How To Call El Salvador From The US: Updated For 2025
Quick Answer
To call El Salvador from the United States:
- Landline:
011 + 503 + 2XXX XXXX(8-digit number, typically starting with 2) - Mobile:
011 + 503 + (6XXX XXXX or 7XXX XXXX)(8-digit number, typically starting with 6 or 7)
Examples:
- For an El Salvador landline (e.g., in San Salvador):
011 + 503 + 22XX XXXX - For an El Salvador mobile phone (e.g., starting with 7):
011 + 503 + 7XXX XXXX
El Salvador is on Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-6, and does not observe daylight saving. This is typically 1-2 hours behind US Eastern Time (ET), depending on whether the US is on EDT or EST.
How to Dial El Salvador from the US
How to Call a Landline in El Salvador
To call an El Salvadoran landline from the United States, follow these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial El Salvador's country code: Next, key in
503. - Step 3 – Dial the 8-digit local phone number: El Salvadoran landline numbers are 8 digits long and typically begin with the digit
2. No separate area code is dialed after the country code.
For example, to call an El Salvadoran landline number 2212 3456, you would dial: 011 503 2212 3456
How to Call a Mobile Phone in El Salvador
Calling an El Salvadoran mobile phone from the US involves these steps:
- Step 1 – Dial the US exit code: Start by dialing
011. - Step 2 – Dial El Salvador's country code: Next, key in
503. - Step 3 – Dial the 8-digit mobile number: El Salvadoran mobile numbers are 8 digits long and typically begin with the digit
6or7.
For example, if the El Salvadoran mobile number is 7712 3456, you would dial: 011 503 7712 3456 from the US.
Understanding El Salvadoran Phone Numbers
El Salvadoran phone numbers are structured with the country code +503. Following the country code, all local phone numbers (both landline and mobile) are 8 digits long. There are no separate city or area codes that you need to dial *after* the country code.
Landline Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 503 + 2XXX XXXX - Landline numbers in El Salvador are 8 digits long and consistently start with the digit
2. - The digits following the initial
2can sometimes indicate a general region, but this is part of the 8-digit number itself. For example:- Numbers starting
21XX XXXX,22XX XXXX,25XX XXXXare often for the Metropolitan Area (San Salvador). - Numbers starting
23XX XXXX,29XX XXXXare often for the Central Area. - Numbers starting
24XX XXXX,28XX XXXXare often for the Western Area. - Numbers starting
26XX XXXX,27XX XXXXare often for the Eastern Area.
- Numbers starting
- You always dial the full 8-digit number after
011 + 503.
Mobile Numbers
- Format from US:
011 + 503 + (6XXX XXXX or 7XXX XXXX) - Mobile numbers in El Salvador are 8 digits long.
- They typically start with the digit
6or7.
El Salvadoran Area/Regional Indicators (for Landlines)
While you don't dial a separate area code after the country code +503, the first few digits of the 8-digit landline number can indicate the general region. All landline numbers start with 2.
| Region | Typical Starting Digits of 8-digit Number (after +503) |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan Area (e.g., San Salvador) | 21XX XXXX, 22XX XXXX, 25XX XXXX |
| Central Area | 23XX XXXX, 29XX XXXX |
| Western Area | 24XX XXXX, 28XX XXXX |
| Eastern Area | 26XX XXXX, 27XX XXXX |
Remember: You dial 011 + 503 followed by the complete 8-digit El Salvadoran number.
El Salvadoran Mobile Phone Indicators
El Salvadoran mobile phone numbers are 8 digits long after the +503 country code. They are distinguished by their starting digit:
| Mobile Indicator | Format (after +503) |
|---|---|
| Numbers starting with 6 | 6XXX XXXX |
| Numbers starting with 7 | 7XXX XXXX |
*Number portability is active, so the starting digit indicates the original assignment block but may not reflect the current carrier.
Time Difference
El Salvador observes Central Standard Time (CST) year-round, which is UTC-6. El Salvador does not use Daylight Saving Time.
The time difference compared to the US East Coast (ET):
- When the US is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4, typically March to November): El Salvador is 2 hours behind ET. (e.g., 12 PM EDT is 10 AM in El Salvador).
- When the US is on Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5, typically November to March): El Salvador is 1 hour behind ET. (e.g., 12 PM EST is 11 AM in El Salvador).
El Salvador's Phone System
El Salvador's telecommunications sector has been privatized since 1997, fostering competition. Key service providers include Claro (América Móvil) and Tigo (Millicom). The country has a high mobile penetration rate, often exceeding the population count, with widespread 3G and 4G/LTE coverage. The General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) is the regulatory body overseeing the sector. While mobile services are prevalent, fixed-line teledensity is comparatively lower. The government has been working on various digitalization projects to enhance connectivity and technological adoption.
Best Times to Call
Considering the time difference (El Salvador is 1-2 hours behind US ET):
- If calling from the US ET zone, business calls are generally best made from late morning to mid-afternoon ET to align with business hours in El Salvador (typically 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST).
- For example, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET would correspond to 8:00 AM/9:00 AM - 2:00 PM/3:00 PM in El Salvador.
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Rates are subject to change. Please check the latest rates.
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Simple Steps to Call:
- Dial the local access number provided with your card.
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- Dial the full international number for El Salvador:
011 + 503 + El Salvadoran Number(8-digit number).
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