The number 51 is the international Country Calling Code assigned to the nation of Peru.
This means that to successfully call any landline or mobile phone within Peru from outside the country, you must first dial your international exit code, followed by the +51 country code.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the location of the +51 code, the correct dialing procedure for major Peruvian cities like Lima and Cusco, and important advice on handling unsolicited international calls.
Location of Country Code +51: Peru
The +51 code covers the entirety of the Republic of Peru, a large country located in Western South America.
| Detail | Information |
| Code Type: | International Country Calling Code (Not a US/Canadian Area Code) |
| Country: | Peru |
| Continent: | South America |
| Capital City: | Lima |
| Time Zone: | Peru Time (PET), which is UTC/GMT -5 hours. Peru does not observe Daylight Saving Time. |
Major Cities and Area Codes within Peru (+51)
After dialing the +51 Country Code, you must include a one- or two-digit geographic area code (for landlines) or a mobile prefix (for cell phones).
| City | Area Code (Landline Prefix) |
| Lima & Callao (Metropolitan Area) | 1 |
| Arequipa | 54 |
| Cusco | 84 |
| Trujillo | 44 |
| Chiclayo | 74 |
How to Call Peru Using the +51 Country Code
To place a call to Peru from another country, you need three main components: the International Exit Code of your country, the Peru Country Code, and the local number components.
Step-by-Step Dialing Instructions (From the US/Canada):
- Dial the International Exit Code: Use 011 (standard for the US and Canada). On a mobile phone, you can often use the plus sign (+)
- Dial the Peru Country Code: Enter 51.
- Dial the Area Code/Mobile Prefix:
- For Landlines: Enter the relevant 1- or 2-digit area code (e.g., 1 for Lima).
- For Mobile Phones: Do NOT dial a city area code. Instead, dial the required mobile prefix, which is always 9, followed by the remaining 8 digits (for a total of 9 mobile digits after the country code).
- Dial the Local Number:
- Landlines in Lima: Follow the area code 1 with 7 local digits.
- Landlines elsewhere: Follow the area code (e.g., 84 for Cusco) with 6 local digits.
- Mobile Phones: Follow the 9 prefix with the remaining 8 digits (9XX XXX XXX).
Example (Calling a Lima Landline from the US):
Example (Calling a Peruvian Mobile Phone from the US):
Safety Alert: Unsolicited Calls from International Codes
While +51 is a legitimate country code, any unsolicited call from an international number should be handled with caution.
- Scam Risk: International country codes, especially those from outside the North American Numbering Plan, are occasionally used in “Wangiri” or “One-Ring Scams.” This scam involves calls that ring once and hang up, attempting to trick you into calling the number back. If you call back a premium-rate international number, you will incur expensive connection fees and high per-minute charges on your phone bill.
- Best Practice: Do not answer or return calls from the +51 country code if you do not know the caller. If it is a legitimate caller, they will leave a voicemail or reach out to you through a verifiable channel.
If you suspect you have been the victim of a scam call, report it to your local telecommunications authority, such as the FCC or FTC in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the time difference when calling Peru from the US?
Peru observes Peru Time (PET), which is UTC -5 hours. This time zone aligns perfectly with US Eastern Standard Time (EST). Therefore, if you are in the US Eastern Time Zone during Standard Time, there is no time difference. During US Daylight Saving Time (when the Eastern US is on EDT, UTC -4), Peru is 1 hour behind the US East Coast.
What is the difference between a country code and an area code?
A Country Code (like +51) is a mandatory prefix used to route a call from one country to another. An Area Code (like 1, 54, or 84 in Peru) is a shorter code used within a country to route a call to a specific city or region. You must dial both for an international call to a fixed line in Peru.
Do I need to dial the mobile prefix (9) for all Peruvian cell phones?
Yes. All mobile numbers in Peru are 9 digits long and begin with the digit 9. When dialing a Peruvian cell phone internationally, you omit the area code but must include the full 9-digit mobile number immediately after the +51 country code.
Calls from unknown international numbers, even those from a legitimate country code like +51, should be viewed cautiously, as seen in this video discussing a global scam tactic Beware Of Calls From Unknown International Numbers To Ward Off Cyber Criminals.
