Mexico and the United States are two neighboring countries that share a lot of cultural and economic ties. As a result, many people from the US need to make calls to Mexico for various reasons, including business, family, and travel. However, calling Mexico from the US can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with the format of Mexican phone numbers and the best way to make a call. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on how to call Mexico from the US.
The Format of Mexico Phone Numbers
Mexican phone numbers have a 10-digit format, which includes a two or three-digit area code followed by a seven to eight-digit local number. The area code is used to identify the location of the person you’re calling, while the local number is used to identify the specific line. Some of the most common two-digit area codes in Mexico include 55 (Mexico City), 33 (Guadalajara), and 81 (Monterrey). When dialing into Mexico from outside the country, the international country code is +52.
It’s essential to know the area code of the person you’re calling in Mexico. Here are some area codes of major cities in Mexico.
| Location | Area Code |
| Mexico City | 55 |
| Guadalajara | 33 |
| Monterrey | 81 |
| Cd. Juarez | 656 |
| Chihuahua | 614 |
| Durango | 618 |
| Merida | 999 |
| Puebla | 222 |
| Queretaro | 442 |
| Aguascalientes | 449 |
| La Paz | 612 |
How to Dial a Mexican Phone Number from the US
Here’s how to call a landline in Mexico from the United States.
- Dial the international access code for the US, which is 011
- Dial the country code for Mexico, which is 52
- Dial the digit “1” if you are calling a Mexican cell phone number
- Dial the area code for the person you’re calling
- Dial the seven to eight-digit local number of the person you’re calling
It is important to note that Mexican phone numbers may sometimes include a trunk code (01, 045 or 044), which is used for domestic calls within Mexico. When dialing a Mexican number from the US, you should remove the trunk code and only include the area code and local number.
For example, if you’re calling a Mexican cell phone in Mexico City with the phone number 555555555, you would dial the following:
011-52-1-55-55555555
For example, if you’re calling a Mexican landine in Mexico City with the phone number 555555555, you would dial the following:
011-52-55-55555555
How much does it cost to call Mexico from the US?
The cost of calling Mexico from the US depends on your phone plan and service provider. Some service providers offer international calling packages that include calls to Mexico at a lower rate. However, if you’re not on an international calling plan, you can expect to pay higher rates for calling Mexico from the US.
| Carrier | Basic International Rate | International Plan |
| AT&T | $1.00/Minute | AT&T International Calling Plan: $15/Month, Unlimited |
| Verizon | $0.69/Minute | Global Calling Plus: $15/Month, Unlimited Global Calling: 5/Month, Unlimited Global Choice: $10/Month, Unlimited |
| T-Mobile | $3.00/Minute | Stateside International Talk: $15/Month, Unlimited |
| Sprint | Landline- $1.00/Minute Mobile- $0.67/Minute | Sprint International Connect: $15/Month, Unlimited Mexico-Canada Plus: $5/Month, Unlimited |
| Dingtone | 0.9 credits/minute (Less than $0.02/minute) |
How to Make Cheap Calls to Mexico from the US
If you need to call Mexico frequently, there are several ways to reduce the cost of your calls:
- Use a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, such as Google Voice and Dingtone, to make internet-based calls. These services allow you to make calls to Mexico at a lower cost, or even for free, if both parties have an internet connection. When making calls to Mexico from the US with Dingtone, it costs less $0.02 per minutes.
- Use a prepaid international calling card. These cards allow you to make international calls at a lower cost by providing a local number for you to call. You can then dial the local number, followed by the number you’re calling in Mexico.
- Take advantage of special offers from your service provider. Some service providers offer discounts and promotions on international calls, including calls to Mexico.
Important Things to Consider When Calling Mexico From the US
When making an international call to Mexico from the US, it’s important to consider the following:
- Time difference: Mexico is in a different time zone than the US, so be sure to check the time difference before making your call.
- Language: Spanish is the official language in Mexico, so it’s a good idea to brush up on your Spanish speaking skills or have a Spanish-English dictionary handy if you’re not fluent.
- Area codes: As mentioned earlier, Mexican area codes are either two or three digits, and the first zero should be included when dialing the area code from the US.
- International charges: Be aware of the international charges associated with making a call to Mexico, as these charges can quickly add up. Consider opting for an international calling package or using a voice over IP (VoIP) service to minimize these charges.
- Mobile vs. landline: When calling a Mexican cell phone, be sure to include the digit “1” after the country code, as mentioned earlier.