How to call to Mexico from the US
If you ever wonder how to call Mexico from the US, or if it costs extra to call Mexico or if there are extra costs when calling Mexico,The good news is that calling Mexico from the US is easy and affordable. Whether you’re calling family or arranging your vacation, the process for calling Mexico is pretty much the same.
You just need to ensure your phone is set up to make international calls and know how to dial international numbers with a Mexican area code. Keep reading for specific directions on how to make calls to Mexico from the US plus tips to save money on your calls.
Dialing up from the US to Mexico
To call Mexico, you need to consider if you’ll be calling a Mexican landline or cell phone, know the Mexican area code of the location, and costs.
Once you know that information, use the following steps to call Mexico.
For example, with the following Mexican phone number, +52 55 1254 5678. You would dial 011 before entering the country code (52), the area code (55), and the eight-digit phone number (12545678).
Calling a Mexican cell phone from the US
Here’s how to call Mexico from the US when calling a cell phone.
Assuming you had to dial the Durango cell phone number, 52-618-155-5555.
Dial the exit code, 011 Dial the country code, 52 Dial the cell phone code, 1. Dial the area code, 618155-5555.
Calling landline numbers in Mexico
Here’s how to call Mexico from the US when calling a landline.
For this one, we’ll use a dummy Durango landline, 011-52-618-555-5555.
Dial the exit code, 011 Dial the Mexican country code, 52 Dial the Durango area code, 618 Dial the phone number, 555-5555.
Mexico local area calling codes
Here’s a list of the telephone area codes in major Mexican towns and cities.
| Location | Area Code | Location | Area Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acapulco | 744 | Mazatlan | 669 |
| Aguascalientes | 449 | Merida | 999 |
| Cabo San Lucas | 624 | Mexicali | 686 |
| Campeche | 981 | Mexico City | 55 |
| Cancun | 998 | Minatitlan | 922 |
| Celaya | 461 | Monclova | 866 |
| Cd. Juarez | 656 | Monterrey | 81 |
| Cd. Lazaro. Cardenas | 753 | Morelia | 443 |
| Cd. Obregon | 644 | Nuevo Laredo | 867 |
| Cd. Sahagun | 791 | Oaxaca | 951 |
| Cd. Valles | 481 | Orizaba | 272 |
| Cd. Victoria | 834 | Pachuca | 771 |
| Coatzacoalcos | 921 | Patzcuaro | 434 |
| Colima | 312 | Poza Rica | 782 |
| Cuernavaca | 777 | Puebla | 222 |
| Culiacan | 667 | Puerto Vallarta | 322 |
| Chetumal | 983 | Queretaro | 442 |
| Chihuahua | 614 | Saltillo | 844 |
| Chilpancingo | 747 | San Felipe | 686 |
| Durango | 618 | San Luis Potosi | 444 |
| Fresnillo | 493 | Tampico | 833 |
| Guadalajara | 33 | Tapachula | 962 |
| Guadalupe Victoria | 676 | Taxco | 762 |
| Guamuchil | 673 | Tehuacan | 238 |
| Guanajuato | 473 | Tepic | 311 |
| Guasave | 687 | Tequisquiapan | 414 |
| Guaymas | 622 | Texcoco | 595 |
| Hermosillo | 662 | Teziutlan | 231 |
| Huatabampo | 647 | Tlaxcala | 246 |
| Iguala | 733 | Toluca | 722 |
| Isla Mujeres | 998 | Torreon | 871 |
| Ixtapan de la Sal | 721 | Tulancingo | 775 |
| Jalapa | 228 | Tuxpan | 783 |
| La Paz | 612 | Tuxtla Gutierrez | 961 |
| Leon | 477 | Valle de Bravo | 726 |
| Manzanillo | 314 | Veracruz City | 229 |
| Maravatio | 447 | Villahermosa | 993 |
| Matamoros | 868 | Zacatecas | 492 |
Didn’t find yours? No worries, click here for a complete list of area codes in Mexico.
