How to Call Mexico from the US in 2026: Rates, +52 Format and the Cheapest Way

Mexico is the most-called international destination from the United States, thanks to deep cultural ties, shared borders, and millions of families with connections on both sides. Whether you are reaching a relative in Mexico City, coordinating with a supplier in Monterrey, or checking in with friends in Guadalajara, this guide explains exactly how to call Mexico from the US, including the simplified dialing rules that took effect in 2019.

Quick Reference: Dialing Mexico from the US

The basic dialing format for calling Mexico from the United States is:

From a landline: 011 + 52 + 10-digit number

From a mobile phone: +52 + 10-digit number

Example (Mexico City): 011 52 55 1234 5678 or +52 55 1234 5678

Example (mobile): 011 52 55 1234 5678 or +52 55 1234 5678

Since 2019, Mexico eliminated the old requirement to dial "1" before mobile numbers. Now, all Mexican phone numbers, both landline and mobile, are dialed the same way: country code + 10-digit number.

Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions

How to call a landline in Mexico

1. Dial the exit code: Enter 011 from a US landline, or use the + symbol on your mobile phone.
2. Enter the country code: Dial 52 for Mexico.
3. Enter the 10-digit number: This includes the area code (2 or 3 digits) followed by the local number.

A complete call to a landline in Mexico City would look like: 011 52 55 XXXX XXXX or +52 55 XXXX XXXX.

How to call a mobile phone in Mexico

The process is identical to calling a landline. Mexico's 2019 numbering reform unified the dialing format, so you no longer need to insert a "1" before mobile numbers.

1. Dial 011 (or use +).
2. Dial 52.
3. Dial the full 10-digit number.

Example: +52 33 1234 5678 (a mobile in Guadalajara).

Using the + symbol

On any smartphone, hold the "0" key or tap + directly. This universal prefix replaces the 011 exit code and works from any country. For a full explanation of international dialing prefixes, see our complete international calling guide.

Mexico Area Codes and Major Cities

City	Area Code	Example Number
Mexico City	55	+52 55 XXXX XXXX
Guadalajara	33	+52 33 XXXX XXXX
Monterrey	81	+52 81 XXXX XXXX
Tijuana	664	+52 664 XXX XXXX

Cities with 2-digit area codes have 8-digit local numbers, while cities with 3-digit area codes have 7-digit local numbers. The total is always 10 digits after the country code.

Best Time to Call Mexico from the US

Mexico spans multiple time zones, from UTC-6 to UTC-8:

• Central Time (UTC-6): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey. Same as US Central Time.
• Mountain Time (UTC-7): Chihuahua, Mazatlan. Same as US Mountain Time.
• Pacific Time (UTC-8): Tijuana, Mexicali. Same as US Pacific Time.

This makes Mexico one of the easiest countries to call from the US in terms of scheduling. Most major Mexican cities share the same timezone as their closest US counterparts.

For personal calls, evening hours work well since time zones closely align. For business calls, standard business hours (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM) overlap almost perfectly between the two countries, especially for central and eastern US callers reaching Mexico City.

How Much Does It Cost to Call Mexico?

How you call	Typical cost per minute	30-minute call	Notes
AT&T / Verizon pay-per-use	$0.50 – $3.00+	$15 – $90	Highest cost. Applies unless Mexico is bundled in your plan.
Unlimited plan with Mexico included	$0.00	$0.00	Many US plans now bundle Mexico, so check before paying for anything else.
Calling cards	$0.02 – $0.10	$0.60 – $3	Watch connection fees, rounding, and expiry on unused balance.
Google Voice	~$0.01 landline / ~$0.02 mobile	$0.30 – $0.60	Requires a US number and a Google account.
Browser VoIP (BoraPhone)	From ~$0.01 landline / ~$0.02 mobile	Under $1	No app, no contract. First call free.

Check your existing plan first. Mexico is the most-called international destination from the US, and several major carriers now include unlimited calls to Mexico in standard unlimited plans. If yours does, that is your cheapest option and you do not need anything else. If it does not, or you are calling from a laptop, a prepaid line or while travelling, VoIP is roughly 100x cheaper than pay-per-use rates.

Check the live Mexico rate page for exact per-minute pricing, or see our international calling rates report for a wider comparison.

Editor's Tip: For the best balance of quality and price without downloading any software, we recommend using BoraPhone to make international calls from your browser.

Tips for Calling Mexico

• Forget the old "1" rule. Before 2019, you had to dial 1 after the country code when calling Mexican mobile numbers. This is no longer required. Simply dial +52 followed by the 10-digit number for both landlines and mobiles.
• Check if your carrier includes Mexico. Some US carriers like T-Mobile include calls to Mexico in their standard plans. Verify your plan details before paying for a separate service.
• Use WhatsApp for free calls. WhatsApp is the dominant messaging platform in Mexico. If your contact uses it, you can make free voice and video calls over Wi-Fi or data. Learn more about free international calls.
• Take advantage of aligned time zones. Mexico's time zones mirror those of the US, making it convenient to call during normal waking hours without complex time calculations.

FAQ

Do I still need to dial 1 before a Mexican mobile number?

No. Mexico eliminated this requirement in 2019. All Mexican numbers, mobile and landline, are now dialed the same way: +52 followed by a 10-digit number. If you find old instructions online that mention dialing 1 after the country code for mobiles, they are outdated.

Is calling Mexico from the US considered an international call?

Yes, calls from the US to Mexico are international calls and subject to international rates unless your carrier specifically includes Mexico in your plan. Some US carriers offer plans that treat Mexico as a domestic destination, so check your plan details.

What is the cheapest way to call Mexico from the US?

VoIP services like BoraPhone offer rates as low as one to two cents per minute. If both you and the recipient use WhatsApp or a similar app, calls over Wi-Fi are completely free. For calls to actual Mexican phone numbers, browser-based VoIP is typically the cheapest option.

Ready to call Mexico without the high fees? Try BoraPhone today for crystal-clear international calls directly from your browser, with no downloads required.