Bolivia Country Code +591
The country code for the Plurinational State of Bolivia is +591. Bolivia uses a unified national numbering plan with 8-digit numbers for both fixed lines and mobiles. The first digit is a numbering zone code, followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. For domestic long-distance, you may see a leading 0 and an optional two-digit carrier code, but from abroad you dial +591 directly followed by the 8-digit number.
A typical La Paz landline is written as +591 2 212 3456, where 2 is the geographical zone for La Paz, Oruro and Potosí. A mobile, often used by logistics and mining companies, would look like +591 7 612 3456 or +591 6 7xx xxxx, where the initial 6 or 7 identifies the mobile zone and operator.
This guide explains how Bolivian phone numbers are structured, how to dial to and from Bolivia, how Bolivia Time (BOT, UTC-4) lines up with North America and Europe, and which emergency numbers (110 / 118 / 119) to keep handy when working with mining operations in Potosí, soy exporters around Santa Cruz or government offices in La Paz.
Example landline (intl.)
+591 2 212 3456
+591 (country) · 2 (La Paz/Oruro/Potosí zone) · 7-digit subscriber number (total 8 digits after +591).
Example mobile
+591 7 612 3456
6 or 7 + 7 digits for mobiles – 8-digit national number used after +591 from abroad.
Time & daylight saving
Bolivia Time (BOT · UTC-4) · No DST
Bolivia uses a single time zone, America/La_Paz, with clocks fixed at UTC-4 all year round.
Overview – where +591 is used
The country code +591 is used exclusively for Bolivia, a landlocked South American country stretching from the Andes altiplano down into the Amazon basin. You will encounter +591 numbers when dealing with mining and lithium projects in Potosí and Oruro, soy and agro-industry around Santa Cruz, gas and infrastructure in Tarija, and government institutions in La Paz.
Bolivia’s numbering plan is aligned with ITU-T E.164 and uses an 8-digit National Significant Number (NSN) for both fixed and mobile services. Fixed lines sit in geographic zones with single-digit codes 2, 3 and 4, while mobiles are mainly in the 6 and 7 ranges. Within a given zone you usually dial just the 7-digit subscriber number; for calls across zones you may see a leading 0 and a two-digit carrier code such as 10, 11 or 12.
From outside Bolivia, none of the long-distance prefixes are used. You simply dial +591 + 8-digit number and let your own carrier handle the route. This is important for call-centre and CRM systems: avoid saving Bolivian numbers with local “0-10-…” prefixes, otherwise outbound calls from other countries may fail.
Numbering zones inside Bolivia (fixed lines)
- Zone 2 – La Paz, Oruro, Potosí and surrounding highland departments.
- Zone 3 – Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando (eastern lowlands, agribusiness, logistics).
- Zone 4 – Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Tarija (central valleys and southern gas fields).
In databases, you can often infer the region from the first digit: 2–4 = fixed, 6–7 = mobile. Zone 5–7 may appear in technical documents to group mobile allocations.
Bolivia phone number formats (+591)
Structure: +591 · ZXXXXXXX (8-digit NSN, Z = 2–7)Bolivia’s national numbers have a fixed length of 8 digits. The first digit is the numbering zone or mobile range; the following 7 digits identify the subscriber. There is no variable length between fixed and mobile – both use 8 digits after the country code.
- • National Significant Number: ZXXXXXXX (Z = 2–7, X = 0–9).
- • Fixed lines: Z = 2, 3 or 4 (geographic zone), e.g. 2 212 3456.
- • Mobiles: Z typically = 6 or 7, e.g. 7 612 3456.
- • International (E.164) format: +591 Z XXXXXXX, with no leading 0.
-
• Domestic calling:
- – Within same geographic zone: dial just the 7-digit subscriber number.
- – Between zones: 0 + optional carrier code (10/11/12) + zone digit + subscriber.
- • International from Bolivia: 00 + carrier code (10/11/12) + country code + foreign number.
For international callers and CRM systems, the safe canonical form is always +591 + 8 digits, without any domestic prefix 0 or carrier code.
Sample Bolivia numbers
Illustrative onlyZone 2 covers La Paz, Oruro and Potosí. The first digit 2 immediately tells you it is a fixed line in the western highlands.
Zone 3 covers Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando – the eastern lowlands and agribusiness hub.
Mobiles normally begin with 6 or 7 and are 8 digits long. They are widely used in mining, energy and NGO operations across the country.
How to dial Bolivia (+591) numbers
1. From the USA or Canada
From North America, call Bolivia using the international prefix 011, then the country code 591, then the full 8-digit Bolivian number.
- Dial 011 – US/Canada exit code.
- Dial 591 – Bolivia country code.
- Dial the 8-digit phone number (landline or mobile).
Example (Chicago → La Paz landline): 011 591 2 212 3456.
2. From the UK, Europe or most of Latin America
Many countries use 00 as the international prefix. Then dial 591 and the 8-digit Bolivian number.
- Dial 00 – international access code.
- Dial 591 – Bolivia country code.
- Dial the 8-digit Bolivian number.
Example (Madrid → Santa Cruz fixed line): 00 591 3 333 7890.
3. Dialing within Bolivia
- Within same geographic zone (fixed): dial only the 7-digit subscriber number (without the zone digit).
- Between zones (fixed → fixed): 0 + carrier code (10/11/12) + zone digit + 7-digit subscriber.
