How Do You Call Colombia from the US?

When calling Colombia from the United States, you must dial 011 as the US international exit code, followed by 57, Colombia’s country code. Then, enter the area code for landlines or the mobile prefix for mobile numbers, and the rest of the phone number to complete the call.

When you call another country from the USA, you must first dial the US International Access Code, also known as the US exit code. Dialing this code informs the phone network that you’re making an international call. For the US, this code is 011. Alternatively, you can use the “+” symbol in place of the exit code if you’re calling from a cell phone.

The country code follows the exit codes when making an international call from the US to Colombia. This instructs your phone network to route your call to Colombia. The country code for Colombia is 57.

The area code represents the specific region or city you’re calling within a country. Each city in Colombia has its own area code. For example, Bogotá has the area code 601, and Medellín has the area code 604.

Here is the list of popular area codes in Colombia:

To call Colombia from the US, follow the format: US exit code + Colombia country code + area code/mobile prefix + phone number.

However, the process is different for landline, mobile, and toll-free numbers.

To call the landline number from the USA to Colombia, first dial the USA exit code, followed by the Colombia country code, area code, and local landline number.

1. Dial the USA Exit Code: Start by dialing 011, which is the international exit code for the United States. Or, dial the “+” sign.
2. Enter the Colombia Country Code: Next, dial 57, the country code for Colombia.
3. Add the Area Code: Dial the Colombian area code for the specific city or region. For instance, dial ‘601’ for Bogotá or ‘604’ for Medellín.
4. Enter the Local Number: Finally, dial the 7-digit local landline number.

To reach a mobile number in Colombia from the US, simply dial the US exit code, the Colombian country code, followed by the mobile prefix and the recipient's mobile number.

1. Dial the USA Exit Code: Start with 011 or the “+” sign.
2. Enter the Country Code: Dial 57 for Colombia.
3. Add the Mobile Prefix: Enter the mobile prefix of the Colombian mobile number.
4. Dial the Subscriber Number: Finally, enter rest of the subscriber's mobile number.

To dial a Colombian toll-free number from the US, first enter the exit code for the USA, the Colombian country code, and the toll-free number.

1. Dial the US Exit Code: Enter 011 or the “+” sign to start the international call.
2. Enter the Country Code: Dial 57, the country code for Colombia.
3. Add the Toll-Free Prefix: Dial the Colombian toll-free prefix, usually starting with 800.
4. Dial the Subscriber Number: Enter the rest of the toll-free number (typically 6–7 digits).

The best time to call Colombia from the US is during their business hours, generally 9 AM to 5 PM local time, which translates to late mornings/early afternoons in the US. For personal calls, it’s generally best to contact in the evening, between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM (Colombia time), when most people are off work and more likely to be available.

Columbia follows a single time zone, which operates in UTC-5. Unlike other countries, Colombia does not observe daylight saving, so the time remains constant throughout the year. However, the USA operates in 6 different time zones, which are Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian.

The table below shows the best times to call Colombia during business hours.

Note: The above calling times may vary during daylight saving time, as Colombia does not observe daylight saving time while the US does.

Calling Colombia from the United States costs $1.99–$3.00 per minute on traditional mobile carriers, $0.02–$0.10 per minute using VoIP services, and $0.02–$0.08 per minute with calling cards, while internet-based apps often offer free calling over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

Traditional direct dialing allows you to call Colombia using a landline or mobile phone by entering the required international dialing codes. Although it’s straightforward, international calling rates can be high, especially for longer calls or frequent communication. These expenses can often be lowered by subscribing to an international calling plan.

VoIP services allow you to make international calls over the internet using a virtual phone number instead of traditional phone lines. They offer a more affordable and flexible way to call Colombia, with per-minute rates ranging from $0.02 to $0.10, depending on the provider and plan.

Calling cards provide a prepaid way to make calls to other countries. After purchasing a card, you dial an access number, enter a PIN, and then dial the destination number. They can be cost-effective for occasional use, though rates vary by card and country, and unused balances may expire. Calling rates generally range from $0.02 to $0.08 per minute, depending on the country you are calling.

Internet-based messaging apps such as Viber, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp allow voice and video calls using a data or Wi-Fi connection. These apps are often free or low-cost but require both callers to use the same platform and have a stable internet connection.

Calling Colombia from the US may initially seem complex, but it is a straightforward process. You simply need to dial the US exit code, Colombia's country code, the area code or mobile prefix, followed by the suscirber number in the correct format.

Beyond the dialing format, international calling costs are another key factor, as traditional carriers often charge high rates for overseas calls. VoIP services provide a more cost-effective alternative for international communication.

Among the top VoIP services, Calilio stands out as an affordable option, letting you acquire a Colombian virtual number to make calls at local rates. In addition, Calilio provides advanced calling features and HD call quality, making international communication convenient and reliable. Sign up for Calilio today!