How to Call Jamaica from USA
How to Call Jamaica from the USA (Landline or Mobile)
Calling Jamaica from the United States is straightforward because Jamaica is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). You dial it just like a long-distance call within the US – no international exit code (011) is needed.
The format is the same for both landlines and mobile phones in Jamaica:
- Dial 1 (the NANP country code shared by the US, Canada, and many Caribbean islands).
- Dial Jamaica's area code: 876 or 658. (Both codes cover the entire island).
- Dial the 7-digit local phone number: [Local Number]
For example, to call a number (landline or mobile) in Jamaica with the area code 876 and local number 123-4567, you would dial: 1 876 123 4567.
If the number uses the 658 area code, you'd dial: 1 658 123 4567.
Jamaican phone numbers consist of the NANP code (1), a 3-digit area code (876 or 658), and a 7-digit local number, totalling 11 digits dialed from the US.
Dialing a Jamaica number:
Jamaica Area Codes
Jamaica currently uses two area codes within the North American Numbering Plan:
- 876: The original area code for the entire island.
- 658: Introduced as an overlay code for the entire island in 2018 to provide more phone numbers.
Both area codes cover all of Jamaica. You might receive a number with either area code regardless of the specific parish or city. When dialing from the USA, simply use the 1 + Area Code (876 or 658) + 7-digit Number format.
Mobile Numbers in Jamaica
As part of the NANP, mobile phone numbers in Jamaica follow the same format as landline numbers: 1 + Area Code (876 or 658) + 7-digit Number.
You cannot distinguish between a landline and a mobile number just by looking at the number itself. The main mobile providers in Jamaica are Digicel and Flow. Number portability is active, meaning someone can keep their number even if they switch providers.
There are no separate mobile-specific prefixes to dial like in some other countries outside the NANP.
Time Difference in Jamaica
Jamaica operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST) year-round, which is UTC-5.
Crucially, Jamaica does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
This means the time difference with the United States varies depending on whether the US is on Standard Time or DST (approx. mid-March to early November):
- When the US is on Standard Time (approx. early Nov to mid-March):
- Eastern Time (EST): Same time as Jamaica (0 hours difference).
- Central Time (CST): Jamaica is 1 hour ahead.
- Mountain Time (MST): Jamaica is 2 hours ahead.
- Pacific Time (PST): Jamaica is 3 hours ahead.
- When the US is on Daylight Saving Time (approx. mid-March to early Nov):
- Eastern Time (EDT): Jamaica is 1 hour behind.
- Central Time (CDT): Same time as Jamaica (0 hours difference).
- Mountain Time (MDT): Jamaica is 1 hour ahead.
- Pacific Time (PDT): Jamaica is 2 hours ahead.
Always double-check the current time difference before calling, especially during the DST transition periods in the US.
Jamaica's Phone System
Jamaica has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, particularly for mobile services. Being part of the North American Numbering Plan simplifies calling to and from the US and Canada. Mobile penetration is extremely high, with Digicel and Flow being the dominant providers offering widespread coverage, including 4G/LTE and expanding 5G in urban areas. Fixed-line services exist but are less common for residential use compared to mobile phones. Internet access is widely available, especially in tourist areas and towns.
Best Times to Call Jamaica
Since Jamaica is on Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) and does not observe DST, the best time to call depends on the US time zone and whether the US is on DST.
Jamaican business hours are typically Monday to Friday, around 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
- From US Eastern Time (ET):
- During US Standard Time (Nov-Mar): Your 9 AM - 5 PM aligns directly with Jamaica's business hours.
- During US Daylight Time (Mar-Nov): Your 10 AM - 6 PM aligns with Jamaica's 9 AM - 5 PM business hours. Calling in your morning/early afternoon is ideal.
- From US Central Time (CT):
- During US Standard Time (Nov-Mar): Your 8 AM - 4 PM aligns with Jamaica's 9 AM - 5 PM.
- During US Daylight Time (Mar-Nov): Your 9 AM - 5 PM aligns directly with Jamaica's business hours.
- From US Pacific Time (PT):
- During US Standard Time (Nov-Mar): Your 6 AM - 2 PM aligns with Jamaica's 9 AM - 5 PM. Early morning calls are best.
- During US Daylight Time (Mar-Nov): Your 7 AM - 3 PM aligns with Jamaica's 9 AM - 5 PM. Morning calls are best.
Aiming for mid-morning to early afternoon in the caller's US time zone is usually a safe bet to reach people during Jamaican business/daytime hours.
Call Jamaica For Less With Phone Card Choice
Making calls to Jamaica from the United States using standard phone carriers can add up quickly. Using an international calling card from Phone Card Choice offers a much more economical way to connect with family, friends, or business contacts in Jamaica.
Our customers save money calling destinations across Jamaica, including Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, and numbers throughout the island, enjoying reliable connections at low rates.
Recommended Phone Cards for Jamaica
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| Price (US$) | Talk Time |
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Using our service is simple:
Dial local access number
Call the local access number provided with your card (from the USA).
Enter your PIN
Input your unique PIN when prompted.
Dial Jamaica number
After entering your PIN, dial the Jamaican number in the standard NANP format:
Format: 1 + Area Code (876 or 658) + 7-digit Number
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