how-to-call-el-salvador-from-us

How to Call El Salvador from the US: A Guide for SMBs and Startups

Learn how to call El Salvador from the US using the correct country code (+503), explore international call costs, and see how DialLink simplifies business communication.

Arina Khoziainova

Arina Khoziainova

4 minutes

4 minutes

Published: August 01, 2025

Published: August 01, 2025

Imagine you're about to connect with a partner in San Salvador or a remote team member in Santa Ana. You’re ready to dial, but then you pause — what’s the right way to call El Salvador from the United States? 

If you’re an SMB or startup managing international communication, this guide is for you. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know: the correct format, the El Salvador country code, estimated costs, and how to make professional calls without overspending. 

What’s the El Salvador Country Code? 

The country code for El Salvador is +503. That means every time you dial a phone number in El Salvador from the US, you’ll need to include 503 after the international exit code. 

This ensures your call is correctly routed to El Salvador. Whether you're reaching out to logistics teams or customer service vendors, understanding this small detail helps you avoid costly dialing errors. 

How to Call El Salvador from the US, Step by Step 

Let’s break down the process for dialing both landline and mobile numbers in El Salvador: 

For Salvadoran Landlines: 

  1. Dial 011 – This is the US exit code. 
  2. Dial 503 – The country code for El Salvador. 
  3. Dial the landline number – All landlines are 8 digits long. 

Example: If the landline number is 2223-4567, you would dial: 011-503-2223-4567. 

For Salvadoran Mobile Phones: 

  1. Dial 011 – The US exit code (or use “+” on your mobile). 
  2. Dial 503 – The country code for El Salvador. 
  3. Dial the mobile number – Also 8 digits, often beginning with 7 or 6.  

Example: For the mobile number 7123-4567, dial: 011-503-7123-4567 or +503-7123-4567 on a smartphone. 

Bonus Tip

On mobile phones, you can long-press “0” to insert a “+” symbol instead of dialing 011. 

Common El Salvador Area Codes 

El Salvador doesn’t use geographic area codes in the same way as countries like the US or Canada. Instead, all phone numbers, both mobile and landline, are 8 digits long and start with specific leading digits that indicate the type of service or region.  

Common El Salvador area code prefixes: 

PrefixTypeDetails / Region
2xxx-xxxxLandlineSan Salvador and surrounding areas
6xxx-xxxxMobileVarious mobile carriers
7xxx-xxxxMobileVarious mobile carriers
8xxx-xxxxSpecial servicesToll-free, shared-cost, or VoIP services
9xxx-xxxxGovernment / EmergencySome government-related numbers or special services

Most business communication will involve numbers starting with 2 (landlines) or 7/6 (mobile). These prefixes help identify the number type and ensure you're dialing correctly for professional calls. 

When Should SMBs Make International Calls? 

Small businesses and startups make calls to El Salvador for a variety of strategic reasons: 

  • Collaborating with offshore customer support or development teams 
  • Working with manufacturing or logistics partners 
  • Following up with regional clients, vendors, or prospects 
  • Managing bilingual operations across North and Central America 

Time zone tip: El Salvador typically operates on Central Standard Time (CST), with no daylight saving time changes making it easier to coordinate from many US locations. 

How Much Does It Cost to Call El Salvador? 

International rates vary by provider. Traditional US carriers may charge $0.50 to over $1.00 per minute, depending on your plan. 

To avoid bill shock, consider a business-grade cloud phone system like DialLink. With affordable international rates and transparent billing, DialLink helps you scale communication without scaling costs. Check the latest rates to El Salvador here. 

Make International Calls the Easy Way with DialLink 

DialLink is the AI-powered cloud phone system built for SMBs and startups. Whether you’re connecting with teams in San Miguel or clients in La Libertad, here’s why DialLink is the smarter way to call internationally: 

  • Mobile, desktop and desk phone support – Make calls from anywhere, using any device. 
  • 24/7 AI voice agents – Automatically answer calls from the Philippines, even after hours. 
  • Local & international numbers – Build a global presence with ease. 
  • Plug-and-play setup – No IT help required. 
  • Affordable, transparent rates – No hidden fees.

FAQs

How do you call an El Salvador number from the US?

Use the format: 011 (US exit code) + 503 (El Salvador country code) + local 8-digit number. Example: 011-503-7123-4567.

What is the cheapest way to call El Salvador from the US?

The most affordable way is to use a cloud-based phone system like DialLink, which offers low per-minute international rates, especially for teams making regular business calls.

What is the country code for El Salvador?

El Salvador’s country code is +503. You’ll need this after dialing the US exit code (011) when calling from the States.

How do you add a country code to a phone number?

Prefix the local number with the US exit code (011) and the country code. For example, Salvadoran number 7123-4567 becomes 011-503-7123-4567. On mobile phones, you can use +503 instead of 011-503.

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Arina Khoziainova

Content Writer at DialLink

Arina is a content writer with over 7 years of experience in the IT industry. At DialLink, she creates clear, insightful content that helps small business and startup owners simplify communication and drive growth using modern tools. With a strong focus on practical value, Arina transforms complex topics into accessible, actionable stories.

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