How to Use a Cell Phone in the Dominican Republic

Visitors to the Dominican Republic will find that the country offers some of the most advanced cell phone coverage in the Caribbean. In fact, the nation has more cell phone users per capita than any other Latin American country.

Most U.S.-based cell phone networks extend coverage to the Dominican Republic, but users should check with their provider about roaming charges. Typically, travelers will need an unlocked phone to make calls with an American SIM card. The Dominican Republic uses the same call system as the U.S., with 10-digit numbers and 809 as the country code.

Since Dominicans typically use pre-paid cell phones, visitors will find plenty of opportunity to pick up a local SIM and top-up card, known locally as a "tarjeta." Local calls are cheap and cards easy to find in stores, booths or even sold on the street. Look for the main Dominican cell phone carriers with nationwide coverage, including Claro, Orange, Tricom and Viva.