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Costa Rica Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
Quick Reference
Country: Costa Rica
Country Code: +506
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: None (Direct dialing for all numbers)
Number Plan Type: Closed
Overview
Costa Rica utilizes an 8-digit closed telephone numbering plan. The first digit indicates the service type, such as landline or mobile. This guide offers a detailed overview of Costa Rica's telephone numbering system, including formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory guidelines.
Number Formats
Costa Rica's phone numbers are structured as follows:
Service Type
Format
Example
Regex
Landline
2XXX-XXXX
2234-5678
^2\d{7}$
Mobile
8XXX-XXXX
8501-2345
^8\d{7}$
VoIP
21XX-XXXX
2101-2345
^21\d{6}$
Toll-Free
800-XXXXXXX
800-1234567
^800\d{7}$
Premium Rate
90[059]-XXXXXXX
900-1234567
^90[059]\d{7}$
Emergency Services
911
911
^911$
Special Services
1XXX
1123
^1\d{3}$
Detailed Number Structure
Country Code: +506
Subscriber Number Length: 8 digits
Prefixes:
Landline: Begins with '2'
Mobile: Begins with '8'
VoIP: Begins with '21'
Toll-Free: Begins with '800'
Premium Rate: Begins with '900', '905', '909'
Emergency Services: 911
Special Services: 1XXX
Regular Expressions for Validation
Landline: ^2\d{7}$
Mobile: ^8\d{7}$
VoIP: ^21\d{6}$
Toll-Free: ^800\d{7}$
Premium Rate: ^90[059]\d{7}$
Emergency Services: ^911$
Special Services: ^1\d{3}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
Landline to Landline: Dial the 8-digit number directly.
Landline to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.
International Calls
Outgoing: Dial 00 (international access code) + 506 (Costa Rica country code) + 8-digit local number.
Incoming: Dial +506 followed by the 8-digit local number.
Number Portability
Costa Rica supports number portability, allowing users to keep their phone numbers when changing service providers. This system enhances competition among telecom operators and meets the growing demand for mobile services.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Operator
Service Type
Number Range
GrupoICE (Kölbi)
Landline
22XX-XXXX
Mobile
8XXX-XXXX
Liberty
Mobile
6XXX-XXXX
Claro
Mobile
7XXX-XXXX
Tuyo
Mobile
570X-XXXX to 571X-XXXX
MVNOs
Mobile
500X-XXXX to 504X-XXXX
Regulatory Body and Number Management
Regulatory Body: Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL)
Responsibilities: SUTEL manages phone number allocation and compliance with ITU-T recommendations and national regulations.
Costa Rica adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard for international telephone numbering, ensuring global uniqueness and facilitating international dialing.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
2008: Transitioned to the current 8-digit numbering system to support the increase in mobile users and 3G services.
Future Changes: No announced changes to the numbering plan as of the latest updates.
Technical Considerations
For Developers and System Administrators
Number Validation: Use regex patterns for validating Costa Rican phone numbers in applications.
Number Formatting: Store and display phone numbers in the E.164 format for consistency.
Portability Handling: Design systems to accommodate number portability, ensuring seamless provider transitions.
Special Cases: Handle special number formats like toll-free, premium rate, and emergency services appropriately in automated systems.
For the latest on telecommunications regulations and numbering plans in Costa Rica, visit the SUTEL Official Website.