How to Call Costa Rica from the US? A Step-by-Step Guide

Before calling, it’s essential to know the correct international dialing format for Costa Rica. This includes the exit code, Costa Rica’s country code (506), and the 8-digit local phone number. Unlike many other countries, Costa Rica does not use area codes in its dialing format.

An exit code is required to call overseas from any country. For the United States, it's 011. However, if you’re calling from a mobile phone, you can use the plus sign (+) instead of 011.

The country code for Costa Rica is 506. This code must be dialed after the international exit code when calling Costa Rica from another country. Without it, the call will not connect.

A subscriber number is a unique number assigned to an individual or business. Costa Rica’s local number contains eight digits, where the first digit indicates the type of service. Landline numbers start with 2, while mobile numbers usually start with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

To call Costa Rica from the United States, dial the US exit code, then the Costa Rican country code (506), followed by the 8-digit local phone number.

• Dial the US exit code, 011 or +.
• Enter Costa Rica's country code, 506.
• Dial the 8-digit local phone number.

To call a Costa Rican toll-free number from the USA, dial the US exit code (011) followed by the Costa Rica country code (506), the toll-free prefix (800), and the remaining number.

• Dial the US international exit code, 011 or +.
• Dial Costa Rica’s country code, 506.
• Enter the toll-free prefix.
• Dial the remaining digits.

Note: Costa Rican toll-free numbers may not work from outside the country, or international charges may apply.

The best time to call Costa Rica from the United States is during Costa Rica’s business hours, usually 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time. For personal calls, late morning to early afternoon is generally an ideal window.

It's also important to consider the time zone differences between the countries as they operate on different time zones. Costa Rica follows Central Standard Time (UTC-6) year-round and does not observe daylight saving time. On the other hand, the US spans multiple time zones.

Though the time difference between the US and Costa Rica is relatively small, 1-2 hours depending on the US time zone, considering the differences helps you reach your recipient at their convenient time.

Here are the best times to call Costa Rica from the different time zones in the United States:

The cost of calling Costa Rica from the United States can vary widely depending on the provider you use and the type of number you are calling. On average, rates can range from $0.036 to over $3 per minute, depending on the carrier

Here’s a look at the average pricing structure from popular telephone carriers in the US:

You can reduce the cost of dialing Costa Rica from the United States by using virtual phone numbers, prepaid calling cards, or social media apps. These alternatives usually offer lower calling rates for international calls compared to standard rates by traditional carriers.

VoIP service providers offer virtual phone numbers that allow you to make calls over the internet. Most providers come with low per-minute rates for international calls. Moreover, you can use the numbers on multiple devices (laptops, computers, tablets) through the service provider’s VoIP app.

Calling cards provide prepaid minutes for international calling at reduced rates. They are easy to use and can be a good choice for frequent calls. To make a call, dial an access number and a PIN (usually available at the back of the card) and enter your phone number.

Apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber allow free app-to-app calls using Wi-Fi or mobile data. As long as both parties have the same app installed, you can make voice or video calls without paying any charges.

Dialing Costa Rica from the US is easy once you know the correct dialing format. You have to dial the US exit code, followed by Costa Rica’s country code, and the local number. However, bear in mind that the calling cost may be expensive with traditional carriers due to roaming charges. To save on costs, you can use a virtual phone number, calling cards, or social media apps instead.

Calilio’s virtual phone numbers offer the most practical solution. They come with low international calling rates with added flexibility and benefits. Calls can be made from anywhere using multiple devices, as long as you’re connected to the internet. It also includes essential telephony features like call forwarding, voicemail, number sharing, and more, particularly useful for business communication.

Calilio’s basic plan starts at $15 per month only, and you can get a US virtual phone number for free with each subscription.