Viva is not working bad and they are cheap to enter the market, but their coverage is far behind.
Orange and Claro have 100% coverage in the PC area.
calls to the US/Puerto Rico/Canada cost the same than our local phone calls, all companies together range here for the prepaid cards on 5-7 pesos plus tax per minute, that's on the actual exchange rate 20 US$ cents per minute plus the 28% taxes = around 25.5 US$ cents max per minute. i calculated based on the higher 7 pesos per minute rate, so this is the max, if a minute finally costs 2 cents less i guess nobody will complain.
to the transfers:
Gregg wrote it above,
a private transfer with your own Van is around $40.- one way/$80.-two way.
your mentioned Quote of $20.- per person is the usual airport transfer per person quote on the cattle bus.
that transfer isn't bad, but for just around $20.- extra(in your case of a family of 3 just $3.33.- per person one way) you could get a very nice extra comfort and guaranteed no extra stop at any other resort prior to the Ocean Blue.
if you want the comfort of a private Transfer i double the above recommendation from Gregg to use IBK Tourist Services.
top reliable, best services in town on the same rates than their lil competitors, i use their services myself several times a week when my own Vans are occupied.
you can get a qote/info aso from Bronly on
ibkservicios@gmail.com
or by phone on
1-809-299-0582
with a request by e-mail always provide him with info details like full name, airline name, flight number, shedule arrival/departure time, hotelname and number of persons.
have fun and bring us some sun,
it's going dark here over Cabeza de Toro now,
a very rare daytime thunder, but no winds and hot.
Mike