For the last few trips, we've asked our driver from the airport to swing by a Digicel store on the way to our hotel. We purchase a sim card with a plan that allows for local calls/texts and calls/texts to the USA (our home). The Digicel rep usually installs the card and makes sure all is operational. It's been very convenient for us to have a local phone. Yes, your phone does need to be unlocked in order to accept a new card. The company where you purchased the phone should be able to tell you if it is unlocked. Most companies require that you own your phone outright before they will unlock it. In other words, if you are paying for your phone in monthly installments on your bill, they won't unlock it until you've paid off the phone.

Maybe this link will help too.

https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Out-if-...ne-Is-Unlocked