Cancún Area Code: 998 — How to Call Cancún from the US (2026)
The area code for Cancún, Mexico is 998. Learn how to call Cancún hotels, resorts, and cell phones from the US and Canada — with dialing examples, time zone info, and tips for your trip.
Cancún, Quintana Roo · Mexico
Area Code
998
From the US / Canada
+52 998 XXX XXXX
CST / CDT
Time Zone
7 digits
Local number
10M+
Tourists/year
Cancún's Area Code Is 998
The area code (also called a LADA code in Mexico) for Cancún is 998. Whether you're calling your hotel, a tour operator, a restaurant on the Hotel Zone, or a friend in the city, every local number in Cancún and the surrounding municipality of Benito Juárez starts with 998.
Cancún receives more than 10 million international visitors per year — making it one of the most frequently dialed Mexican destinations from the US and Canada. Knowing the right dialing format before you go (or before you need to reach someone there) saves a lot of frustration.
How to Call Cancún from the US or Canada
📱 From a cell phone
+52 998 XXX XXXX
Press and hold "0" to get the "+" symbol
☎️ From a US/Canada landline
011 52 998 XXX XXXX
"011" is the US/Canada international exit code
Step by step from a smartphone
- Open your phone's keypad.
- Type +52 — Mexico's country code (hold the "0" key to get "+").
- Type 998 — Cancún's area code.
- Type the 7-digit local number of the hotel, resort, or person you're calling.
- Press call.
Full example: +52 998 848 7000 — this is how you'd dial a Cancún hotel from your US phone.
Step by step from a US landline
- Dial 011 — the international access code for the US and Canada.
- Dial 52 — Mexico's country code.
- Dial 998 — Cancún's area code.
- Dial the 7-digit local number.
Full example: 011 52 998 848 7000
Real Dialing Examples for Cancún
| Calling from | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US or Canadian smartphone | +52 998 XXX XXXX | +52 998 848 7000 |
| US or Canadian landline | 011 52 998 XXX XXXX | 011 52 998 848 7000 |
| UK / Europe | 00 52 998 XXX XXXX | 00 52 998 848 7000 |
| Inside Mexico (another city) | 998 XXX XXXX | 998 848 7000 |
| WhatsApp (any country) | +52 998 XXX XXXX | Save as contact first, then message |
What Areas Does the 998 Code Cover?
The 998 area code covers the municipality of Benito Juárez in the state of Quintana Roo — which is home to both Cancún and nearby Isla Mujeres. Numbers from Isla Mujeres also begin with 998.
Other popular Riviera Maya destinations have their own area codes:
| Destination | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|
| Cancún / Isla Mujeres | 998 | +52 998 XXX XXXX |
| Playa del Carmen / Tulum | 984 | +52 984 XXX XXXX |
| Cozumel | 987 | +52 987 XXX XXXX |
| Chetumal (capital of Q. Roo) | 983 | +52 983 XXX XXXX |
Time Zone: Cancún vs the US
Cancún runs on Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) year-round — it does not observe Daylight Saving Time. This creates a quirk: for half the year, Cancún is in the same time zone as New York and Miami, and for the other half, it's one hour behind.
| Period | Cancún time | New York time | Chicago time | Los Angeles time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US DST (Mar–Nov) | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM (EDT) | 12:00 PM (CDT) | 10:00 AM (PDT) |
| US Standard (Nov–Mar) | 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM (EST) | 11:00 AM (CST) | 9:00 AM (PST) |
Practical rule: Cancún and Chicago are usually in sync (both at UTC-5 during CDT, both UTC-6 in winter — wait, Cancún stays at UTC-5 year-round). Cancún and New York are the same time in winter, and Cancún is 1 hour behind New York in summer.
Does My US Phone Plan Cover Calls to Cancún?
Cancún, like all of Mexico, is covered by most major US carrier plans:
- T-Mobile: All plans include unlimited calls and texts to Mexico at no extra charge. Your number stays the same — just dial and go.
- AT&T: Unlimited Premium, Extra, and Value plans include Mexico. Check your specific plan at att.com/mymessage or call 611.
- Verizon: Standard plans charge ~$0.99/min. Add TravelPass ($6/day) to use your allowance.
- Google Fi: Mexico included in all plans at domestic rates.
Free option — WhatsApp: Hotels, tour operators, and restaurants in Cancún all have WhatsApp. If you have Wi-Fi or data, calling via WhatsApp is free. Save the number as +52 998 XXX XXXX in your contacts.
Traveling to Cancún? Get Data Before You Land
Unlimited data in Mexico from $19 USD. Works the moment you land at Cancún International Airport (CUN) — no SIM swap needed. Compatible with iPhone and most Android flagships.
Mexico eSIM from $4.50 USD on Telcel network. Great for shorter stays or if you prefer paying for exactly the data you use. Instant digital delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the area code for Cancún, Mexico?
Cancún's area code is 998. To call Cancún from the US, dial +52 998 followed by the 7-digit local number. From a US landline: 011 52 998 XXX XXXX.
How do I call a Cancún hotel from the US?
From a smartphone: press + (hold the 0 key), then dial 52 998 followed by the hotel's 7-digit number. The hotel's number will be listed on its website — just make sure the full format is +52 998 XXX XXXX.
Does Cancún use the same area code as Playa del Carmen?
No. Cancún and Isla Mujeres use area code 998. Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya corridor south of Cancún use area code 984.
Is the area code the same for hotels and cell phones in Cancún?
Yes. Since Mexico's 2019 telecom reform, both landlines and cell phones in Cancún use the same 998 area code and the same dialing format. No extra digit is needed for mobile phones.
What time zone is Cancún in?
Cancún observes Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5) year-round and does not change clocks for Daylight Saving Time. This means Cancún is the same time as New York and Miami in winter, and 1 hour behind them in summer.
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