Are you planning to visit the Dominican Republic?. Let’s dive in and find out why Viva is the best choice for travelers in this article.

Viva SIM Card

I. Quick Facts about Viva

First of all, let’s check some quick facts about this brand:

  • Founded: 2006
  • Full name: Viva Telecomunicaciones, S.A.
  • Services provided: Mobile phone services including voice calls, text messages, data/internet services, digital content
  • Number of subscribers: Over 3 million subscribers (as of 2021)
  • Coverage: Covers over 95% of the Dominican Republic Republic’s population
  • Stores, agents: Over 600 Viva owned stores and franchises, plus thousands of authorized dealers and resellers across the country
  • Customer support: Viva offers 24/7 call support in Spanish and English.
Viva SIM Card
Viva

II. Dominican Republic Viva Coverage and Speed

Viva Coverage in Dominican Republic

Viva - Coverage map
Viva – Coverage map. Source: nperf.com

Viva has good coverage across major population centers and urban municipalities. It covers over 95% of populated areas nationwide. In Santo Domingo, Santiago and other large cities, Viva provides reliable 4G/LTE coverage throughout most districts and neighborhoods. Popular tourist destinations like Punta Cana, Bavaro, Puerto Plata have strong 4G signals from Viva.

While not as widespread as Claro, Viva offers reliable connectivity for the vast majority of Dominican residents and visitors concentrated in urban and touristic coastal areas across the country.

Viva Speed

Viva has an average download speed of 11-13 Mbps and an average upload speed of 4-6 Mbps. This puts Viva in the top three networks in the country, along with Claro and Altice.

With such fast speeds, you can easily stream videos, make video calls, and browse the internet without any interruptions. This makes Viva a great choice for tourists who need reliable and fast internet during their trip.

III. Viva Connectivity Options for Travelers to Dominican Republic

As a tourist, you have three options for connectivity with Viva. Let’s take a closer look at each option.

  • Viva SIM card: Travelers can purchase a prepaid Viva SIM card upon arrival at the airport or any Viva store. This provides the cheapest rates to call/use data on Viva’s network directly.
  • Pocket Wifi: Rental pocket Wifi devices can be used to connect up to 5 devices to Viva’s 4G network simultaneously. More expensive than a SIM but avoids roaming fees.
  • Roaming: Travellers can use their standard roaming plan from foreign provider. However, roaming fees are very high for calls/data compared to local plan.

Viva Connectivity Options for Travelers to Dominican Republic

Option Pros Cons
Buy Viva SIM Cheapest calls/data; flexible usage; can swap SIMs Upfront SIM cost
Pocket wifi rental Covers multiple devices; no SIM locking Higher daily/weekly cost than SIM
Roaming with foreign SIM No upfront local SIM cost Extremely high roaming rates; capped data

Therefore, purchasing a prepaid Viva SIM is the most cost effective and convenient option for travelers to stay connected in Dominican Republic.

IV. Best Viva SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Viva offers different types of SIM cards for tourists, depending on their needs and budget. Here are the top three options:

Package Data Price
1 day 1 GB $0.77
2 GB $1.21
3 days 3 GB $1.46
5 GB $1.70
7 days 6 GB $2.50
10 GB $3.43
14 days 12 GB $5.00
30 days 30 GB $13.19

All SIM cards are convenient one-time purchase options to stay connected via Viva’s nationwide 4G network in Dominican Republic.

V. Does Viva Support eSIM?

Yes, Viva began offering eSIM activation capabilities in early 2022.

Plans available via eSIM are Viva’s standard postpaid and prepaid mobile data/voice packages. Benefits of eSIM with Viva include remote activation/switching between plans and devices without a physical SIM swap.

eSIM adoption allows Viva to provide a more seamless digital experience for activating service.

VI. Where Can You Buy a Viva SIM Card and eSIM?

Where to Buy Viva SIM Card

  • Viva Stores – Viva has their own standalone stores located in major cities and towns across the country. This is usually the most reliable option.
Buy Viva SIM Card at Store
Buy Viva SIM Card at Store
  • Airports – Both Puerto Plata and Punta Cana international airports have Viva kiosks where you can purchase SIM cards upon arrival.
  • Online – Viva’s website allows you to order SIM cards to certain addresses in the DR. Some delivery within 2 days.

Most pharmacies and retail stores have reliable inventory as well but it’s best to buy from an official Viva location to avoid fakes

Where to Buy Viva eSIM

  • Online: Visit Viva’s website (viva.com.do) and request an eSIM activation through the web portal. Profiles will be delivered digitally.
  • Viva Stores: Browse any of Viva’s company-owned stores located nationwide. Representatives can assist with in-store eSIM activation.

