The search query “area code 591” is seeking the geographic location associated with this three-digit number.
The direct answer is that 591 is not an area code within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which includes the US and Canada. Instead, 591 is the country calling code for the Plurinational State of Bolivia in South America.
If you have seen the +591 prefix on your phone, the call originated from Bolivia. This article details the dialing format for Bolivia, its time zones, and essential information for making international calls.
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The Country Code for Bolivia
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) assigned +591 as the unique country calling code for Bolivia.
Location and Time Zone
- Country: Bolivia, South America.
- Capital Cities: Sucre (constitutional capital) and La Paz (administrative capital).
- Time Zone: Bolivia observes Bolivia Time (BOT), which is UTC-04:00. This means Bolivia is typically the same time as the Atlantic Time Zone (AST) in North America and is one hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST). Bolivia does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Bolivia’s Phone Number Structure
In Bolivia, the full national number (excluding the international access code) consists of eight digits: a one- or two-digit regional area code followed by a 6- or 7-digit local number.
The international dialing format to reach Bolivia is:
| Major City/Region | Regional Code | Dialing Example (from US/Canada) |
| La Paz | 2 | 011 591 2 XXX XXXX |
| Santa Cruz | 3 | 011 591 3 XXX XXXX |
| Cochabamba | 4 | 011 591 4 XXX XXXX |
| Mobile Phones | 6 or 7 (initial digit) | 011 591 7 XXX XXXX |
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Dealing with Calls from
If you are located in the US or Canada and receive an unexpected call displaying the (591) code, it should be treated with caution.
- Not a NANP Code: Any call showing (591) is an international call that falls outside the North American Numbering Plan.
- Potential Scam Risk: International codes are frequently used in scams. If a call rings once and hangs up (a “Wangiri” scam), do not call it back, as you may be charged high international connection fees.
- Mobile Phone Dialing: If you are calling Bolivia using a mobile phone, remember to use the + symbol instead of the US exit code (011): 2 XXX XXXX.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Area Code 591 part of the United States or Canada?
No. Area Code 591 is the country calling code for Bolivia. All area codes in the US and Canada are prefixed by the country code +1.
How many digits are in a full Bolivian phone number?
A full Bolivian national phone number is typically eight digits (including the one- or two-digit regional code). When dialing internationally, the full sequence is followed by the 8-digit number, for a total of 11 digits.
What is the time difference when calling La Paz from the US Central Time Zone (CST)?
Bolivia Time (UTC-04:00) is one hour ahead of US Central Standard Time (CST) (UTC-05:00) during the winter months. During US Daylight Saving Time (CDT, UTC-05:00), Bolivia is the same time as CDT.
Do I need to dial the regional code (2, 3, or 4) when calling a Bolivian mobile number?
Yes. The regional code is the first digit of the 8-digit national number. For mobile phones, the number often starts with a 6 or 7. For example, a mobile number might be dialed as 7 XXX XXXX.
Conclusion
The numerical sequence “area code 591” is the country code for Bolivia . It is not used for domestic dialing in the US or Canada. If you plan to call Bolivia, ensure you use the full international format and check the time difference. If you receive an unexpected call from +591, treat it with caution due to the risk of international call scams.
