Costa Rica Country Code (+506): Complete Guide 2026
Everything about Costa Rica country code +506. Learn how to call Costa Rica from USA, mobile carriers (Kolbi, Claro, Movistar), and cheapest calling methods.
Planning to call Costa Rica from the US or anywhere in the world? The Costa Rica country code is +506. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything about calling Costa Rica, including the dialing format, mobile carriers (Kolbi, Claro, Movistar), and the cheapest ways to connect with friends, family, or businesses in the "Pura Vida" nation.
Quick Reference: Costa Rica Calling
Country Code: +506
Capital: San José
Phone Format: 8 digits
Time Zone: CST (UTC-6)
Mobile Prefix: 5, 6, 7, 8
Landline Prefix: 2
How to Call Costa Rica from the USA
Dialing Format
011 + 506 + 8-digit phone numberOr from a mobile phone using the + sign:
+506 + 8-digit phone numberNote: Costa Rica uses 8-digit phone numbers without area codes. The first digit indicates mobile vs. landline, and sometimes the carrier.
Dialing Examples
Understanding Costa Rica Phone Numbers
Costa Rica telephone numbers are 8 digits long with no area codes. The first digit tells you whether it's a landline or mobile, and often which carrier:
| First Digit | Type | Provider/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2XXX-XXXX | Landline | Fixed-line phones (ICE/Kolbi) |
| 5XXX-XXXX | Mobile | VoIP / Virtual numbers |
| 6XXX-XXXX | Mobile | Claro Costa Rica |
| 7XXX-XXXX | Mobile | Movistar Costa Rica |
| 8XXX-XXXX | Mobile | Kolbi (ICE) - State carrier |
Mobile Carriers in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's telecom market was liberalized in 2011. Today, three main carriers serve over 8 million mobile subscriptions:
Kolbi (ICE)
State-owned carrier with best nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas.
Prefix: 8
Claro
América Móvil subsidiary with competitive international rates.
Prefix: 6
Movistar (Liberty)
Now owned by Liberty Latin America. Good urban coverage.
Prefix: 7
Cheapest Ways to Call Costa Rica
VoIP Calling Apps (Best Value)
RecommendedBubblyPhone offers the lowest rates to Costa Rica - typically under $0.03 per minute for both landlines and mobiles.
WhatsApp (Free App-to-App)
WhatsApp is very popular in Costa Rica. Enjoy free voice and video calls when both parties have the app.
US Mobile Carriers
Most US carriers offer Costa Rica calling. T-Mobile includes Costa Rica in many international plans.
Cost Comparison: Calling Costa Rica
| Method | Rate/Min | 10 Min Call |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T (without plan) | $2.00/min | $20.00 |
| Verizon (without plan) | $1.49/min | $14.90 |
| T-Mobile (included) | $0.25/min | $2.50 |
| BubblyPhone | ~$0.02/min | ~$0.20 |
| WhatsApp (app-to-app) | Free | Free* |
*Requires WiFi or mobile data. Both parties need the app.
Popular Destinations in Costa Rica
San José (Capital)
Population: ~340,000. Cultural and economic center in the Central Valley.
Liberia
Gateway to Guanacaste beaches and national parks. International airport.
Manuel Antonio
Popular beach and national park destination on the Pacific coast.
La Fortuna / Arenal
Famous volcano region with hot springs and adventure tourism.
Time Zone Information
Costa Rica uses Central Standard Time (CST) year-round. Like Honduras, Costa Rica does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Time Zone: UTC-6
Same as: Chicago, Dallas, Mexico City (winter)
Best time from US East: 9am-9pm ET
Best time from US West: 7am-7pm PT
Tips for Calling Costa Rica
Pura Vida Attitude
Costa Ricans (Ticos) are known for their relaxed communication style. Business calls may be more casual than in other countries.
Strong Mobile Coverage
Costa Rica has excellent mobile coverage, even in many rainforest and beach areas. 4G/LTE is widely available.
Bilingual Country
Many Costa Ricans speak English, especially in tourist areas. Still, basic Spanish helps for business calls.
Save with +506
Store Costa Rican contacts as +506 followed by the 8-digit number for easy international dialing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the country code for Costa Rica?
The country code for Costa Rica is +506. From the USA, dial 011-506 followed by the 8-digit local number.
How many digits are in a Costa Rica phone number?
Costa Rica phone numbers are 8 digits long. There are no area codes - the whole country uses the same format.
How do I call a Costa Rica mobile from the USA?
Dial 011 + 506 + 8-digit number. Mobile numbers start with 5, 6, 7, or 8 (most commonly 8 for Kolbi). Example: 011-506-8XXX-XXXX.
Does Costa Rica have good cell coverage?
Yes! Costa Rica has excellent mobile coverage for a Central American country. 4G LTE is available in most areas, and 5G is being rolled out in major cities.
What's the cheapest way to call Costa Rica?
VoIP apps like BubblyPhone offer rates as low as $0.02/min. WhatsApp calls are free if both parties have the app installed.
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