How much does it cost to call Mexico?
| Brand | Regular monthly rate | Features | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss Revolution special calling plan | $5.00 | - Unlimited calls to landlines and mobile phones in over 40 countries, including Mexico. |
- You need to download the Boss Revolution App and purchase a calling plan. - There are no subscription fees. Add credit only when you need to make calls. |
| Simple Mobile | $10.00 |
- Unlimited long-distance calls to Mexico. - Pay as you go for other countries. |
You need a SIM Kit or a Simple Mobile Phone. |
| Verizon - Global Calling | $5.00 | - Unlimited long-distance calls to Mexico and Canada. | - Unlimited calling from the US to 85+ countries |
| AT&T International Calling | $15.00 | - Unlimited calling from the US to 85+ countries | Requires a domestic postpaid wireless plan that includes unlimited talk. Additional taxes, fees, and restrictions apply. |
The data shown in the table above is up to date as of July 27, 2021. The current data may differ slightly because of changes in policies and fluctuations in exchange rates.
Virtual & physical calling cards
You might not know how to call Mexico from the US if you don’t have an Internet connection, a landline, or a mobile calling plan. The good news is that you have access to other options when calling internationally. You can use a virtual or physical calling card from a provider like BOSS Revolution.
These cards allow you to call from the US to Mexico and will work with practically any phone, even payphones. The current rate as of this article is 1.5 cents per minute for BOSS Revolution – no subscription fees.
Worth noting is that some calling cards have daily, weekly, or monthly maintenance fees along with extra add-ons like connection fees for each call made. These fees will drain your calling card, and with maintenance fees, the drain continues even when not in use. But you won't have to pay such fees with BOSS Revolution calling cards.
Calling Mexico from the United States for free
You can use free Internet communication tools or mobile apps to call Mexico for free, such as BOSS revolution (available on Android and iOS) or Facetime. But keep in mind that your friends and family must also download the app to receive and make free calls. Plus, you’ll need a strong Internet connection.
Voice solutions for businesses
Are you thinking about how to call Mexico while in your business or at work?
Well, businesses can use virtual numbers (also known as Direct Inward Dialing or DID) to make calls. These numbers allow you to bypass the main telephone line and avoid the usual charges that come with your service. In other words, you’ll be using the Internet or VoIP to call Mexico instead of calling with your telephone line.
For a solution, consider IDT Express, which offers virtual numbers in over 70 countries.
Final notes for calling Mexico
- Calling landlines is cheaper than calling mobile numbers in Mexico.
- Physical calling cards are usually the cheapest option when you don’t have an Internet connection.
- If you plan to make regular calls to Mexico, consider signing up for an international calling plan.
Time zone Information
- Mexico and the United States have multiple time zones.
- Mexico has a varying Daylight-Saving Time (DST) schedule, which can cause confusion. There are four time zones (standard) in the country that mirror the time zones in the contiguous United States (lower 48 states in North America). There are also 3 DST time zones.
- Most eastern and central parts of Mexico, including Mexico City, use Central Standard Time (Zona Centro).
- Most of western Mexico, including Baja California Sur, Nayarit, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora states, use Mountain Standard Time (Zona Pacífico).
- The state of Baja California and the Pacific Ocean are on Pacific Standard Time (Zona Noroeste).
- Mexico's easternmost state, Quintana Roo, observes Eastern Standard Time (Zona Sureste).
- The US has nine time zones, excluding the uninhabited US territories of Howland Island and Baker Island.
- The contiguous US has four standard time zones.
- Hawaii, Alaska, and five other US territories have their own time zones.
Wrapping up
Now that you know how to call Mexico, make sure you use a good calling solution or plan with a trustworthy provider. That’s because making calls to Mexico with a traditional phone carrier isn’t optimal as rates are typically much higher. Lastly, remember that if you own a company and frequently need to call Mexico for business purposes – you can reduce or eliminate calling rates with virtual numbers.
Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of July 27, 2021
This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.
