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How to Call Costa Rica from the United States

Country code +506 — Dial 011 506 83XX XXXX from a US landline or +506 83XX XXXX from a mobile phone.

+506
Costa Rica Country Code

What to Dial

  1. 1Dial 011 from a US landline, or + from a mobile (hold the 0 key).
  2. 2Dial 506, the country code of Costa Rica.
  3. 3Dial the number: 8 digits, exactly as written: Costa Rica has no leading 0 to drop.
Calling a… Written in Costa Rica From a US landline From a cell phone
Mobile 83XX XXXX 011 506 83XX XXXX +506 83XX XXXX
Landline 2212 XXXX 011 506 2212 XXXX +506 2212 XXXX

X stands for any digit. Mobile numbers start with 30, 50, 57, 60–65, 70–73 or 83–89. More number types: Costa Rica phone number format.

Mobile or Landline?

Costa Rica had 136 mobile subscriptions and 11.9 landlines per 100 people in 2024. Most people you call will be on a mobile, so ask for their mobile number and check what your plan charges for calls to Costa Rica mobiles.

Source: World Bank (ITU).

Calling Tips for Costa Rica

Best Time to Call

To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM in San Jose, call between 11:00 AM–10:00 PM EDT (8:00 AM–7:00 PM PDT). Costa Rica doesn’t change its clocks, so the gap moves by an hour when the US does.

Costa Rica is on UTC−6, 2 hours behind US Eastern Time right now.

Cost Saving Tips

  • VoIP services such as Google Voice or Vonage usually charge less per minute than a carrier's standard international rate.
  • WiFi calling apps (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime) are free when both parties have the app.
  • Check your carrier's international plan — many offer add-on packages.

Time Difference

US Eastern (EDT)
--:--
UTC-4
-2h
Costa Rica
--:--
UTC-6

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I call Costa Rica from the US?
From a US landline, dial 011, then 506, then the number: 011 506 83XX XXXX for a mobile. From a cell phone, dial +506 83XX XXXX.
Do I need to drop a 0 when calling Costa Rica?
No. Costa Rica has no trunk prefix: dial every digit after +506 exactly as written, for example +506 83XX XXXX.
How many digits is a phone number in Costa Rica?
8 digits after the country code +506. Mobile numbers start with 30, 50, 57, 60–65, 70–73 or 83–89.
What time should I call Costa Rica from the US?
Costa Rica is 2 hours behind New York (UTC−6 in San Jose). To reach someone between 9 AM and 8 PM there, call between 11:00 AM–10:00 PM EDT, or 8:00 AM–7:00 PM PDT on the West Coast. Costa Rica doesn't change its clocks, so the difference shifts by an hour when the US switches to or from daylight saving time.
How do people in Costa Rica call the US?
They dial the exit code 00, then 1 and the 10-digit US number: 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX, or +1 from a mobile.
How much does it cost to call Costa Rica?
It depends on your plan: many US plans charge per minute for international calls, and calls to Costa Rica mobiles often cost more than calls to landlines. Internet calling apps are free when both people have the same app.
Costa Rica Quick Info
Country Code +506
ISO Code CR
Capital San Jose
Time Zone UTC-6
Exit Code (US) 011
Full Country Profile
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