Guatemala Country Code (+502): Complete Dialing Guide 2026
Complete guide to calling Guatemala with country code +502. Learn Guatemala City codes, mobile prefixes (Tigo, Claro), and cheap ways to call Central America.
The Guatemala country code is +502. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Guatemala in 2026, including how to dial Guatemala City, mobile carrier prefixes (Tigo, Claro), and the cheapest ways to call Guatemala from the USA and abroad.
Quick Reference: Guatemala +502
Country Code: +502
Exit Code: 00
Phone Format: 8 digits
Capital: Guatemala City
Time Zone: CST (UTC-6)
Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
How to Call Guatemala
International Dialing Format
To call Guatemala from abroad:
+ 502 + 8-digit numberNote: Guatemala uses 8-digit numbers with no separate area codes. Landlines start with 2 (Guatemala City) or 7, 9 (other departments). Mobiles start with 3, 4, 5.
Dialing Examples
Major Cities and Departments
Guatemala is divided into 22 departments. While the country does not use area codes, landline prefixes loosely correspond to regions. Here are the major cities and their typical landline prefixes.
| City | Department | Landline Prefix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City | Guatemala | 2 | +502 2XXX XXXX |
| Quetzaltenango (Xela) | Quetzaltenango | 7 | +502 77XX XXXX |
| Escuintla | Escuintla | 7 | +502 78XX XXXX |
| Mixco | Guatemala | 2 | +502 24XX XXXX |
| Villa Nueva | Guatemala | 2 | +502 26XX XXXX |
| Coban | Alta Verapaz | 7 | +502 79XX XXXX |
| Huehuetenango | Huehuetenango | 7 | +502 77XX XXXX |
| Flores (Peten) | Peten | 7 | +502 79XX XXXX |
| Antigua Guatemala | Sacatepequez | 7 | +502 78XX XXXX |
| Chimaltenango | Chimaltenango | 7 | +502 78XX XXXX |
Guatemala Number Format
Guatemala does not use separate area codes. All phone numbers are 8 digits long, and the first digit identifies the number type and general region. This flat numbering system was adopted in 2004 when Guatemala moved from 7-digit to 8-digit numbers.
| Type | Starting Digit | Region/Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline (Guatemala City) | 2 | Guatemala City metro area | +502 2XXX XXXX |
| Mobile (Claro) | 3 | Nationwide | +502 3XXX XXXX |
| Mobile (Claro/Movistar) | 4 | Nationwide | +502 4XXX XXXX |
| Mobile (Tigo) | 5 | Nationwide | +502 5XXX XXXX |
| Special Services | 6 | Premium and special numbers | +502 6XXX XXXX |
| Landline (Departments) | 7 | Provincial landlines | +502 7XXX XXXX |
| VoIP / Other | 8 | Internet telephony | +502 8XXX XXXX |
| Landline (Departments) | 9 | Provincial landlines (Quetzaltenango, etc.) | +502 9XXX XXXX |
Mobile Carriers in Guatemala
| Carrier | Prefix | Network Type | Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo (Millicom) | 5XXX | 4G LTE / 3G | ~48% |
| Claro (America Movil) | 3XXX, 4XXX | 4G LTE / 3G | ~35% |
| Movistar (Telefonica) | 4XXX | 4G LTE / 3G | ~17% |
About the carriers: Tigo (Millicom International) is the dominant mobile operator in Guatemala with the widest coverage, including rural areas. Claro is owned by America Movil (Carlos Slim) and has strong urban coverage. Movistar, owned by Spain's Telefonica, has the smallest market share but competitive data pricing. All three carriers offer prepaid and postpaid plans.
Special & Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police (PNC) | 110 | Policia Nacional Civil |
| Fire Department | 122 / 123 | Bomberos Voluntarios / Bomberos Municipales |
| Ambulance (Red Cross) | 125 | Cruz Roja Guatemalteca |
| CONRED (Disaster) | 119 | National disaster coordination |
| Tourist Police (POLITUR) | 1500 | Assistance for tourists |
Cheapest Ways to Call Guatemala
Free app-to-app calls. WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Guatemala.
Best Times to Call Guatemala
Guatemala uses Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6 year-round. Guatemala does not observe daylight saving time.
| Your Location | Winter Offset | Summer Offset | Best Calling Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | Guatemala is -1 hour | Guatemala is -2 hours | 10 AM - 10 PM your time |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | Guatemala is +2 hours | Guatemala is +1 hour | 7 AM - 7 PM your time |
| UK (GMT/BST) | Guatemala is -6 hours | Guatemala is -7 hours | 3 PM - midnight your time |
| US Central (CST/CDT) | Same time | Guatemala is -1 hour | 9 AM - 9 PM your time |
Tip: Guatemala has a large diaspora in the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, Houston, New York, and Chicago. In winter, Guatemala matches US Central Time exactly. In summer, Guatemala is 1 hour behind US Central (CDT) because Guatemala does not observe daylight saving. Evenings and weekends are the best time to reach family members.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Old 7-digit numbers no longer working
Guatemala switched from 7-digit to 8-digit phone numbers in 2004. If you have an old Guatemala number with only 7 digits, it is no longer valid in that format. For landlines, a digit was prepended (2 for Guatemala City, 7 or 9 for departments). For mobiles, a prefix digit corresponding to the carrier was added. If you have a very old number, you may need to contact the person for their updated 8-digit number.
Cannot determine carrier from number
While the first digit generally indicates the carrier (5 = Tigo, 3 = Claro, 4 = Claro/Movistar), number portability exists in Guatemala, meaning users can switch carriers while keeping their number. The prefix is not always a reliable indicator of the current carrier. Some VoIP services charge different rates per carrier, which may affect your calling costs.
Poor coverage in rural and highland areas
Guatemala has varied terrain including volcanic highlands and dense jungle in the Peten region. Cell coverage can be limited in rural areas, particularly in the western highlands and northern lowlands. If you cannot reach someone in these areas, they may need to travel to a town with better coverage. Tigo generally has the best rural coverage among the three carriers.
Confusing Guatemala (+502) with other codes
Do not confuse Guatemala's +502 with other country codes in the 500 range. The Falkland Islands use +500, Belize uses +501, and El Salvador uses +503. These neighboring Central American countries have similar codes but are different destinations with different rates. Always verify the country code before calling.
Receiving spam or scam calls from +502 numbers
If you receive unexpected calls from +502 numbers, exercise caution. Verify the caller before returning the call, as international callback scams do exist. If you are not expecting a call from Guatemala, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message or contact you through other means.