Quick question on cell phone coverage and vaccinations

[Coochie93]

For cell coverage where can I buy a Sim card from (Claro?) if that's correct? If not then I will just go Verizon and tell them to activate the E-Sim portion for international travel.

Also I wondered this, I have been the Sosua last year, but whenever traveling outside of the U.S. does anyone go to the doctor and get vaccinated for any diseases recommended by the FDA for international travel?

[Travelguy90]

Playero sell SIM cards. The one near the beach off the main road. Vaccines and health documents aren’t required

[tugboaboat5393]

Biden Era and Fauci mandated vaxcines, f--k no not manadtory nor checked !

[XanthonyX]

Any major supermarket cells them. They may ask for your passport so have it on you

[Coochie93]

Playero sell SIM cards. The one near the beach off the main road. Vaccines and health documents aren’t required

so I got the latest iphone and they switched from physical sims to digital sims, is the process still the same?

[Just_A_Guy]

For cell coverage where can I buy a Sim card from (Claro?) if that's correct? If not then I will just go Verizon and tell them to activate the E-Sim portion for international travel.

Also I wondered this, I have been the Sosua last year, but whenever traveling outside of the U.S. does anyone go to the doctor and get vaccinated for any diseases recommended by the FDA for international travel?

There's a Claro store that sits directly in front of Bailey's restaurant.  Just walk in and tell them you want a SIM.

[stinqu]

Bring your Passport.

[XanthonyX]

I have T-Mobile and when I'm in Puerto Plata, all my calls and texts are local.

[Iamdreamman35]

Just to add to this topic. If I go to Claro or Playero for a sim card should I also buy a cheap burner phone as well to put the Sim card into or use my real phone? I got metro by t-mobile for phone service with an A13 Samsung phone (budget phone).

[Just_A_Guy]

Just to add to this topic. If I go to Claro or Playero for a sim card should I also buy a cheap burner phone as well to put the Sim card into or use my real phone? I got metro by t-mobile for phone service with an A13 Samsung phone (budget phone).

What I did was buy a small portable [universal] wifi device.  And I put the SIM in it instead of my phone...and just use it as a portable Hotspot.

I used to put the SIM in my real phone, but I found that using the portable wifi was a lot more convenient.

But either/or is fine.

[Iamdreamman35]

What I did was buy a small portable [universal] wifi device.  And I put the SIM in it instead of my phone...and just use it as a portable Hotspot.

I used to put the SIM in my real phone, but I found that using the portable wifi was a lot more convenient.

But either/or is fine.

Understood. Thanks Just.

[Coochie93]

Just to add to this topic. If I go to Claro or Playero for a sim card should I also buy a cheap burner phone as well to put the Sim card into or use my real phone? I got metro by t-mobile for phone service with an A13 Samsung phone (budget phone).

What I did was buy a small portable [universal] wifi device.  And I put the SIM in it instead of my phone...and just use it as a portable Hotspot.

I used to put the SIM in my real phone, but I found that using the portable wifi was a lot more convenient.

But either/or is fine.

link one you recommend

[murano2010]

Coochie your travel needs depends a lot on you.   Are you the type of person that will be going to the DR and/or other destinations frequently?   If so, why not invest in using a separate phone ( or separate phones ) that will handle your international travel?    It doesnt have to be a burner phone.   It can be a fully functional smart phone.   

For example.   My USA phone ( Pixel 7 Pro 5G ) has a T Mobile eSIM and a Thai eSIM.  When I am not traveling in the US or Thailand, that phone is shut down, and put in a safe place.  I dont share that number ( or Whatsapp ) with locals in the other countries that I travel to. 

I have separate phones for other destinations.  A Note 10 plus that holds 2 sims ( DR# with Claro ( no chicas ) and a Philippine# with Smart ),  an S 10 plus that is my exclusive DR chica phone, which has an Altice sim.   A Note 9 phone that has 2 sims Tanzania and Kenya.   

So you see, I can play it safe by having several phones to handle all of my communication needs.  The benefit of having separate phones is obvious.  It keeps people and contacts separate.  It helps keep phones safe from being lost or stolen.  Because I only take the phone I need for the destination Im at.    Local sims allows you to use some of that destinations services.  Like G Cash or Paymaya for the Philippines, and M-Pesa with my local Kenyan#.   

When I travel I take all 4 phones, in case I need to update the apps or software, and also to communicate with people individually.   My situation is unique.  I live abroad full time, and I travel a lot.  Having multiple phones and numbers works for me.   If you have no problem with chicas having your USA number and Whatsapp thats entirely up to you.   

I believe it's better having a separate number and phone when traveling abroad.   One separate smart phone may be enough to handle your needs.   I personally think it's best buying a local sim Altice or Claro, and buying a phone package consisting of data, free apps, and the ability to call other local numbers.   I think that is the better option over using a mobile hotspot. 

Why so?   Because the phone itself can be used as a temporary mobile hotspot.   In most cases, you will be connected to somebodies wifi.    You cant call numbers with a mobile hotspot, and I dont think free app usage applies using a hotspot gadget.

I have a postpaid plan with Altice.  I get data, free calls, 5 free apps to use.   Im pretty sure they have prepaid plans for short term use. 

[WT3]

Damn @murano2010 I only got two phones my US phone with T-mobile I take it and use it everywhere data works internationally. I also live in Thailand and have a Thai phone with a Thai sim so I don't have to take my US phone out of the house. I do travel a bit so maybe another phone would be useful but I don't wanna bother getting a sim card every time I go to another country so just use the US phone for things like grab in Asia Uber in the western places to get around. One thing different from you is that both those phone have the same contacts just incase I lose one.

[tugboaboat5393]

All good points Sirs, if im in the DR i just use my T mobil thats has international data,  also if i need internet tap into your hotel or bar,or use your hot spot to get a tablet up and running,, if im there a month or more i have a local cheap fone and grab a local sim card claro  Altice  think it was 7500 pesos cheap phone sim card and data local phone shop past sosua suites on DR Rosen !