How to Call the Dominican Republic from the US?

Whether calling friends and family in the Dominican Republic or connecting with business partners and clients, international calls keep you close even when miles apart. But sometimes, calling someone outside the country can be confusing as it requires specific dialing codes and formats.
However, if you are in the US and want to call the Dominican Republic, it isn’t as complicated as you may think. As both countries are part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), calling Dominicans from the US is just like making any other domestic call within the US.
Key Highlights
Similar to the US, the Dominican Republic operates under the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). Both landline and mobile phone numbers follow the same format, consisting of a three-digit area code and a seven-digit subscriber number.
Because the Dominican Republic is part of the NANP, you do not need to dial the 011 US exit code or the “+” sign when calling it from the US.
To call the Dominican Republic from the US, dial the Dominican Republic country code (1), followed by the ten-digit local number.
Calling the Dominican Republic from the US costs $1.99 to $3.00 per minute with traditional carriers, while VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services charge $0.019 to $0.09 per minute. International calling cards offer rates between $0.029 and $0.15 per minute, and social media apps allow free calls.
For business calls to the Dominican Republic, the best time is mid-morning (US time). For personal calls, early evening (US time) works best.
Things to Know Before Calling the Dominican Republic from the US
Calling the Dominican Republic from the US is straightforward because both countries follow the North American Numbering Plan. The Dominican Republic uses the same country code 1 as the US, so calls are treated as long-distance domestic calls rather than traditional international calls.
To place a call, dial 1 followed by the 10-digit phone number. There is no need to dial an international exit code or the “+” sign.
Each number consists of a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit subscriber number. The Dominican Republic uses three area codes, 809, 829, and 849, which apply to both mobile and landline phones.
How to Call the Dominican Republic from the US?
To place a call to the Dominican Republic from the US, dial the Dominican Republic country code, followed by the area code and the seven-digit subscriber number.
- Step 1: Enter 1, the Dominican Republic country code.
- Step 2: Dial the 3-digit area code of the recipient's location.
- Step 3: Enter the receiver’s 7-digit local number.
For Example:
- If you want to call a cell phone number in Punta Cana (829 XXX XXXX) from the US,
dial: 1 829 XXX XXXX.
In this dialing format, 1 is the Dominican Republic country code, 829 is the area code for Punta Cana, and the remaining digits are the subscriber's number. - To call a landline in Santo Domingo (809 XXX XXXX) from the US,
dial: 1 809 XXX XXXX.
Here, 1 is the Dominican Republic country code, 809 is the Santo Domingo area code, and the remaining seven digits are the subscriber's number.
How to Call a Dominican Republic Toll-Free Number from the US?
To contact a Dominican Republic toll-free number from the US, dial the country code (1), followed by the toll-free number.
- Step 1: Dial the Dominican Republic country code, 1.
- Step 2: Dial the ten-digit toll-free number.
For example: If the Dominican toll-free number is 800 XXX XXXX, from the US you need to dial: 1 800 XXX XXXX.
Here, 1 represents the Dominican Republic country code, 800 is the toll-free prefix, and the remaining digits form the subscriber toll-free number.
Note: Dominican Republic toll-free numbers may not always be reachable when calling from the US. If the call does go through, international calling charges may apply based on your service provider.
What is the Best Time to Call the Dominican Republic from the US?
For business calls, the best time to reach someone in the Dominican Republic is during mid-morning in the US, when both parties are likely within regular working hours. For personal conversations, early evening US time tends to be the most convenient.
The Dominican Republic has only one time zone (AST, UTC−4), while the US spans six major time zones. This means the time difference varies from 1 to 6 hours, depending on which US location you are calling from.
The table below shows the best US local times to call the Dominican Republic during its business hours:
US Time Zone | Time Difference (The US is behind the Dominican Republic by) | Best Time to Call (US Local) |
| Eastern (ET) | 1 hour | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Central (CT) | 2 hours | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Mountain (MT) | 3 hours | 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Pacific (PT) | 4 hours | 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Alaska (AKST) | 5 hours | 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Hawaii-Aleutian (HAST) | 6 hours | 3:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
Note: The above data is for standard time. However, it differs during daylight saving time.
How Much Does It Cost to Call the Dominican Republic from the US?
Calling the DR from the US costs $1.99 to $3.00 per minute using traditional carriers, and $0.01 to $0.09 per minute via VoIP services. Using a calling card to place the call costs $0.03 to $0.15 per minute, while social media apps allow free calls over the internet.
1. Traditional Calling
Phone calls made through traditional carriers are usually the most expensive option. Rates vary by provider and plan, usually ranging from $1.99 to $3.00 per minute. For frequent international callers, subscribing to an international calling plan can help reduce call charges.
Carrier Provider | Calling Costs (per minute) |
| Verizon | $1.99 |
| AT&T | $3.00 |
| T-Mobile | $3.00 |
2. VoIP Service
VoIP services offer virtual phone numbers that work over the internet, allowing you to call the Dominican Republic at much more affordable rates than traditional carriers. Calling rates usually range from $0.019 to $0.09 per minute, depending on the provider and plan.
3. Calling Card
International calling cards are prepaid options that allow lower per-minute rates for calls to the Dominican Republic, usually $0.029–$0.15 per minute. They are convenient for occasional calls, but it’s important to check for any hidden fees or connection charges.
4. Social Media Apps
Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Viber allow free voice or video calls over the internet. They require both parties to have the same app installed and use Wi-Fi or mobile data, making them the most cost-effective option for personal calls.
Conclusion
Calling the Dominican Republic from the US is simple because both countries follow the NANP. By dialing the country code 1, followed by the local number, you can easily connect with landline, mobile, or toll-free numbers.
In addition to the dialing format, it’s important to consider call timing to ensure availability and choose a cost-effective calling option to reduce expenses.
Summarize this blog with:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you call people in the Dominican Republic?
When calling the Dominican Republic (DR), first enter your country’s exit code, then the DR country code (1), followed by the 10-digit local number. If you’re calling from a North American country, you can skip the exit code and dial 1 + 10-digit phone number directly.
Which area code is +1 809?
Why do some calls to the Dominican Republic fail even when the number is correct?

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