How to Call Mexico from Canada

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 7, 2022 References

While placing a long distance international call to Mexico from Canada can feel scary, it is easy when you know how to dial the right calling code. This wikiHow article will teach you how to call a cell phone or landline in Mexico from Canada on a phone, through the Internet, through an app, or via video chat.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Dialing the Number

1
Dial 011, the exit code to place a call outside of Canada. If you’re calling from a landline in Canada, you have to first dial the exit code to make an international call. For Canada and the US, the exit code is 011. You won’t be able to call Mexico, or make any international calls, without first inputting the exit code.^{[1]
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- The exit code for a cell phone is the “+” symbol. You must dial this first before inputting any other numbers.
2
Press 52, the country calling code for Mexico. After you’ve dialed the exit code to place a call outside of Canada, you need to enter the country code to call Mexico, which is 52. Inputting the country code prepares your phone to call a Mexican phone number. The wrong code could result in your call failing or you could end up calling the wrong country.^{[2]
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- If you dial the wrong country calling code, hang up and try again, starting with the exit code for Canada (011).
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3
Input the area code for the region in Mexico that you’re calling. Mexico is divided into many telephone regions, each with their own area code. Some regions have a 2 digit area code, but most have a 3 digit area code. You must first enter the area code of the region you plan to call before you dial the rest of the phone number.^{[3]
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- Cell phones in Mexico will always have a 1 as the area code.
4
Enter the Mexican phone number after the area code. After you’ve dialed the exit code (011 or + for cell phones), the country code (52), and the area code, you can enter in the rest of the phone number to connect your call. Mexican phone numbers have 8 digits that follow the area code, and they are organized as 2 groups of 4. Wait a few moments for your call to go through.^{[4]
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Sample Phone Call from Canada to Chihuahua, Mexico

Dial 011 52 614 1234 5678: The “011” is the exit code for Canada, “52” is the country code for Mexico, “614” is the area code for Chihuahua, and the remaining 8 digits are the specific phone number you are calling.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Choosing a Calling Method

1
Contact your phone service to find the basic rates for international calls. Most phone companies do not offer free international calls from a landline or cell phone if you are not part of a calling plan that includes them. Instead, they often charge basic rates to make a call out of the country, which can range from $1 a minute to $10 a minute. Before you make a call from Canada to Mexico, you should find out the rates so you can get an idea of how much the call will cost.^{[5]
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Federal Communications Commission
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
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- Call your phone service provider or go online to find out the basic rates.
- Cell phones can also rack up additional charges to call a landline in another country.
- Consider getting a calling plan that includes free or discounted rates to call Mexico from Canada if you plan to make regular international calls.
2
Call a cell phone in Mexico to avoid expensive charges. Generally, cell phone companies do not charge the owner of the cell phone for an international call if they receive the call. If the person you are trying to call in Mexico has a cell phone, call that number instead of a landline. You could save a lot of money by not having to pay the basic rates your phone company would charge you to call a landline in Mexico.^{[6]
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- Cell phones in Mexico have “1” as the area code.
3
Use a calling card instead of your phone service to place calls to Mexico. A calling card allows you to make international calls for a much cheaper rate than the basic rates offered by phone companies. There are many prepaid calling cards to choose from, but you need to be sure you select one that can make calls to Mexico. You can find them for purchase at convenience stores, pharmacies, department stores, and large chain stores. Review the terms and fees on the packaging and check the per-minute rate for making calls to Mexico to make sure you are getting the best rate for your needs.^{[7]
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- If there is an expiration date, be sure you will use the card before it expires before you buy it.
- Call the access number on the card, enter your PIN, and dial the rest of the phone number, starting with the exit code and country code to place your call.
- Keep track of your time so you know how much you have left on your prepaid card.
- Many calling cards allow you to check your balance and add additional funds by calling or going online and using your debit or credit card.
Tip: Just because one prepaid calling card is cheaper does not mean it’s the best! Compare the rates and terms of different cards.
4
Place a call to Mexico using VoIP for a cheaper option for international calls. There are many phone companies that use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to place international calls. Companies like Vonage and Lingo use the internet to connect calls, and allow you to place calls to Mexico from Canada for a much cheaper rate than the basic rates offered by traditional phone companies. Because the call is placed over the internet, you can call from a computer, an app on a smartphone connected to the internet, and even a traditional phone line.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
Federal Communications Commission
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for regulating radio, television, and satellite, and phone communications
Go to source}
- Landlines require a special VoIP adapter.
- If you are calling a phone number in Mexico from Canada, you will need to dial the country code (34) before you enter the phone number. You do not need to dial an exit code.
5
Use an app on a smartphone to make free calls to Mexico. You can download an application to your smartphone that allows you to place free calls to Mexican phone numbers rather than use your phone service provider and be charged basic rates. Google Voice, WhatsApp, and Skype are a few options that many people use to make free calls. Some apps may have a fee to download them, but will then allow you to place calls as long as you are connected to the internet.^{[9]
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- Some apps only allow you to contact other people using the same app and cannot be used to call cell phones or landlines.
- If you are using an app to call a cell phone or landline in Mexico, you will need to dial the exit code for Canada (011) and the country calling code for Mexico (52) before you dial the area code and phone number.
- Facebook and other social media platforms, allow you to call other people by using their application to call another user’s profile.
6
Make a video call to Mexico to Canada for free. Most smartphones have the ability to place video calls for free if the phone is connected to the internet. There are also video chat services like Skype or Zoom that allow you to make free calls to any number in Mexico that can also video chat. You can use a smartphone or a computer with a webcam to use a video calling service to make a video call to Mexico.^{[10]
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- Video call apps like Skype and Facebook do not require you to enter an exit code, but you will need to enter the country code for Mexico (52) before dialing the number.