🇨🇷International Calling Guide

How to Call
Costa Rica (+506)

From United States to Costa Rica, the country code is +506. With StartACall you skip the codes and the downloads and dial Costa Rica from any browser tab.

Product facts

  • Outbound: No dedicated number required.
  • Inbound: Requires US/Canada digital number ($2.14 to $5/month).
  • No apps: Works in Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox.

Product facts: Calls to Costa Rica

  • Outbound calling: Call worldwide instantly. No dedicated number required.
  • Inbound calling: To receive calls in your browser, a unique US or Canada digital number is required ($2.14 to $5/month).
  • App-free: Works directly in Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox.
Dialing Format
Calling Costa RicaReady
🇨🇷

How to Call Costa Rica from USA

Costa Rica uses a simple 8-digit numbering plan. There are no separate city codes to dial; they are built into the number.

1

Exit Code

Dial 011 if calling from a US landline.
(On mobile/VoIP, just use the + sign)

2

Country Code (+506)

Dial 506. This connects you to the Costa Rican telecom network.

3

8-Digit Number

Dial the full 8-digit subscriber number.
Example: 22xx-xxxx (Landline) or 8xxx-xxxx (Mobile)

Understanding the 8-Digit Format

Costa Rica unified its phone system in 2008. All numbers are 8 digits long. You can identify the type of number by the first digit.

Landline (Starts with 2)
+506 2222 1234
(San José area typically starts with 22)
Mobile (Starts with 6, 7, 8)
+506 8888 1234
(Kölbi/Liberty/Claro mobiles)

Province & City Prefixes

While there are no separate area codes, landlines in specific provinces usually start with these digits.

City/ProvinceTypeStarts With
San JoséLandline22xx...
AlajuelaLandline24xx...
CartagoLandline25xx...
HerediaLandline26xx...
GuanacasteLandline26xx...
City/ProvinceTypeStarts With
PuntarenasLandline26xx...
LimónLandline27xx...
San CarlosLandline24xx...
Pérez ZeledónLandline27xx...
LiberiaLandline26xx...
Mobile Networks

Calling Costa Rican Mobiles

Mobile numbers are also 8 digits long. They typically begin with 6, 7, or 8.

8xxx xxxx
Kölbi (ICE)
6xxx xxxx
Liberty (Movistar)
7xxx xxxx
Claro

Cheap Calls to Costa Rica
From Your Browser

Whether you're a tourist confirming a reservation in Guanacaste or an expat calling home to San José, StartACall offers the best rates. Avoid expensive roaming charges and connect instantly via VoIP.

  • Instant connection to Kölbi, Liberty & Claro
  • No SIM card or App download needed
  • Call landlines in San José, Alajuela, Heredia
  • Pay-as-you-go (No monthly contracts)

Save Money

Save up to 90% compared to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile international plans.

Nationwide

Reach any number in Costa Rica, from the beaches to the mountains.

Secure

Encrypted calls ensure your conversations stay private.

Instant

No registration delays. Start calling immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the country code for Costa Rica?

The country calling code for Costa Rica is +506. You must dial this after your country's exit code (011 for US) to connect.

How do I call a mobile number in Costa Rica?

Dial +506 followed by the 8-digit mobile number. Mobile numbers in Costa Rica typically start with 6, 7, or 8 (e.g., +506 8xxx xxxx).

Are there area codes in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica uses a unified 8-digit numbering plan. While there are no separate area codes to dial, landlines in specific provinces often share the same starting digits (e.g., San José landlines often start with 22).

Can I call Costa Rica for free?

StartACall offers a free trial for new users to test call quality. After that, we offer some of the lowest rates on the market for calls to Costa Rica, much cheaper than traditional carriers.

Ready to call Costa Rica?

Start making calls in seconds. No credit card required to sign up.

Calling Costa Rica from United States: what to know

Costa Rica answers on the country code +506, with the capital in San Jose and most business concentrated around San Jose and Mobile. The working language for business is Spanish, and local offices generally keep hours of 08:00 to 17:00, with a midday break common outside the capital.

From United States the outbound access code is 011, so a manual dial reads 011 then +506 then the local number. StartACall removes that step: the call goes through your browser, so there is nothing to install and no SIM card to swap when you travel between United States and Costa Rica.

Most mobiles in Costa Rica sit on operators such as Kolbi (ICE), Claro, Liberty (Movistar). Costa Rica uses a closed 8 digit plan with no area codes; landlines begin with 2 and mobiles with 6, 7 or 8.

Costa Rica runs on UTC minus 6, and it does not observe daylight saving, so the time difference stays constant through the year.

How to dial Costa Rica from United States

  1. 1
    Dial the exit code 011

    011 is the international access code used when dialing out of United States. On a mobile you can press and hold 0 to enter the plus sign instead.

  2. 2
    Enter the country code +506

    +506 routes the call to Costa Rica.

  3. 3
    Add the local number

    Dial the destination number without its leading 0. For San Jose that means including the area code landline starts 2.

Best time to call Costa Rica

The destination is 1 hour behind you.

United States clock (UTC minus 5)
10:00 to 17:00
Costa Rica clock (UTC minus 6)
09:00 to 16:00

Place the call inside this window and both you and the person in Costa Rica are within normal working hours.

Rates to Costa Rica (+506)

Pay as you go, billed per minute with no connection surprises. A sample 10 minute call is shown for each line type.

Line typePer minute10 minute call
Mobile$0.3856$3.86
Landline$0.1621$1.62

Rates as of 2026-07-06, in US dollars, and subject to change. The exact rate is always confirmed in the dialer before you connect.

Frequently asked questions

How do I call Costa Rica from United States?+

Dial 011 then +506 followed by the local number without its leading 0. From a browser on StartACall you simply enter the number and press call, with no exit code to remember.

What is the country code for Costa Rica?+

The country code for Costa Rica is +506. San Jose uses the area code landline starts 2.

What is the best time to call Costa Rica?+

The destination is 1 hour behind you. Calling between 10:00 to 17:00 your time reaches Costa Rica during its working day (09:00 to 16:00 local time).

Do I need to install an app to call Costa Rica?+

No. StartACall runs in your browser on Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox, so you can place the call without downloading anything or buying a phone number for outbound calls.

Can I receive calls as well?+

Outbound calls need no number. To receive inbound calls you add a US or Canada digital number, billed monthly, and answer it in the same browser tab.

Last reviewed June 2026Reviewed by the StartACall calling teamDialing rules cross checked against ITU international dialing procedures
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