Best eSIM for Dominican Republic 2026: Prices, Coverage & Full Comparison

eSIMs have become the easiest and fastest way to get data abroad. No need to visit a store, no passport registration, and no waiting in lines. But not all eSIM providers offer the same price, coverage, or data speeds.

In this guide, we compare the best eSIMs for the Dominican Republic based on:

• Price per GB

• Network quality

• Coverage across the island

• Speedtest & nPerf performance indicators

• Real traveler experience

• Transparency (no hidden FUP limits, no throttling)

After testing major providers like Airalo, Saily, Holafly, BNESIM, Flexiroam, Roamless, and Roafly, we found clear differences—especially in pricing.

Why eSIM Is the Best Way to Get Internet in the Dominican Republic

Here’s why millions of travelers now choose eSIM instead of physical SIM cards:

• Instant installation (scan a QR or install directly on iPhone)

• No passport check or eKYC in the DR

• Keep your home line active while using data on the eSIM

• Better prices compared to airport SIM cards

• Hotspot/tethering is allowed with most providers

• Coverage from major local networks like Claro

Local SIM cards (e.g., Claro or Altice) can be cheaper on long stays, but buying them often requires visiting a physical store. For short trips, eSIM is the most convenient option.

Dominican Republic eSIM Price Comparison (2025)

Here is the most up-to-date comparison of all major eSIM providers, using the exact prices from their official websites.

Note: The table uses USD pricing for consistency.

🌟 Key Takeaway

Roafly consistently offers the lowest prices across all data tiers, especially in the most popular 1 GB, 3 GB, and 5 GB plans.

Roafly’s 1 GB plan at $4.90 is lower than:

• Airalo ($6.00)

• Saily ($8.49)

• Roamless ($6.95)

• Flexiroam ($14)

• BNESIM (€5.79 ≈ $6.30)

And Roafly’s 20 GB and 50 GB packages have no real competitor at their price.

You can also read our Best eSIM for Mexico guide for a quick comparison of regional pricing across Central America.

Which Dominican Republic eSIM Is the Best?

Based on price, coverage, and overall experience, here’s the quick verdict:

🥇 Best Overall – Roafly

• Lowest cost per GB

• Hotspot supported

• No speed throttling

• No ID check required

• Connects to Claro, the fastest and widest network

🥈 Best for Light Use – Airalo

• Simple UI

• Good 1–5 GB options

• Slightly more expensive

🥉 Best for “Unlimited” (With Throttling) – Holafly

• Unlimited data but FUP applies

• Speed drastically slows after initial usage

• Price is significantly higher (up to $98.90 for 30 days)

❌ Most Expensive / Not Recommended – Flexiroam & Roamless

• Up to 2–3× the price of others

• No advantage in speed or coverage to justify cost

Network Coverage in the Dominican Republic

We analyzed public coverage maps, crowdsourced user reports, and nPerf/Speedtest data to create a performance summary of the country’s main mobile networks.

🇩🇴 Claro (Best Coverage & Speeds)

• Widest 4G footprint across cities and rural areas

• Best coverage in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, La Romana

• Fastest average download speeds (AI-estimated based on multiple datasets: 28–45 Mbps)

• Most eSIM providers—including Roafly—use Claro for a reason

Altice (Good Coverage in Cities, Weaker Outside)

• Good 4G in major areas

• Rural performance varies

• AI-estimated speeds: 18–27 Mbps

Viva (Limited)

• Smaller footprint

• Not ideal for travelers

Conclusion:
If your eSIM uses Claro, you will get the best island-wide performance, especially in tourist regions.

If you want to compare network quality in nearby destinations, our Best eSIM for Guatemala and Best eSIM for El Salvador guides offer similar coverage insights for Central America.

Speedtest & nPerf Performance Summary (AI-Aggregated)

Although exact numbers vary by location, we aggregated realistic, model-based estimates from:

• 2024–2025 public Speedtest Intelligence samples

• nPerf user-reported measurements

• Crowdsourced connectivity datasets

• Known infrastructure distribution of Dominican operators

Average Real-World Expected Speeds

Most eSIMs rely on local networks, so understanding the differences between Claro, Altice, and Viva helps explain why coverage varies.

What This Means for Travelers

• WhatsApp, Maps, Instagram, TikTok → Smooth

• Hotspot/tethering → Works normally

• Video calls → Stable on Claro

• Uploading Reels or Stories → Best on Claro

Since Roafly eSIMs connect to Claro, travelers will experience the highest general network reliability.

Now that you’ve seen how each provider compares on pricing, let’s take a closer look at which eSIM is best for different travel styles, how to install it, and what to expect in the Dominican Republic.

If you're planning a multi-country route, our Best eSIM for Nicaragua guide provides useful insights on roaming quality and local performance. 

Recommended Dominican Republic eSIM Plans

Right after evaluating the table, here is the complete list of available Dominican Republic plans from Roafly:

These plans are the most cost-effective on the market and cover the typical needs of short-term and long-term travelers, digital nomads, and cruise passengers arriving in Punta Cana, La Romana, or Santo Domingo.

Which Plan Should You Choose? (By Travel Type)

Choosing the right data amount depends on the way you travel. Here are optimized recommendations based on real usage patterns:

🌴 Short 3–5 Day Trip (Light Use)

• Recommended: 1 GB

• For simple navigation, WhatsApp, Uber, checking bookings

• Best Option: Roafly 1 GB ($4.90)

🏝️ 7-Day Beach Vacation (Moderate Use)

• Recommended: 3–5 GB

• For Instagram, TikTok, making reservations, hotel Wi-Fi backup

• Best Options:

  • Roafly 3 GB

  • Roafly 5 GB ($12.50)

🌍 10–15 Day Holiday (Active Use)

• Recommended: 10 GB

• For heavy social media, mapping, Google Photos backup

• Best Option: Roafly 10 GB ($24.90)

📸 Content Creators / Digital Nomads

• Recommended: 20–50 GB

• For uploading videos, hotspot usage, remote work

• Roafly 20 GB and 50 GB offer unbeatable pricing

🚢 Cruise Travelers

• Important note:
  eSIMs only work when you are close to the coast and connected to Dominican terrestrial networks.
  Satellite connectivity is not supported by any eSIM provider.

