Nicaragua Calling Code: +505

Complete guide to calling Nicaragua — international dialing code, step-by-step instructions, and FAQ.

How to Call Nicaragua from Abroad

About Nicaragua Calling Code

Nicaragua's international dialing code is +505. This code is assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and must be dialed before the local phone number when calling Nicaragua from another country. Nicaragua is located in North America.

Country calling codes (also known as ISD codes or dialing codes) are telephone numbering plan prefixes defined by ITU-T standards E.123 and E.164. Each country is assigned one or more unique prefixes to facilitate international direct dialing.

Where the +505 Calling Code Is Used

The country code +505 is assigned to Nicaragua, located in Central America, with the capital Managua. This code is part of the international telephony numbering plan and is used for all calls made to Nicaragua from outside the country.

When you see a phone number written as +505 ..., the +505 prefix tells your telephone network to route the call to Nicaragua's national telephone network. After the country code, you dial the local area code (dropping any leading 0) and the subscriber number. The same format applies whether you are calling a landline or a mobile phone.

Country codes are allocated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T Recommendation E.164) and are grouped by geographic region. Calling codes starting with 5 are generally assigned to the region around Nicaragua, in Central America. When a phone number is stored internationally, the leading zeros of the domestic area code are omitted after the country code — this is why you will often see numbers written as +505 followed directly by the area code and number.

Nicaragua Phone Number Formats

Phone numbers in Nicaragua follow the ITU E.164 international format: country code + area code + subscriber number. Below is the general structure used for both landlines and mobile numbers.

Most countries use a closed or open telephone numbering plan. In an open plan, the length of local numbers varies and the trunk prefix (usually 0) is dropped when dialing internationally. In a closed plan, all national numbers have a fixed length regardless of area. When dialing Nicaragua from abroad, always replace the leading trunk zero with the country code +505.

Time Zone in Nicaragua

Nicaragua is in the America/Managua time zone, which is UTC-06:00 relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). If you are calling from a different time zone, remember to account for the time difference when scheduling your international call.

When planning a call to Nicaragua, the time difference matters: a good time to reach businesses in Managua, the capital, during their working hours may be early morning or late evening in your own time zone. Many international callers use the UTC offset as a quick reference to avoid calling in the middle of the night.

Some countries observe daylight saving time (DST), which shifts the local clock by one hour during summer months. If Nicaragua uses DST, the effective offset changes twice a year — check the current UTC offset before dialing if your call is time-sensitive. For most purposes, however, the standard offset shown above is sufficient.

Emergency Numbers in Nicaragua

If you need urgent help while in Nicaragua, dial the local emergency numbers below. Note that these numbers are only for use inside Nicaragua.

Service	Number
Police	118
Fire	115
Ambulance	128

Example: Calling Nicaragua Numbers in Practice

Here is how a typical call to Nicaragua works, depending on where you are calling from:

If the number you are calling has a domestic trunk prefix (often 0) in front of the area code, omit it when dialing from abroad. The country code +505 replaces the trunk prefix entirely.

Calling Nicaragua from Major Countries

International exit codes differ by country. Use this reference when dialing Nicaragua (+505) from abroad:

Calling From	Exit Code	Full International Dialing
United States	011	011 505 [local number]
United Kingdom	00	00 505 [local number]
Australia	0011	0011 505 [local number]
China	00	00 505 [local number]
Japan	010	010 505 [local number]
India	00	00 505 [local number]
Germany	00	00 505 [local number]
France	00	00 505 [local number]

On mobile phones, the + symbol replaces the exit code entirely — just dial +505 followed by the local number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the calling code for Nicaragua?

The international calling code for Nicaragua is +505.

How do I call Nicaragua from the United States?

Dial 011 (US exit code), then +505, then the local phone number.

How do I call Nicaragua from the United Kingdom?

Dial 00 (UK exit code), then +505, then the local phone number.

Can I use the + symbol instead of the exit code?

Yes! On mobile phones you can dial +505 directly followed by the local number. The + symbol automatically replaces your country's exit code.

How do I call within Nicaragua?

If you're already in Nicaragua, simply dial the local number directly. You do not need to use the country code +505 for domestic calls.

What is the capital of Nicaragua?

The capital of Nicaragua is Managua. When calling the capital from abroad, dial +505 followed by the local area code (without the leading 0) and the number.

What are the emergency numbers in Nicaragua?

Police: 118, Fire: 115, Ambulance: 128. These numbers are only valid inside Nicaragua.

Other Countries in North America

Nearby countries and their calling codes:

Calling Nicaragua from United States or Canada works the same way: dial your local exit code first, then +505, then the local number. Within North America, many callers simply use the + symbol on mobile to avoid exit-code differences.