Mobile Phones & Internet in La Romana

There are an assortment of places in La Romana that offer WiFi if you plan to bring your WiFi enabled device (laptop, PDA, iPad, etc.). There is a cyber café located inside the terminal and at different resorts such as Dreams La Romana and Casa de Campo.

Most major mobile phone carriers will work in La Romana. However, mobile phone roaming charges accrued on smart phones can be expensive -- $2 or more per minute. Per message fees for sending text (SMS) messages are also high. Data charges for accessing e-mail and the Internet via your smart phone can get very expensive as well. To avoid any nasty post-cruise surprises, we recommend that you call your cell phone provider BEFORE your cruise to assure the most cost effective communication mode for you. If you plan on using your phone, make certain you have international roaming activated and that you are comfortable with this cost.

If you have an international phone with GSM network capabilities or a phone with a SIM card, your phone will work in La Romana. Upon arrival you will need to purchase a local SIM card and charge it with air time. You can usually find the pre-paid SIM cards at airports, the numerous cell phone shops, and other locations throughout La Romana. Another option is to purchase a SIM card before you leave for your travels. The advantage of this is that you are ready to go when you arrive and won't waste your time looking for a cell phone store. Plus, you will know your phone number even before you leave. Once you've purchased your new SIM card, simply remove your home SIM card and replace it with the new. You will receive a local phone number with your new SIM on which you can be contacted. This should be on the information you receive with the card.

Another option in is to purchase a Pay As You Go phone. You can buy a Pay As You Go phone at any cellphone outlet. You’ll easily find an outlet at the airports or any shopping mall.

Skype is a cost-effective way to make phone calls while on the road – often for free, or no more than pennies per minute. However, you will need to find an Internet café and connect to their WiFi Internet system to use Skype.  If you want to be computer-free, buying an international phone card would be a good way to go.

If you don't have a mobile phone and don't want to pay too much for calling internationally, pick up an international calling card - you can find these at the post office, some newsstands, visitor centers, convenience stores and some supermarkets. They come in many different denominations and each will have its own rate for different countries. You buy a card, then use an existing phone (usually a payphone) to call a special number listed on the card. You can then dial the number you wish to call and you will be charged at the cheap rate.