14.90 for 5 GB over 30 days and runs on Claro in roaming, with no store visit. As of 31 October 2026.
We could not verify the price of a Claro or Altice data package: both show them only in their apps or customer portals, not on a public page. So we cannot tell you whether the local SIM is cheaper. What we can say: up to 10 GB our eSIM costs less than Airalo’s; at 20 GB Airalo is cheaper, €45.00 against €49.90.
Local SIM, travel eSIM or roaming: what is the difference in the Dominican Republic?
| Local SIM (Claro or Altice prepaid) | Travel eSIM (POVNOMAD) | Roaming on your home contract | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | packages not published on a public page; without a package Claro charges RD$1.75 per MB | €5.90 for 1 GB/7 days, €14.90 for 5 GB/30 days, €26.90 for 10 GB/30 days | the Dominican Republic is outside EU roaming, your provider sets its own rates |
| What you need | passport; the line is registered to your name | eSIM-capable, unlocked phone | roaming enabled on your contract |
| Dominican number | yes | no, data only; WhatsApp and similar apps run over data | your home number |
| Network | Claro or Altice | Claro 4G/5G, assignment variable (product page) | partner network of your provider |
| When the data runs out | pay per MB or buy the next package | the plan ends; you top up or buy a new plan | depends on your contract |
| Hotspot | not checked | yes | depends on your contract |
As of 31 October 2026. Claro rate from claro.com.do (Navegación Libre Prepago), registration rules from INDOTEL resolutions, POVNOMAD prices from the Dominican Republic product page. Converted at the Banco Central de la República Dominicana rate of 30 October 2026 (€1 = RD$67.2127).
How much does a SIM card cost in the Dominican Republic?
The operators publish only part of their prepaid prices. Claro lists its rate for data without a package on its website, and Altice lists how long a recharge stays valid. Both sell data packages through their apps and customer portals; those prices we could not read.
| Published prepaid price | Value | in euros |
|---|---|---|
| Claro, data without a package (Navegación Libre) | RD$1.75 per MB, taxes included | about €26.66 per GB |
| Altice, recharge of RD$30 to RD$50 | valid 3 days | €0.45 to €0.74 |
| Altice, recharge of RD$101 to RD$150 | valid 18 days | €1.50 to €2.23 |
| Altice, recharge of RD$251 or more | valid 30 days | from €3.73 |
Sources: claro.com.do, Navegación Libre Prepago; altice.com.do, Prepago. Both retrieved 31 October 2026. Euro amounts at €1 = RD$67.2127 (Banco Central, 30 October 2026); 1 GB counted as 1,024 MB.
Compare that with travel eSIMs bought before departure, as of 31 October 2026:
| Plan | POVNOMAD | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 GB, 7 days | €1.90 | – |
| 1 GB | €5.90 (7 days) | €6.00 (3 days) |
| 5 GB, 30 days | €14.90 | €24.00 |
| 10 GB, 30 days | €26.90 | €34.00 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | €49.90 | €45.00 |
| Unlimited, 7 days | – | €34.00 |
Read on 31 October 2026 on povnomad.com and airalo.com/de/dominican-republic-esim (EUR view). “–” = no such plan on that day. POVNOMAD sells no unlimited plan for the Dominican Republic.
Do you need a passport for a Dominican SIM card?
Yes. Article 11.2 of the General Telephone Service Regulation (INDOTEL resolution 110-12) obliges operators to request, record and verify the details of anyone who signs up. Resolution 039-13 specifies how: with an identity document, recording name, surname, nationality and the document number. In 2025, under resolution 064-2025, the operators had to validate every existing prepaid line; according to Diario Libre, Claro customers who hold only a passport did this in person in a Claro store.
- Bring your original passport to the Claro or Altice store.
- Check that your phone has no network lock.
- If your phone takes only one physical SIM, the local card replaces your German SIM, and bank codes by text stop reaching you. An eSIM runs next to your home SIM.
Sources: INDOTEL, resolution 039-13, which quotes article 11.2 of resolution 110-12; Diario Libre, 23 September 2025, on resolution 064-2025. Read on 31 October 2026.
Do you need mobile data at a resort?
If your resort has Wi-Fi, you need mobile data mainly for the transfer, excursions and messages on the beach. For a week like that, 1 GB for €5.90 can be enough if you mostly send messages and use maps, and the 0.1 GB plan for €1.90 covers the arrival day. If you drive across the island, from Santo Domingo to Samaná for example, take 5 GB for €14.90. Our Dominican Republic eSIM provider comparison explains when an unlimited plan from another provider makes more sense.
You install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi (instructions for iPhone and Android); validity starts on first contact with the Dominican network.
When is the eSIM the better choice, and when is it not?
The eSIM is ready when you land and needs no store visit with your passport. Our plans have no throttling: when the data is used up, the plan ends.
Another option is the better choice in these cases:
- You need 20 GB or more: Airalo charges €45.00 for 20 GB over 30 days, we charge €49.90.
- You want unlimited data: we have no unlimited plan for the Dominican Republic, Airalo sells 7 days for €34.00.
- You need a Dominican number or stay for months: then the Claro or Altice SIM is the right tool, even though we could not check their package prices.
This guide is also available in German.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a SIM card cost in the Dominican Republic?
Claro and Altice sell data packages only through their apps and portals, so we could not check those prices. Without a package Claro charges RD$1.75 per MB, about €26.66 per gigabyte. As of 31 October 2026.
Do I need a passport to buy a SIM card in the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Under INDOTEL resolutions 110-12 and 039-13, operators record and verify every customer with an identity document; for tourists that is the passport. As of 31 October 2026.
Which network does the POVNOMAD Dominican Republic eSIM use?
Claro 4G/5G according to the product page; the network assignment can vary. Hotspot is included. As of 31 October 2026.
Is there an unlimited eSIM from POVNOMAD for the Dominican Republic?
No. We sell six fixed plans from 0.1 GB (€1.90) to 20 GB (€49.90). Airalo offers unlimited data, 7 days for €34.00. As of 31 October 2026.
How much data do I need for a week at a resort?
With resort Wi-Fi, 1 GB for €5.90 can be enough for maps and messages during a week. If you drive across the island or share a hotspot, take 5 GB for €14.90. As of 31 October 2026.
Do I get a Dominican phone number with the eSIM?
No. The POVNOMAD eSIM carries data only, without SMS or calls over the mobile network. WhatsApp and other apps work over data. As of 31 October 2026.
How do I know if these prices are still current?
We read every price on 31 October 2026 on claro.com.do, altice.com.do, povnomad.com and airalo.com. Claro and Altice charge in Dominican pesos, so the euro amount changes with the exchange rate. Check the operator’s page before you buy.
Last updated on 31 October 2026. Prices read on that day on claro.com.do, altice.com.do, povnomad.com and airalo.com; Banco Central exchange rate of 30 October 2026. Prices and rules may change at any time.