The +591 country code is for Bolivia. If you've received a call starting with +591 or need to reach someone in La Paz, Santa Cruz, or Cochabamba, this is your guide. Bolivia sits in central South America, bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Its phone system uses 8-digit numbers with single-digit area codes for each major city.
Quick answer: The +591 country code belongs to Bolivia. Phone numbers have 8 digits: a single-digit area code (2 for La Paz, 3 for Santa Cruz, 4 for Cochabamba) followed by 7 digits. Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7. Bolivia has no trunk prefix.
How to call Bolivia: quick reference
The format depends on where you're calling from. If your phone supports the + symbol, dial +591 and the number. From landlines, use your country's exit code first.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 00-591-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +591 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-591-[local number] |
| Spain | 00-591-[local number] |
| Brazil | 00-591-[local number] |
| Chile | 00-591-[local number] |
Understanding Bolivia phone numbers
Bolivia uses 8-digit phone numbers. The first digit is the area code for landlines or a mobile prefix (6 or 7) for cell phones.
Landline numbers
Landlines use single-digit area codes. A La Paz landline: +591 2 XXX XXXX (area code 2, then 7 digits).
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7, followed by 7 more digits. Format: +591 6XXX XXXX or +591 7XXX XXXX. The second digit often indicates the carrier.
Area codes by city
| City/Region | Area code |
|---|---|
| La Paz | 2 |
| Oruro | 2 |
| Potosí | 2 |
| Santa Cruz | 3 |
| Beni | 3 |
| Pando | 3 |
| Cochabamba | 4 |
| Chuquisaca (Sucre) | 4 |
| Tarija | 4 |
Mobile carriers in Bolivia
Bolivia has three main mobile operators. State-owned Entel dominates, but Tigo and Viva compete on price and urban coverage.
Entel (prefixes 71, 72, 76)
State-owned since nationalization in 2008. Largest subscriber base and best rural coverage, especially in highland areas.
Tigo (prefixes 70, 75, 79)
Owned by Millicom. Strong in Santa Cruz and urban lowland areas. Popular with younger users for data plans.
Viva (prefixes 60, 68, 69)
Smallest of the three. Competes on price with cheap prepaid options. Coverage weaker outside cities.
Don't confuse +591 with nearby codes
Bolivia's +591 can get confused with neighboring South American codes, especially the 59X range.
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +591 | Bolivia | This guide |
| +595 | Paraguay | Similar 59X pattern |
| +598 | Uruguay | Similar 59X pattern |
| +51 | Peru | Northern neighbor, just two digits |
| +54 | Argentina | Southern neighbor |
| +55 | Brazil | Eastern neighbor |
| +56 | Chile | Western neighbor |
The most common mix-up is +591 (Bolivia) with +51 (Peru). Check whether there are two digits or three after the plus sign.
Time zone considerations
Bolivia is on UTC-4 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | +1 hour | 9 AM - 5 PM EST |
| US West Coast (PST) | +4 hours | 6 AM - 2 PM PST |
| UK (GMT) | -4 hours | 1 PM - 9 PM GMT |
| Central Europe (CET) | -5 hours | 2 PM - 10 PM CET |
| Argentina (ART) | -1 hour | 10 AM - 6 PM ART |
| Brazil (BRT) | -1 hour | 10 AM - 6 PM BRT |
Note: During Northern Hemisphere summer, the US is closer to Bolivia's time (same as EST during EDT).
Communication in Bolivia
Business hours
Most businesses run Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, then 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The midday break is common. Banks close around 4 PM. Saturday mornings are half-days for shops; Sundays are quiet except in tourist areas.
WhatsApp and messaging
WhatsApp is how most Bolivians communicate. Small businesses take orders via WhatsApp. Older people and rural areas still prefer voice calls since data is expensive.
Language
Spanish is the main language, but Bolivia recognizes 36 official languages. Quechua and Aymara are widely spoken in the highlands; Guaraní in the eastern lowlands. Business calls in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba are typically in Spanish.
Network quality
4G works in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba. Rural areas and the Altiplano often drop to 3G or 2G. Amazon regions have big coverage gaps. Data is slow and not cheap.
The Bolivia diaspora
About 700,000 Bolivians live outside the country, around 6% of the population. Most left for work.
Argentina (350,000+)
Buenos Aires and northern provinces like Jujuy and Salta. It's close, the language is the same, and there are existing Bolivian neighborhoods. Common work: agriculture, textiles, construction.
Spain (200,000+)
Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Migration surged in the early 2000s before Spain's crisis. Many Bolivian women worked in domestic service and elder care.
Brazil (50,000+)
São Paulo has a large Bolivian community, mostly in the textile industry. Working conditions have been controversial, with reports of exploitation in garment workshops.
Chile (30,000+)
Northern Chile, especially around Iquique and Arica. Historical border disputes add complexity to the relationship, but economic migration continues.
United States (100,000+)
Virginia (especially the DC suburbs), New York, and Florida. Many came on tourist visas and overstayed; regularization is difficult.
Dialing examples
Calling a landline in La Paz
To reach a landline number 2-234-5678 in La Paz from the US:
- From a mobile: +591 2 234 5678
- From a landline: 011-591-2-234-5678
Calling a mobile number
To reach an Entel mobile 7123-4567 from Argentina:
- From a mobile: +591 7123 4567
- From a landline: 00-591-7123-4567
Calling Santa Cruz
To reach a business at 3-345-6789 from Spain:
- From a mobile: +591 3 345 6789
- From a landline: 00-591-3-345-6789
Calling from within Bolivia
Bolivia has no trunk prefix. Dial the full 8-digit number:
- La Paz landline: 2-234-5678
- Mobile: 7123-4567
- Between cities: same format, no prefix needed
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
Bolivia has no trunk prefix. Unlike many countries where you dial 0 before the area code domestically, Bolivia uses the same 8-digit format everywhere. Don't add a 0.
Confusing +591 with +51 (Peru)
Peru is +51, Bolivia is +591. If your call connects to someone speaking Spanish but the area codes don't match, check if you dialed two or three digits after the plus sign.
Wrong number of digits
Bolivia numbers are always 8 digits. The first digit is the area code (2, 3, or 4 for landlines) or mobile prefix (6 or 7). If you have 9 or 10 digits, something's wrong.
Altitude affecting call quality
La Paz sits at 3,640m (11,940 ft). High-altitude areas often have weaker cell signals and infrastructure challenges. If calls drop, it may be the terrain, not your dialing.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +591 country code?
Bolivia. Any international number starting with +591 is Bolivian.
How many digits are in a Bolivia phone number?
8 digits. First digit is area code (landline) or carrier prefix (mobile), followed by 7 digits.
Does Bolivia have a trunk prefix?
No. Bolivia uses the same 8-digit format for local and long-distance calls. No leading 0 needed.
How do I know if a Bolivia number is mobile or landline?
Mobile numbers start with 6 or 7. Landlines start with 2 (La Paz region), 3 (Santa Cruz region), or 4 (Cochabamba region).
What time is it in Bolivia?
UTC-4 year-round. Bolivia doesn't use daylight saving time. Same as US Eastern Time during winter; 1 hour behind during summer.
Can I text a Bolivia number?
Yes, SMS works. WhatsApp is more common and cheaper for most Bolivians.
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