Telephones in Dominican Republic

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Telephones

To call the D.R. from the United States, dial 1, then the area code 809 and the local number. From the D.R. you can also use the same procedure to call a U.S. or Canadian number (i.e., just dial 1 plus the area code and number). Some, but not all, U.S. toll-free numbers can be dialed from the D.R. by dialing 1-880. To make a local call, you must dial 809 plus the seven-digit number (dial 1-809 if you are calling a cell phone). Directory assistance is 1411. To the United Kingdom, dial 011, the country and city codes, and the number.

Rates for local calls vary in hotels; some charge only a few pesos a minute, others a set rate for local calls and a much higher rate for calls to the United States. However, phone cards, which are sold at gift shops and supermarkets, can give you considerable savings if you're calling the United States or Canada, for which a hotel might charge $1 to $2 a minute. Verizon Comminicards can be used in most hotels (but check to see if you will incur a connection or other fee). The bla bla bla card (no kidding) by Tricom will work only in special telecommunications offices and from private homes, but it gives you the biggest bang for the peso. Verizon calling centers have equally good rates to the States and Canada, about 35¢ a minute, but you will have to pay cash.

The latest watch-dog alert is that many hotels are charging a "connection fee" when you use your phone, even if you use a calling card. It ranges from $1.75 to a ludicrous $10, and usually is billed after two rings. Even when the rates are posted for local and long-distance calls, there is no mention of this charge. You have to ask the hotel if there is a connection fee.

Orange and Verizon are the two major cell phone companies. If you have a tri-band GSM phone, it will probably work on the island, but you can also get a local phone and SIM card. You cannot rent from Orange, but you can from Verizon; however, it's more economical to buy a phone for less than $50, and prepaid phone cards of various denominations for air time. These are sold at pharmacies, supermarkets, and colmados (convenience stores.) You can then call locally or long distance.