Once purchased, the eSIM profile will be provided via email or SMS for electronic installation on compatible devices.

VII. How to Activate Viva SIM Card/eSIM

7.1 Activating Physical Viva SIM Card

Follow these simple steps:

  1. Insert the SIM card into your unlocked device. 
  2. Power on your device and wait for it to detect the new SIM card.
  3. Viva SIM cards are pre-activated. However, if you face any issues, contact Viva customer care for assistance.
  4. If required, check the APN settings on your device and add the Viva internet APN settings.
  5. You can now make calls, send SMS and use mobile internet on Viva’s nationwide network.

7.2 Activating Viva eSIM

Here are the steps to activate a Viva eSIM:

  1. Install the eSIM 
  2. Activate the eSIM 
  3. Set up the eSIM 
  4. Start Using 

That’s it – with easy pre-activated SIMs and quick eSIM setup, getting connected on Viva’s network is simple and straightforward for travelers and users in the Dominican Republic.

VIII. Dominican Republic Viva Call & SMS Rates

Viva offers competitive rates for calls and texts within Dominican Republic, as well as international calls. Here are some examples of the rates for prepaid plans:

Dominican Republic Viva Call & SMS Rates

Call/SMS Type Rate
Calls to Viva numbers $0.05/minute
Calls to other D.R networks $0.16/minute
Calls to USA/Canada numbers $0.70/minute
Calls to Europe $1/minute
Calls to other international numbers Vary by country
SMS to any D.R number $0.10/SMS
SMS to USA/Canada numbers $0.25/SMS
SMS to Europe $0.30/SMS
SMS to other international numbers Vary by country

Some key tips:

  • Prepaid bundles offer cheaper rates than pay-as-you-go
  • Use Viva SIM instead of roaming for lowest call rates
  • Data packages deliver better value than paying per MB
  • Check included minutes/SMS with chosen calling plan

IX. Useful USSD Codes for Viva SIM Card/eSIM

USSD codes are short codes that can be dialed on your phone to access certain services or information. Here are some useful USSD codes for Viva SIM cards and eSIMs:

Useful USSD Codes for Viva SIM Card/eSIM

USSD Code Description
#131# Check Account Balance
*100# View Account Summary
*123# Check 4G/3G Data Usage
*144# Activate/Deactivate Call Forwarding
*121# Change Voice/Data Package
*177# Activate eSIM Profile
131PIN# Change Viva PIN
1331*NewPIN# Change Barring PIN
1009# Manually Select Network

X. How to Top-up Viva SIM Card/eSIM

There are several ways to top up your Viva SIM card or eSIM:

  • Online via the Viva DR website (vivadr.com). Select “Recarga” to top-up and pay with a credit/debit card.
  • Viva App. Download the Viva Movil app on your phone and top-up directly within the app by selecting “Recarga”.
  • USSD Codes. Dial *222# and follow prompts to top-up with minutes via your Viva balance.

XI. Alternatives to Dominican Republic Viva

  • Claro – The largest carrier by subscriber base. Has near nationwide 4G coverage. Offers similar prepaid/postpaid plans.
  • Altice Dominicana – Owns the former Cable Color brand. Focuses on fiber home internet but also has a growing cellular business.

Besides, eSIM is an excellent alternative to bringing a physical SIM card. Dominican Republic eSIM provide a simple, hassle-free way to stay connected in the Dominican Republic without roaming charges. By purchasing a data package from Dominican eSIM before your trip, you’ll receive the eSIM profile via email immediately.

Dominican eSIM plans
Dominican eSIM plans

XII. FAQs

Is it better to buy a SIM card or eSIM?

It depends on your personal preference and device compatibility. If your device supports eSIMs, then it might be a more convenient option as you don’t have to worry about losing or damaging a physical SIM card.

Can I use my Viva SIM card in other countries?

No, Viva SIM cards can only be used within Dominican Republic.

Do I need to register my SIM card?

Yes, all SIM cards in Dominican Republic need to be registered with the government. This can be done at the time of purchase or by visiting a Viva store.

Can I keep my Viva number after leaving Dominican Republic?

Yes, you can keep your Viva number for up to 6 months after leaving Dominican Republic. After that, the number will be deactivated.

Is there a customer service number for Viva?

Yes, you can contact Viva’s customer service by dialing *611 from your Viva number or +1 809-220-1111 from any other phone.

XIII. Final Words

While Viva offers reliable and affordable connectivity options for tourists in the Dominican Republic, purchasing a Dominican Republic eSIM provides an even more convenient way for a hassle-free trip.