Area codes
Peruvian area codes for each region (national subdivision) are 2 digits long except for Lima and Callao. On 1 March 2003 new codes were established.
The following is a list of the area codes in Peru:[1]
Mobile phone calls within Peru (Mobile Virtual Area)
From September 4, 2010, a national Mobile Virtual Area[2] was created meaning that all mobile numbers in Peru are non-geographical (not attached to any geographical region but instead to the new MVA). In addition to that all mobile numbers across the country turned to nine digits long: 9xx xxx xxx.[3]
The following instructions are valid across the country:[4]
Calls from mobile to mobile
9xx xxx xxx (just dial the 9-digit number)
Calls from mobile to landline
0 + area code + phone number
Example on how to call to Piura: 0 + 73 + xxxxxx
Calls from fixed line to mobile
9xx xxx xxx (just dial the 9-digit number)
Domestic calls within Peru
Calls from fixed line to landline
Call to a number in the same area: just dial the phone number
Call to a number in another area (domestic long distance): 0 + area code + phone number.
International long distance
Calling Peru from abroad
Calling a fixed line
+51 + area code + phone number
Where the plus sign (+) represents the international access code of the country you are calling from.
From North America: 011 + 51 + area code + phone number
Example:
- Calling a fixed line in Lima: 011 51 1 1234567
- Calling a fixed line in Cusco: 011 51 84 123456
- Calling a fixed line in Machu Picchu: 011 51 84 123456
From Europe or most APAC countries: 00 + 51 + area code + phone number
Calling a mobile number
In Peru, a cell-phone number starts with a 9.
+51 9XX XXX XXX (9-digit mobile number)
The mobile virtual area eliminates the use of area code for mobile numbers.
Calling abroad from Peru
In Peru, when making an international call you may choose a carrier for international calls different from your usual carrier/provider according to the rates carriers offer to attract callers. This system is known as "call by call" (in Spanish "Llamada por llamada") as each call can be made with a different carrier and is available to both fixed lines and mobile phones. Each carrier uses a 4-digit prefix (format 19XX).
International dialing format
This is the standard format in Peru for making calls abroad from fixed lines and mobile phones:
19XX + 00 + country code + area code + phone number
Carriers:
- Americatel: 1977[5]
- Claro: 1912[6]
- IDT: 1914[7]
- Convergia: 1960
- Movistar: 1911[8]
- Entel: 1990 (valid only for Entel customers)
- Bitel: 1968
It is mandatory to choose a 19XX carrier when calling internationally from a fixed line.
If you are calling internationally from a mobile phone you have the option not to use the 19XX prefix. You may dial starting with the "+" symbol
+country code + area code + phone number
and the international call will go through your provider's network.
Example calls
From Peru to USA/Canada:
- From fixed line or mobile phone: 19XX + 00 + 1 + area code + phone number
- From mobile phone (2° alternative): +1 + area code + phone number (your call will go through your usual provider's network)