- To mobiles: in practice most users dial the full 8-digit mobile number; where carrier selection applies you may see 0 + carrier code + 8 digits.
- International from Bolivia: 00 + carrier code + country code + number.
Example: La Paz → Santa Cruz landline via ENTEL (10): 0 10 3 333 7890.
Important: From outside Bolivia you should never include the domestic 0 or carrier code. Instead, always normalise on +591 + 8 digits for outbound dialing and for storing contacts.
Time in Bolivia – Bolivia Time (BOT, UTC-4)
Bolivia uses a single time zone called Bolivia Time (BOT), which is UTC-04:00. The entire country – from La Paz and El Alto to Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre and Tarija – follows the same time all year.
Bolivia has not observed daylight saving time for many decades, so there are no seasonal clock changes. In the IANA time zone database, Bolivia is represented as America/La_Paz. This is the zone you should configure in calendars, scheduling systems and telephony platforms.
What does this mean for you? The time difference between Bolivia and your country depends entirely on whether your own time zone changes for summer/winter. For example, La Paz is usually 1 hour ahead of New York in northern-hemisphere winter but aligns with it when the US is on daylight saving time.
Typical time differences vs Bolivia (UTC-4)
| City | Zone | Approx. difference |
|---|---|---|
| New York | ET (UTC-5 / -4) | Bolivia is +1h in winter, same time when NY is on daylight saving |
| London | UTC / BST | Bolivia is −4h (winter) or −5h (when UK is on summer time) |
| São Paulo | BRT (UTC-3) | Bolivia is −1h relative to most of Brazil |
| Lima | UTC-5 | Bolivia is +1h ahead of Peru |
For regional conference calls, a common overlap window is morning in La Paz, aligning with business hours in Chile, Paraguay, Brazil and North America.
Emergency numbers in Bolivia
Bolivia uses short three-digit numbers for emergency services. Travellers should memorise the dedicated numbers for police, ambulance and fire, and be aware that 911 may also route to local emergency services in some areas.
Police – emergencias
110
Main police emergency number throughout Bolivia. In some guides, 120 is also listed as a national police number, while 911 may connect to coordinated emergency services.
Medical & ambulance
118
For ambulance and urgent medical help. Some travel advisories note that private transport or clinics may be faster in remote areas.
Fire brigade
119
Direct line to the fire service for fires, serious traffic accidents and rescue operations.
For non-emergency situations (for example, filing a report or asking for information), use the non-emergency numbers published by local police, hospitals or your embassy in La Paz, Santa Cruz or Cochabamba.
Example: calling +591 numbers in practice
US (Houston) → La Paz mining office
Office lists its landline as: 2 212 3456.
- Dial 011 (US exit code).
- Dial 591.
- Dial 2 212 3456.
Result: 011 591 2 212 3456
Germany (Hamburg) → Bolivia mobile
Freight forwarder mobile: +591 7 612 3456.
- From Germany, dial 00.
- Dial 591.
- Dial 7 612 3456.
Result: 00 591 7 612 3456
Santa Cruz → Cochabamba factory (domestic)
Factory number: 4 444 6789.
- Caller is in Santa Cruz (zone 3), destination in Cochabamba (zone 4).
- Dial: 0 + carrier code (for example 10) + 4 444 6789.
Full domestic format: 0 10 4 444 6789 .
Bolivia country code +591 – FAQ
How many digits are in a Bolivia phone number?
All standard Bolivian phone numbers have an 8-digit national number (NSN) after the +591 country code, whether they are fixed or mobile. The first digit is the numbering zone (2–7) and the remaining 7 digits are the subscriber number.
Do I need to dial a leading 0 when calling Bolivia from abroad?
No. The 0 is a domestic long-distance prefix used inside Bolivia together with carrier codes. From other countries you should omit the 0 and dial +591 + 8-digit number directly.
How can I tell if a +591 number is mobile or fixed?
Look at the first digit of the national number. If it is 2, 3 or 4, it normally indicates a fixed line in one of the three geographic zones. If it is 6 or 7, it is typically a mobile. This convention is widely used in validation libraries and carrier documentation.
Does Bolivia have daylight saving time?
No. Bolivia remains on BOLIVIA TIME (BOT, UTC-4) throughout the year and does not use daylight saving. However, many of Bolivia’s trading partners do change clocks, so the offset between your time zone and Bolivia may shift in spring or autumn.
Which emergency number should I use in Bolivia?
The key dedicated numbers are 110 for police, 118 for ambulance/medical emergencies and 119 for fire. Some areas also recognise 911 and 120 as additional police or general emergency lines. When in doubt, 110 is the best single number for urgent police assistance.
Are calls to Bolivia expensive? How can I reduce costs?
Standard international tariffs to +591 can be relatively high from mobile or landline plans. To save money, many companies use VoIP, cloud PBX providers, calling cards or virtual numbers for regular contact with suppliers and teams in Bolivia. If you travel to Bolivia often, consider using local SIM/eSIM options for cheaper outbound calls and data within the country.
Download the Bolivia (+591) dialing & time zone cheat sheet
Get a one-page PDF with Bolivia’s +591 country code, fixed and mobile 8-digit formats, Bolivia Time (BOT, UTC-4) and emergency numbers 110 / 118 / 119 – perfect for export teams, mining operators, logistics desks and global call centres.