Free Call to Peru from US — $0.06/min, the Cheapest (2026)
Call Peru for just $0.06/min with BubblyPhone — half a cent per minute, THE cheapest country to call. A 60-minute call costs 30 cents. WhatsApp free option, +51 dialing guide, carrier info.
WhatsApp calls to Peru are free when both people have the app. Calling a real Peruvian mobile or landline isn't free, but it is cheap: $0.02 per minute with BubblyPhone, $1.20 for a full hour to Lima, Cusco or anywhere else in Peru. Peru's country code is +51.
Peru has strong WhatsApp adoption for free app-to-app calls, but unlike some Latin American countries, Peruvians also still use regular phone calls a lot — especially for businesses, government offices, and older family members. At two cents a minute, there's no reason not to call directly.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. WhatsApp — Peru's Communication Standard
WhatsApp is dominant in Peru, used by the vast majority of smartphone owners. Peruvians use it for personal chats, family groups, and increasingly for business. Free voice and video calls work on Peru's growing 4G network, though quality can vary in rural/highland areas.
Note: Internet quality in Peru varies significantly. Lima and major cities have solid 4G. Rural areas and highland regions may have weaker connections, making app-based calls less reliable. This is one reason regular phone calls remain important in Peru.
2. Facebook Messenger
Facebook is hugely popular in Peru, and Messenger is widely used for both messaging and calls. Many Peruvians use both WhatsApp and Messenger. Free voice and video calls.
3. FaceTime
iPhone market share in Peru is lower (~15-20%) since Android dominates. If your Peruvian contact has an iPhone, FaceTime works perfectly. But don't assume — ask first.
4. Telegram
Growing in Peru, especially among younger users and in urban areas. Free voice calls. Not yet as widespread as WhatsApp or Messenger.
Calling Peruvian Phone Numbers — Incredibly Cheap
Peru is one of the cheapest countries to call from the US. Rates are measured in fractions of a cent:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | $0.028–0.032/min | from $0.02/min | Browser, iOS, Android — no US account or number needed |
| Google Voice | $0.01/min | $0.01/min | US Google account required |
| Viber Out | $0.057/min | $0.057/min | Convenient if already on Viber |
| Rebtel | $0.06/min | $0.04/min | Unlimited plans available |
| AT&T / T-Mobile / Verizon | $1.00-3.50/min | $1.00-3.50/min | Up to 175x more expensive |
The math is staggering: BubblyPhone charges $0.02/min to Peru — that's two cents a minute. A full 60-minute call costs $1.20. Mobiles cost $0.028–0.032/min. Google Voice is cheaper at $0.01/min to Peruvian mobiles and landlines, but only if you have a US Google Voice account; BubblyPhone works from any country with just an email signup.
How to Dial Peru from the US
# From a US phone or VoIP app:
+51 + number
# Example — calling a Lima landline:
+51 1 123 4567
# Example — calling an Arequipa landline:
+51 54 12 3456
# Example — calling a Peruvian mobile:
+51 9XX XXX XXX
# Example — calling Cusco:
+51 84 12 3456
Important: Peruvian mobile numbers are 9 digits starting with 9. Lima landlines use area code 1 (7 digits after). Other cities use 2-digit area codes with 6-digit numbers. No leading 0 to drop.
Major Area Codes
- Lima: 1
- Arequipa: 54
- Cusco: 84
- Trujillo: 44
- Chiclayo: 74
- Piura: 73
- Iquitos: 65
- Huancayo: 64
Carriers & Mobile
- 9XX: All Peruvian mobiles start with 9
- Claro: Largest carrier (América Móvil), best coverage
- Movistar: Second largest (Telefónica), strong in Lima
- Entel: Third carrier, Chilean-owned, growing
- Bitel: Budget carrier (Vietnamese-owned), rapidly expanding rural coverage
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Peru
WhatsApp for daily chats (free). For older family members who prefer regular calls, BubblyPhone at $0.02/min. A 60-minute weekly call with Abuela costs $1.20. That's $62.40 for an entire year of weekly hour-long calls.
Calling a Peruvian business
BubblyPhone (from $0.02/min) — a 30-minute call to a Lima landline costs 60 cents. Google Voice ($0.01/min) is cheaper if you already have a US Google Voice account.
Peruvian-American calling home
WhatsApp for friends and younger family. BubblyPhone ($0.02/min) for landlines and relatives in areas with weaker internet. At this price, there's zero reason to worry about call costs.
Calling rural Peru or the highlands
BubblyPhone ($0.02/min) — regular phone calls are more reliable than WhatsApp in areas with weak internet. Bitel has been expanding rural coverage aggressively.
Tips for Calling Peru
- Peru is on the same time zone as Eastern US — PET (UTC-5) is the same as EST. No time zone math needed! When it's noon in New York, it's noon in Lima. Note: Peru does not observe daylight saving, so during US summer (EDT), Peru is 1 hour behind
- Regular phone calls are more common in Peru than in many Latin American countries — while WhatsApp is popular, many Peruvians (especially older generations and in rural areas) still rely heavily on regular phone calls. At $0.02/min, just call directly
- Internet quality varies dramatically — Lima has solid 4G/LTE, but in highland cities (Cusco, Huancayo, Ayacucho) and the Amazon region (Iquitos), internet can be unreliable. Regular phone calls often work when WhatsApp doesn't
- Lima area code is just "1" — one of the shortest area codes you'll encounter. Lima landlines are +51 1 + 7 digits. Other Peruvian cities use 2-digit area codes
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype for Peruvian numbers, switch to BubblyPhone ($0.02/min). At two cents a minute, it's actually cheaper than Skype ever was for Peru
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Peru for free from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call Peru?
What is the country code for Peru?
Is Peru in the same time zone as the US?
Why are calls to Peru so cheap?
Call Peru for $0.02/min — Half a Cent
Open BubblyPhone in your browser and dial +51. A full hour costs $1.20.
Try Free — Call Peru Now