Free Call to Colombia from US — $0.03/min (2026)
Call Colombia free with WhatsApp (35M+ users). Calling a phone? BubblyPhone $0.03/min. 2021 numbering change explained, +57 dialing guide, same time zone as EST.
Yes: calls to Colombia are free app-to-app on WhatsApp, which nearly every Colombian uses, and on Messenger or FaceTime. To call a Colombian phone number, BubblyPhone costs from $0.03/min, about $1.80 an hour. The country code is +57, and Colombia shares US Eastern time (UTC-5).
Same time zone as the US East Coast means no awkward scheduling math. Here's how to call Colombia for free — and the cheapest paid options when you need to dial a phone number.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. WhatsApp — Everyone in Colombia Uses It
WhatsApp dominates Colombia with over 35 million users. It's not just a messaging app — Colombians use it for everything: family group chats, business orders, doctor appointment confirmations, and of course voice and video calls. If your Colombian contact has a phone, they have WhatsApp.
Pro tip: WhatsApp voice calls use only about 0.5 MB per minute. Even if your contact in Colombia has a basic data plan, calls work reliably on 4G or even 3G networks.
2. Facebook Messenger — Very Popular in Colombia
Facebook is hugely popular in Colombia, and Messenger voice/video calls are free and high-quality. Many Colombians have both WhatsApp and Messenger. If WhatsApp call quality is poor, Messenger is a solid backup.
3. FaceTime — If Both Have iPhones
iPhone market share in Colombia is around 15-20% — lower than the US but growing, especially in major cities like Bogota and Medellin. If your contact has an iPhone, FaceTime audio and video are free.
4. Telegram — Growing Fast
Telegram is gaining traction in Colombia, especially among younger users and tech-savvy Colombians. Voice calls work well. Worth trying if your contact uses it, but WhatsApp remains the safe bet.
Calling Colombian Phone Numbers — Very Cheap
Colombia is one of the cheapest countries to call from the US — rates are well under a dime per minute:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $0.01/min | $0.01/min | US Google account required |
| BubblyPhone | $0.03/min | $0.03/min | Browser, iOS, Android — no Google account needed |
| Rebtel | $0.12/min | $0.03/min | Unlimited plans ~$10/mo |
| Viber Out | $0.049/min | $0.049/min | Convenient if already on Viber |
| KeepCalling | $0.035/min | $0.03/min | Good value for landlines |
| AT&T / Verizon | $1.00-3.00/min | $1.00-3.00/min | Up to 140x more expensive |
Our honest take: Google Voice ($0.01/min) is the cheapest paid option for Colombia if you have a US Google Voice account. BubblyPhone (from $0.03/min, about $1.80 an hour) works without one, in any browser. But honestly? Almost every Colombian has WhatsApp — use that and it's free.
How to Dial Colombia from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 57 + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+57 + 10-digit number
# Example — calling a Bogota landline:
+57 601 234 5678
# Example — calling a Colombian mobile:
+57 310 123 4567
# Example — calling Medellin:
+57 604 234 5678
Important: Colombia Changed Its Numbering in 2021
Since September 2021, Colombia unified its numbering system. All numbers are now 10 digits after the country code — both mobile and landline. Landlines now include the area code as a prefix (e.g., Bogota landlines start with 601, Medellin with 604). If you have an old 7-digit number, add the area prefix.
Major Area Codes
- Bogota: 601
- Medellin: 604
- Cali: 602
- Barranquilla: 605
- Cartagena: 605
- Bucaramanga: 607
- Pereira: 606
Carriers & Mobile
- Claro: Largest carrier (~50% share)
- Movistar: Second largest
- Tigo: Third carrier, strong in cities
- Mobile prefixes: 300-350 range (10 digits total)
- 4G/LTE: Good coverage in cities, spotty in rural areas
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Colombia
WhatsApp — free, and every Colombian already has it. Voice and video calls work well even on slower connections. No convincing needed — they're already using it daily.
Calling a Colombian business
BubblyPhone (from $0.03/min) works without a Google account; a 30-minute call costs about $0.90. Google Voice is cheaper at $0.01/min if you have a US account. Many Colombian businesses also accept WhatsApp calls.
Calling a Colombian mobile number
BubblyPhone (from $0.03/min) or Google Voice ($0.01/min with a US account). But first ask if they have WhatsApp — nearly all Colombians do.
Calling Colombian diaspora in the US
WhatsApp — most Colombian-Americans keep WhatsApp as their primary messaging app. It's how they stay connected with family back home. You won't even need international calling.
Tips for Calling Colombia
- Same time zone as New York — Colombia uses COT (UTC-5), which matches US Eastern Standard Time year-round. Colombia doesn't observe daylight saving, so during US summer (EDT), Colombia is 1 hour behind. This makes scheduling calls incredibly easy
- WhatsApp is king — with over 35 million users, WhatsApp is used for everything from personal calls to booking hair appointments to ordering from local restaurants. Your Colombian contacts already use it
- The 2021 numbering change matters — Colombia unified all numbers to 10 digits. Old-style 7-digit numbers no longer work. If you have saved numbers from before 2021, add the area prefix (601 for Bogota, 604 for Medellin, etc.)
- Internet quality varies — major cities (Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla) have reliable 4G. Smaller towns and rural areas may have weaker connections. If WhatsApp calls drop, try a voice-only call instead of video
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype to call Colombia, switch to BubblyPhone (from $0.03/min), Google Voice ($0.01/min), or WhatsApp (free)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Colombia for free from the US?
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Did Colombia change its phone numbers?
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Call Colombia for $0.03/min
Open BubblyPhone in your browser and dial +57. No app needed.
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