How to Call Cancun from US
How to Call a Landline in Cancun, Mexico
Calling a Cancun landline from the United States (USA) is straightforward. Follow this format:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Mexico's country code: 52
- Dial the Cancun area code: 998
- Dial the 7-digit local phone number: [Local Number]
To call a landline number in Cancun, like 123-4567, you would dial: 011 52 998 1234567.
Mexican landline numbers are typically 10 digits long in total (Area Code + Local Number) after the country code (52). Cancun uses the 3-digit area code 998 followed by a 7-digit local number.
Dialing Cancun landline:
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Cancun, Mexico
Important Update: As of August 2019, the dialing format for Mexican mobile numbers from abroad changed. You no longer need to add a '1' after the country code.
To call a Mexican mobile phone (including those in Cancun) from the USA:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Mexico's country code: 52
- Dial the 10-digit mobile number (this includes the area code like 998, followed by the local mobile digits): [10-digit Mobile Number]
If the mobile number in Cancun is listed locally as 998-123-4567, you dial: 011 52 9981234567.
Simply dial 011 + 52 + [10-digit mobile number]. The 10-digit number usually consists of the 3-digit area code (e.g., 998 for Cancun) plus the 7-digit subscriber number.
Dialing Cancun mobile:
Mexican Area Codes (Major Cities & Cancun)
Mexico uses 2 or 3-digit area codes. Cancun's area code is 998. When calling from the USA, dial 011 + 52 + Area Code + Local Number. The total number of digits after '52' (Area Code + Local Number) is always 10.
| City / Region | Area Code (Dial after 52) | Total Digits (Area Code + Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Cancun | 998 | 10 (3+7) |
| Mexico City | 55 / 56 | 10 (2+8) |
| Guadalajara | 33 | 10 (2+8) |
| Monterrey | 81 | 10 (2+8) |
| Tijuana | 664 / 663 | 10 (3+7) |
| Acapulco | 744 | 10 (3+7) |
| Puebla | 222 / 221 | 10 (3+7) |
| Playa del Carmen | 984 | 10 (3+7) |
| Puerto Vallarta | 322 | 10 (3+7) |
| Cabo San Lucas | 624 | 10 (3+7) |
Mobile Phone Networks in Mexico
As mentioned, calling a Mexican mobile number from the USA now follows the same format as landlines: 011 + 52 + 10-digit mobile number. The '1' prefix is no longer used.
The 10-digit mobile number includes the area code. For example, a Cancun mobile number is 998 XXX XXXX.
Major mobile network operators in Mexico include:
- Telcel (América Móvil)
- AT&T Mexico
- Movistar (Telefónica)
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is active, meaning a number's prefix doesn't always indicate the current operator.
Time Difference in Cancun
Cancun is located in the state of Quintana Roo, which is in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone (UTC-5).
Crucially, Quintana Roo (including Cancun) does NOT observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
This means the time difference between Cancun and the United States (USA) varies depending on whether the US is on Standard Time or DST (approx. mid-March to early November):
During US Standard Time (approx. early November to mid-March):
- Cancun time is the same as US Eastern Time (ET / EST).
- Cancun is 1 hour ahead of US Central Time (CT / CST).
- Cancun is 2 hours ahead of US Mountain Time (MT / MST).
- Cancun is 3 hours ahead of US Pacific Time (PT / PST).
During US Daylight Saving Time (approx. mid-March to early November):
- Cancun is 1 hour behind US Eastern Time (ET / EDT).
- Cancun time is the same as US Central Time (CT / CDT).
- Cancun is 1 hour ahead of US Mountain Time (MT / MDT).
- Cancun is 2 hours ahead of US Pacific Time (PT / PDT).
Always double-check the current time difference before making a call, especially during the US DST transition periods.
Mexico's Phone System
Mexico has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in tourist areas like Cancun. Mobile phone usage is widespread, with extensive coverage from major providers like Telcel, AT&T, and Movistar. 4G/LTE is common, and 5G is being rolled out. Landlines are still used, especially by businesses. Internet access and VoIP services (like WhatsApp calling) are readily available in Cancun.
The country unified its dialing plan in 2019, eliminating various prefixes (like 01, 044, 045) for domestic calls and simplifying international dialing to mobiles by removing the '1' prefix.
Best Times to Call Cancun
Cancun is in the Eastern Standard Time zone (UTC-5) and does not observe DST.
Consider these general guidelines when calling Cancun from the USA:
- From US East Coast (ET): Call during your standard business/daytime hours. Cancun is either the same time or 1 hour behind you.
- From US Central Time (CT): Call during your standard business/daytime hours. Cancun is either 1 hour ahead or the same time as you.
- From US Mountain Time (MT): Aim for your morning or early afternoon (e.g., 9 AM - 3 PM MT) to catch Cancun during their afternoon/early evening. Cancun is 1-2 hours ahead of you.
- From US West Coast (PT): Call in your morning (e.g., 9 AM - 1 PM PT) to reach Cancun during their afternoon. Cancun is 2-3 hours ahead of you.
Typical business hours in Mexico are often 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time, potentially with a longer lunch break ('siesta') in the mid-afternoon, though this is less common in tourist hubs like Cancun. Check the current time difference and be mindful of potential local holidays.
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Enter the number in Cancun using the international format (after PIN):
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