Costa Rica Calling Code: +506
Complete guide to calling Costa Rica — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.
How to Call Costa Rica from Abroad
📞 Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
- Dial your country's exit code (e.g. 011 from US, 00 from most countries, + from mobile)
- Dial +506 — the country calling code for Costa Rica
- Dial the local phone number (area code + subscriber number)
About Costa Rica Calling Code
To reach Costa Rica from another country, first dial the international calling code +506 — assigned by the ITU — followed by the local number. Costa Rica is located in North America, in Central America.
International calling codes follow the ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164, which define how phone numbers are written and dialed across borders. The prefix you dial after the exit code tells the global telephone network which national network to route the call to.
Where the +506 Calling Code Is Used
The country code +506 is assigned to Costa Rica, located in Central America, with the capital San Jose. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Costa Rica from outside the country.
When a number is written as +506 …, the +506 prefix directs your call to the Costa Rica national network. After the prefix, dial the area code without its leading zero, then the subscriber number — the same pattern for landlines and mobiles.
ITU-T E.164 groups calling codes by world region; codes beginning with 5 cover the part of the world that includes Costa Rica, in Central America. Storing numbers with +506 and omitting the domestic leading zero keeps contacts dialable from anywhere.
Costa Rica Phone Number Formats
The ITU E.164 format for Costa Rica numbers is +506 + area code + subscriber number, used for landlines and mobiles alike. Here is the general structure:
📱 Number Structure
- International format: +506 [area code] [subscriber number]
- From abroad: exit code + +506 + local number (drop the trunk prefix 0)
- Within Costa Rica: dial the local number directly
Numbering plans vary: closed plans use fixed-length national numbers, while open plans allow variable lengths with a trunk prefix (usually 0) that is dropped for international calls. For calls to Costa Rica, replace the trunk zero with +506.
Time Zone in Costa Rica
The local time in Costa Rica follows the America/Costa_Rica time zone (UTC-06:00 UTC). Check the time difference before you dial so your call arrives during waking hours.
Time differences matter when calling Costa Rica: if it is UTC-06:00 there, a morning call from Europe may reach San Jose in the afternoon, while callers in the Americas should check the offset to avoid late-night calls.
If Costa Rica observes daylight saving time, its UTC offset shifts by an hour twice a year. Double-check the current offset before time-sensitive calls, especially in spring and autumn.
Emergency Numbers in Costa Rica
If you need urgent help while in Costa Rica, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Costa Rica.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 911 |
| Fire | 911 |
| Ambulance | 911 |
Example: Calling Costa Rica Numbers in Practice
Here is how a typical call to Costa Rica works, depending on where you are calling from:
🌍 From the United States or Canada
- Dial the US/Canada exit code 011
- Dial the Costa Rica country code +506
- Dial the local number (area code + subscriber number, without the trunk prefix 0)
Example: 011 +506 [area code] [number]
🌍 From the United Kingdom or Europe
- Dial the international access code 00 (or use the + symbol on mobile)
- Dial the Costa Rica country code +506
- Dial the local number
Example: 00 +506 [area code] [number], or +506 [area code] [number] from any mobile phone
If the local number begins with a trunk prefix (commonly 0), remove it when dialing internationally — +506 takes its place. The remaining digits are dialed exactly as written.
Calling Costa Rica from Major Countries
International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing Costa Rica (+506) from abroad:
| Calling From | Exit Code | Full International Dialing |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 011 | 011 506 [local number] |
| United Kingdom | 00 | 00 506 [local number] |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 506 [local number] |
| China | 00 | 00 506 [local number] |
| Japan | 010 | 010 506 [local number] |
| India | 00 | 00 506 [local number] |
| Germany | 00 | 00 506 [local number] |
| France | 00 | 00 506 [local number] |
On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +506 followed by the local number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calling code for Costa Rica?
The international calling code for Costa Rica is +506.
How do I call Costa Rica from the United States?
Dial 011 (US exit code), then +506, then the local phone number.
How do I call Costa Rica from the United Kingdom?
Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +506, then the local phone number.
Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?
Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +506 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.
How do I call within Costa Rica?
If you're already in Costa Rica, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +506 for domestic calls.
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +506 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.
What are the emergency numbers in Costa Rica?
Police: 911, Fire: 911, Ambulance: 911. These numbers are only valid inside Costa Rica.
Other Countries in North America
Nearby countries and their calling codes:
Calling Costa Rica from United States or Canada works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +506, then the local number. Within North America, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.