How to Call Colombia from the United States in 2026: Guide and Rates

To call Colombia from the United States, dial the US exit code (011), followed by the country code for Colombia (+57) and the 10-digit mobile number that usually starts with 3. The rate with twin-phone is $0.03–$0.06 per minute to Colombian mobiles.

Key Facts for Your Call

• International code: +57 for Colombia.
• Number format: 10 digits starting with the number 3 (example: +57 321 1234567).
• Rate: $0.03–$0.06 per minute to mobiles and $0.11 to landlines using twin-phone, shown before every call connects.
• Time difference: Colombia operates under the UTC-5 time zone year-round. This is equivalent to US Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the winter, and one hour behind during US daylight saving time in the summer.

The cheapest per-minute way to call Colombia from the United States is Google Voice, at $0.01 per minute (checked 27 September 2026), if you have a US number to register with. A browser-based dialer like twin-phone charges $0.03–$0.06 per minute to Colombian mobiles and needs no US number. Both avoid expensive plans from traditional US carriers that charge significantly higher rates for direct international calls.

Following the permanent retirement of Skype in May 2025, many people who frequently called family in Colombia were left without a direct, affordable option. Traditional mobile carriers in the United States continue to charge significantly higher international long-distance rates unless you sign up for an expensive special plan.

The recommended alternative is twin-phone. This system works entirely from your web browser, eliminating the need to download heavy applications, purchase physical prepaid cards, or swap SIM cards. You only need internet access and a balance in your account to start dialing immediately.

A call to mobile phones in Colombia costs $0.03–$0.06 per minute through the twin-phone platform, and $0.11 to landlines. Traditional mobile carriers in the United States apply international long-distance rates that are significantly more expensive than this option.

To see the actual savings, look at the comparison of available options in the current market for communicating with Colombian operators such as Claro, Movistar, or Tigo (competitor rates checked 27 September 2026):

Communication Method	Rate Per Minute (USD)	Access Requirements
twin-phone	$0.03–$0.06 to mobiles, $0.11 to landlines	Web browser, no installations
Google Voice	$0.01	US phone number to sign up
Traditional US Mobile Carriers	Significantly more expensive	Active monthly phone subscription
Skype (Retired in May 2025)	Not available	Globally discontinued service

This rate is billed per minute, rounded up, with no connection fees or contracts.

To dial Colombia from the United States, dial the international exit code 011 (or the + sign on mobile devices), followed by the country code +57 and the 10-digit destination number. Almost all personal numbers in Colombia are mobile and start with the number 3.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defines the standard international format for these calls in its ITU-T E.164 recommendation. To avoid mistakes, follow these simple steps:

1. Dial the + sign (or the exit code 011 if calling from a traditional US landline, according to NANPA rules).
2. Enter the country code for Colombia: 57.
3. Enter the 10-digit mobile number (for example, 321 1234567).

The complete number should look like this: +57 321 1234567.

During connection tests with Claro and Movistar users in Bogotá, dialing old local area codes for landlines often caused confusion. Since almost 100% of personal contacts in the country use 10-digit mobile lines starting with 3, the direct mobile format is the most reliable way to ensure your call connects on the first attempt.

twin-phone surpasses traditional carrier options by offering calls to Colombian mobiles for $0.03–$0.06 per minute directly from the browser, without requiring heavy application installations or SIM card swaps. Traditional US carriers charge significantly higher rates for the same voice service.

Unlike other services that require complex configurations or dedicated hardware purchases, this solution allows you to make outbound calls from any computer or smartphone with internet access. The web dialer interface connects directly to the Colombian telephone network, ensuring excellent audio quality when communicating with Claro, Movistar, or Tigo networks.

Consider also the time zone factor. Colombia operates under the America/Bogota time zone (UTC-5) year-round. It does not observe daylight saving time. This means that during the US winter, the time in Colombia matches Eastern Standard Time (EST) exactly. In the summer, Colombia is one hour behind Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Planning your calls with this detail in mind will prevent you from calling family members or business partners at inconvenient times.