Not sure how much data you need? Use Roafly’s Data Usage Calculator to estimate your trip’s ideal plan.

How to Install an eSIM in the Dominican Republic

The installation process is identical to most international destinations. Roafly supports all three methods:

1. Direct Installation (iOS – 1 Tap Setup)

Fastest option for iPhones.

1. Open the Roafly App

2. Tap Install eSIM

3. Follow the automatic setup

4. eSIM appears under Settings → Cellular

Works on iPhone XS/XR and newer.

2. QR Code Installation (iOS & Android)

1. Open Roafly and scan the QR code

2. Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM

3. Scan the code

4. Activate mobile data and enable Data Roaming

This method works on all eSIM-compatible Android and iOS devices.

3. Manual Installation (Fallback Method)

If the QR doesn’t load or the camera fails:

1. Go to Add eSIM → Enter Details Manually

2. Input SM-DP+ Address

3. Enter Activation Code

4. Enable Roaming

When Will My eSIM Start? Does It Activate Immediately?

Your validity period starts when:

📶 “The eSIM connects to a supported network in the Dominican Republic.”

This means:

• You can install the eSIM at home

• It will NOT start counting until you land in the DR

• No data will be used while abroad unless you enable it

This is ideal for travelers who want to set up everything before their flight.

Hotspot / Tethering Support

Most travelers use their eSIM to share data to:

• MacBook

• Tablet

• Second phone

• Travel companion

Hotspot is fully supported on Roafly.

Holafly, on the other hand, does not allow hotspot on “Unlimited” plans due to FUP restrictions.

Fair Usage Policy (FUP) – What You Need to Know

Not all “Unlimited” plans are equal.

Holafly Unlimited:

• Speed may drop heavily after a few GB

• Hotspot not allowed

• Not recommended for content creators

Roafly, Airalo, Saily:

• No FUP

• Speeds remain normal throughout usage

• Pay for the exact amount of data you need

For the Dominican Republic, transparent GB-based plans provide the best user experience and predictable speeds.

Real Traveler Experience in the Dominican Republic (Practical Notes)

Travelers often report:

1. Hotel Wi-Fi Is Unreliable

Many resorts have inconsistent Wi-Fi, making an eSIM essential.

2. 4G Coverage Is Excellent in Tourist Regions

Especially with Claro (Roafly’s partner network):

• Punta Cana

• Bavaro

• Santo Domingo

• Puerto Plata

• La Romana

• Samaná

3. Social Media Works Smoothly

Uploading Stories from beaches or waterfalls?
Claro handles it well.

4. Uber Requires Mobile Internet

Taxi pick-up points at airports require reliable data—eSIM is much easier than relying on hotel Wi-Fi.

5. Maps & Navigation

Google Maps and Apple Maps work flawlessly in major cities.

When Does Airalo Make Sense?

Airalo is a solid option if:

• You only need 1–3 GB

• You want a very simple UI

• You prefer an app you’ve used before

But:

• Price per GB is higher

• No large data plans like 20 GB or 50 GB

• Speeds depend on network choice (Roafly → Claro tends to be better)

When Does Saily Make Sense?

Saily tends to be competitive globally, but in the Dominican Republic:

• 1 GB at $8.49 is significantly higher than Roafly’s $4.90

• 3 GB at $20.99 is close to Airalo pricing

• No 10 GB, 20 GB, or higher-tier plans

Good for users already in the NordVPN ecosystem—but not the best price.

When Does Holafly Make Sense?

Holafly can be useful when:

• You want simple “Unlimited” data

• You don’t care about speed throttling

• You don’t plan to use hotspot

• You are willing to pay a premium

However:

• Plans start at $39.90 (7 days)

• FUP reduces speed after moderate usage

• Not suitable for video or high-usage travelers

Is BNESIM Worth It?

BNESIM is often overlooked but:

• Plans are priced in EUR

• 10 GB = €52.12 (≈ $55.30)

• 20 GB = €101.96 (≈ $108.10)

This places it among the most expensive providers in this destination.

Is Flexiroam Worth It?

Even after a “20% OFF” promo:

• 1 GB = $14

• 3 GB = $40

• 5 GB = $63

Flexiroam is simply too expensive for Dominican Republic usage unless you specifically prefer their app ecosystem.

Is Roamless Worth It?

Roamless offers generous coverage in many countries, but for the Dominican Republic:

• 1 GB = $6.95

• 5 GB = $44.95

• 10 GB = $52.95

Prices are far above market average.
If you only need 1–2 GB, Airalo or Roafly are better choices.
For large plans, Roafly dominates.

Final Verdict: Which eSIM Is Best for the Dominican Republic?

After comparing all major providers, the clear winner is:

🥇 Roafly — Best Price, Best Coverage, No Throttling

Roafly stands out because:

• Lowest price-per-GB across all tiers

• Connects to Claro, the best network in the DR

• Hotspot supported

• Transparent, no FUP

• No eKYC required

• Large plans up to 50 GB

• Simple installation (Direct, QR, Manual)

If you want the safest, easiest, and most cost-effective option for your trip, Roafly is the best choice.