Calling Mexico from the US: Everything You Need to Know

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Calling Mexico from the United States is now easier than ever. To dial a phone number in Mexico, begin by entering the exit code—011 if you're using landline, or + on a cell phone. Then, dial 52, Mexico's country code, followed by the 10-digit phone number. You can pay for calls to Mexico using your international long-distance calling plan, calling credits, or using apps like Skype, Viber, and Google Voice. This wikiHow article will teach you the easiest ways to call someone in Mexico from the United States, both by dialing a phone number and using free apps.

Things You Should Know

If you're using your mobile phone, dial +52 XX-XXXX-XXXX.
When calling from a landline, dial 011 52 XX-XXXX-XXXX.
Use apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime to call Mexico for free.

Dialing the Number

Enter the exit code. The exit code you enter will be a little different depending on whether you're calling Mexico from a landline or mobile phone. If you're using a landline, dial 011 (the United States exit code). If you're calling from a mobile phone, dial +, which shares a key with 0. You will be able to dial any foreign number after you dial 011 or +, including Mexico.

Enter Mexico's country code, 52. After the exit code, enter 52 to call Mexico. You can call any landline or cell phone in Mexico with this code.Did you know? As of August 3rd, 2019, you no longer need to dial a 1 after the country code when calling a cellular phone in Mexico.

Enter the area code. Mexican phone numbers are 10 digits long, beginning with a 2 or 3-digit area code. For example, 55 is the area code for Mexico City, and 444 is the area code for Acapulco. If you see the prefix 01, 044, or 045 in front of the area code of the number you want to call, don't dial it. These trunk codes were only to be used when calling within Mexico, and have been dropped altogether as of 2019. If you don't have the area code of the city or region in Mexico you're trying to call, check out our Mexican area code list.

Dial the 7 to 8-digit phone number. Altogether, the number you enter after the country code should be 10 digits long. Some phone carriers give the option to block international calls, so if your call does not go through, make sure you are capable of making international calls from your phone.

Paying for Calls

Check with your phone provider for current rates. Many mobile phone providers, including T-Mobile and AT&T, offer free calls to Mexico and Canada from the United States with certain plans. If free calls to Mexico aren't included in your plan, you may be able to add an unlimited international calling feature for an affordable rate—much more affordable than paying by the minute with a calling card. Most US-based landline phone providers also offer affordable packages with unlimited calls to Mexico, including Verizon, Vonage, and Spectrum.

Use Skype, Viber, or Google Voice to call and text phones in Mexico. You can call both landlines and cell phones directly from these apps, even if the person you're calling doesn't have them. However if both you and the person you're calling both have internet connections, you can also use these apps and more to talk on the phone for free. If you use Skype to call a Mexican phone number, you can pay as you go, or try one of Skype's unlimited calling plans that cover Mexico. On Viber, you can buy credits to call Mexico for as low as 1.8 cents per minute (mobile numbers) or 1.2 cents per minute (landline numbers). Alternatively, you can opt for their $5.99 unlimited plan. Google Voice advertises rates of $.01 per minute to call landlines in Mexico, and $.02 to call cell phones.

Buy voice credit online to call Mexico. There are companies that provide transparent policies, inexpensive rates, and easy to use services that allow you to call Mexico from your cell phone or landline. Simply do an online search using terms like "buy credit to call Mexico." Once you do, sign up, download an app on your computer or smartphone, and buy credit for as little as $5. These services often have much more transparent policies and fees and cost less than calling cards.

Avoid using calling cards. The majority of calling cards have unclear terms and fees. It is more affordable to use web-based calling like Google Voice or to buy phone credit through an online company because the services are less costly and more transparent. If you do have to use calling cards, use cards with lower cost-per-minute rates and an inexpensive connection fee unless you are going to be using all of your minutes in one phone call. Find cards that advertise specifically for Mexico. These cards can be less expensive than buying general international calling cards. Buy cards from stores that let you look at the card before you buy it. Check to see what the rates are and whether there are service fees. Compare cards and find the best deal for your needs.

Calling for Free

FaceTime. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can use FaceTime to place free international calls with video to Mexico. Even if the person you're calling doesn't have an Apple device, you can send them a FaceTime join link they can use on their Android or computer.

WhatsApp. WhatsApp is another VoIP app that makes it easy to place free international voice and video calls from the United States to Mexico. Both you and the person you're calling will need to install WhatsApp on your phones, and then add each other to your contact lists.

Facebook Messenger. If both you and the person you're calling have Facebook accounts, you can use the Messenger app on your computer, phone, or tablet to call each other for free. Messenger also makes it easy to invite other people to join in on your call, which can be great for family conversations.

Skype. If the person you're calling in Mexico has Skype and you both have internet connections, you can call them for free. Unlike using Skype to dial a Mexican phone number, which costs money, you can place unlimited audio and video calls at no cost as long as both people have Skype accounts and internet connections.

Mexican Area Codes

Find the area code for the city, town, or region you are calling. Area codes in Mexico are 2-3 digits. Acapulco 744 Aguascalientes 449 Cabo San Lucas 624 Campeche 981 Cancun 998 Celaya 461 Cd. Juarez 656 Cd. Lazaro. Cardenas 753 Cd. Oregon 644 Cd. Sahagun 791 Cd. Valles 481 Cd. Victoria 834 Coatzacoalcos 921 Colima 312 Cuernavaca 777 Culiacan 667 Chetumal 983 Chihuahua 614 Chilpancingo 747 Durango 618 Fresnillo 493 Guadalajara 33 Guadalupe Victoria 676 Guamuchil 673 Guanajuato 473 Guasave 687 Guaymas 622 Hermosillo 662 Huatabampo 647 Iguala 733 Isla Mujeres 998 Ixtapan de la Sal 721 Jalapa 228 La Paz 612 Leon 477 Manzanillo 314 Maravatio 447 Matamoros 868 Mazatlan 669 Merida 999 Mexicali 686 Mexico City 55 Minatitlan 922 Monclova 866 Monterrey 81 Morelia 443 Nuevo Laredo 867 Oaxaca 951 Orizaba 272 Pachuca 771 Patzcuaro 434 Poza Rica 782 Puebla 222 Puerto Vallarta 322 Queretaro 442 Saltillo 844 San Felipe 686 San Luis Potosi 444 Tampico 833 Tapachula 962 Taxco 762 Tehuacan 238 Tepic 311 Tequisquiapan 414 Texcoco 595 Teziutlan 231 Tlaxcala 246 Toluca 722 Torreon 871 Tulancingo 775 Tuxpan 783 Tuxtla Gutierrez 961 Valle de Bravo 726 Veracruz City 229 Villahermosa 993 Zacatecas 492