Booking a hotel, confirming a tour or checking in with someone in Costa Rica? The dialing format is simple once you know it, and many calls cost nothing if you use the right app.
To call Costa Rica from the US, dial 011 (the US exit code), then 506 (Costa Rica’s country code), then the eight-digit local number. For example, 011 506 2222 1234. From a cell phone, you can replace 011 with a plus sign: +506 2222 1234. Costa Rica has no area codes, and landlines and cell numbers both have eight digits. Many Costa Rican hotels and tour operators also answer on WhatsApp, which is free over Wi-Fi or data.
This guide covers calling from a landline or cell phone, how to recognize Costa Rican numbers, cheaper app options, the time difference, and calling the US from Costa Rica.
| Calling Costa Rica | At a glance |
|---|---|
| From a US landline | 011 + 506 + 8-digit number |
| From a cell phone | +506 + 8-digit number |
| Country code | 506 |
| Area codes | None; every number is 8 digits |
| Calling the US from Costa Rica | 00 + 1 + area code + number |
| Emergency number in Costa Rica | 911 |
| Cheapest option | WhatsApp or another internet calling app |
Step by step
How to Call Costa Rica From the US
From a landline
- Dial 011, the exit code for international calls from the US and Canada.
- Dial 506, Costa Rica’s country code.
- Dial the eight-digit number. Example: 011 506 2222 1234.
From a US cell phone
On a cell phone, the plus sign replaces the exit code. Press and hold 0 on the keypad until + appears, then dial 506 and the eight-digit number: +506 8888 1234. Saving contacts in this +506 format means they work from the US and from Costa Rica.
Numbers
How to Read a Costa Rican Phone Number
Costa Rica switched to eight-digit numbers in 2008, and there are no area codes. The first digit tells you what kind of line it is:
- 2: landlines, such as hotels, offices and homes.
- 5, 6, 7 and 8: cell phones, depending on the carrier.
- 4: internet-based (VoIP) lines.
- 800: toll-free numbers within Costa Rica.
Numbers are usually written in two blocks of four, such as 2222-1234. Some websites still show them with +506 or (506) in front. Either way, the local part is always eight digits. If a number has seven digits, it’s out of date.
Save money
Cheaper Ways to Call Costa Rica
- WhatsApp: the most common way to reach hotels, tour operators, drivers and vacation rental hosts in Costa Rica. Voice and video calls are free over Wi-Fi or data, and many businesses list a WhatsApp number on their websites.
- Calling apps with credit: services such as Google Voice, Viber Out and BOSS Revolution let you call regular Costa Rican landlines and cell phones over the internet at per-minute rates that are usually lower than carrier rates.
- Your carrier’s international add-on: worth it if you call Costa Rica regularly from a regular phone line.
- Email or booking messages: for non-urgent questions, many hotels also answer by email or through the booking platform.
Timing
Costa Rica Time vs US Time
Costa Rica stays on UTC-6 all year and doesn’t use daylight saving time, so the difference with the US changes twice a year.
| US time zone | US winter (standard time) | US summer (daylight time) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | Costa Rica is 1 hour behind | Costa Rica is 2 hours behind |
| Central | Same time | Costa Rica is 1 hour behind |
| Mountain | Costa Rica is 1 hour ahead | Same time |
| Pacific | Costa Rica is 2 hours ahead | Costa Rica is 1 hour ahead |
Our guide to Costa Rica time explains more.
The other direction
How to Call the US From Costa Rica
- From a Costa Rican phone or landline: dial 00, then 1, then the area code and number. Example: 00 1 212 555 0123.
- From your US cell phone while roaming: dial +1 and the 10-digit number, the same way you would at home. Roaming charges may apply.
- Over Wi-Fi: use WhatsApp or your phone’s Wi-Fi calling feature if your carrier supports it abroad.
For a local number while you’re in Costa Rica, see our guide to Costa Rica SIM cards and eSIMs.
Avoid these
Common Mistakes When Calling Costa Rica
- Dialing 1 before 506. Costa Rica isn’t part of the North American numbering plan. Use 011 or + instead.
- Using an old seven-digit number. Ask for the current eight-digit number.
- Forgetting the time difference during US daylight saving time, when Costa Rica falls two hours behind the East Coast.
- Paying international rates when WhatsApp would work. Ask hotels and guides for their WhatsApp number when you book.
Getting ready for your trip? See our Costa Rica travel checklist, our guide to power outlets and voltage, and 55 Costa Rican expressions to use on the phone.
Good to know
Calling Costa Rica FAQ
How do I call Costa Rica from the US?
Dial 011, then 506, then the eight-digit number. Example: 011 506 2222 1234.
How do I call Costa Rica from a US cell phone?
Dial +506 and the eight-digit number. To get the plus sign, press and hold 0 on the keypad.
What is the area code for Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has no area codes. Its country code is 506, and every local number has eight digits.
How do I call the US from Costa Rica?
From a Costa Rican phone, dial 00, then 1, then the area code and number. From a US cell phone, dial +1 and the 10-digit number.
What is the cheapest way to call Costa Rica?
WhatsApp calls are free over Wi-Fi or data, and many Costa Rican businesses use it. To call a regular phone, an internet calling app with credit is usually cheaper than a carrier’s international rate.
Is Costa Rica in the same time zone as the US?
Costa Rica is on UTC-6 all year. That matches US Central time in winter and Mountain time in summer.
The short version
From the US, dial 011 + 506 + the eight-digit number, or +506 from a cell phone.
Try WhatsApp first, and check the time difference, which changes when the US switches to daylight saving time.