If you’re looking for information on area code 663 or area code 664, you’ve come to the right place. Both the 663 area code and the 664 area code are assigned to the city of Tijuana in Baja California, Mexico. Situated on the U.S. border, Tijuana is a bustling center for business and tourism, making calls to the region extremely common. However, there is significant confusion about how to dial these numbers correctly, outdated information online, and even dangerous scams associated with these codes.
This guide will provide everything you need to know. We’ll explain exactly where the area code 663 location is, why there are two area codes for the same city, and provide the only correct, up-to-date instructions for calling Tijuana from the United States. We will also clear up common myths and give you practical advice to protect yourself from costly phone scams.
The Core Explanation: Where is Area Code 663 and 664?
Before making a call, it’s essential to understand the location and system behind a phone number. For anyone wondering “where is 663 area code,” the answer is simple, but the reason for its dual-code system reveals a lot about the region’s incredible growth.
What City Uses the 663 and 664 Mexico Area Code?
The area codes 663 and 664 are used exclusively by the city of Tijuana, in the state of Baja California, Mexico. No other city in the country uses these codes. If you have a number with a 663 Mexico area code or a 664 Mexico area code, you are contacting someone in Tijuana.
Tijuana’s location is key to its importance. As the westernmost city in Mexico, it shares a 15-mile border with San Diego, California, creating the busiest land border crossing in the world. Millions of people travel between the two cities for work, tourism, and family, generating a constant need for cross-border communication. The Tijuana, Mexico area code is one of the most frequently dialed from the US.
Furthermore, Tijuana has become a manufacturing powerhouse, especially for medical devices, and is recognized as a fast-growing global city with a population of nearly 2.3 million. This explosive growth is the primary reason why a single area code was no longer sufficient.
Why Are There Two Area Codes for Tijuana?
Many people are confused by the existence of both the Tijuana area code 663 and the 664 area code tijuana for the same city. This is not a mistake; it’s the result of an “area code overlay.” An overlay is a solution used when a city is about to run out of available phone numbers within its original area code.
Originally, 663 was the sole area code for Tijuana. As the city grew, the demand for new phone lines for homes, cell phones, and businesses exhausted the supply of available numbers. To solve this without forcing everyone to change their existing phone numbers, the 664 area code was introduced as an overlay. This means that new phone lines in Tijuana can be assigned a number in either area code. A person with a 663 number can call their neighbor with a 664 number, and it is still a local call. The dual-code system is a direct reflection of Tijuana’s economic success.
The Deep Dive: How to Call Tijuana, Mexico from the U.S.
One of the biggest challenges when calling Mexico is finding correct instructions. In 2019, Mexico’s telephone system was completely overhauled, making most of the dialing guides you find online obsolete. Following old rules will cause your call to fail. Here are the only correct, current instructions for dialing the area code for Tijuana.
The Official Step-by-Step Dialing Guide
The 2019 reform standardized all Mexican phone numbers to a 10-digit format (a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit local number). Crucially for international callers, this change eliminated the need to add an extra digit “1” when calling a Mexican mobile number from another country. Many online guides have not been updated with this information. The instructions below are the only way to correctly dial the Mexico 663 area code and Mexico 664 area code today.
Calling Tijuana from a US Mobile Phone:
Using a mobile phone is the easiest method, as the + symbol automatically serves as the international exit code.
- Dial +: Press and hold the 0 key on your keypad until the + appears.
- Dial 52: This is the country code for Mexico.
- Dial 663 or 664: Enter the appropriate Tijuana area code.
- Dial the 7-Digit Number: Finish with the local phone number.
- Example for 52 664 area code: To call the number 123-4567, you would dial: +52 664 123 4567
Calling Tijuana from a US Landline:
The process is similar from a landline, but you must use the numerical U.S. exit code.
- Dial 011: This is the standard U.S. exit code for placing an international call.
- Dial 52: Enter Mexico’s country code.
- Dial 663 or 664: Use the correct 3-digit area code for Tijuana, Mexico.
- Dial the 7-Digit Number: Conclude with the 7-digit local phone number.
- Example for 52 663 area code: To call the number 987-6543, you would dial: 011 52 663 987 6543
Clearing Up Confusion: Scams and Outdated Myths
The search for an area code is often driven by uncertainty. When it comes to the area 664, this confusion is not just inconvenient—it can be dangerous and lead to financial loss.
The “Other” 664: A Warning About Phone Scams
A major source of risk is that area code 664 is also assigned to the Caribbean island of Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory. Crucially, Montserrat is part of the North American Numbering Plan, meaning its numbers are dialed just like a U.S. domestic long-distance call: 1-664-XXX-XXXX.
Scammers exploit this. You might get a missed call from a +1-664 number. Believing it’s a domestic call, you might return it. However, you are actually placing an expensive international call to a premium-rate number designed to rack up huge charges on your phone bill. This is known as the “One-Ring Scam.” So, while the 664 area code in Mexico is perfectly legitimate, be extremely cautious if you see a missed call from a number that begins with 1-664.
Outdated Dialing Rules You Must Ignore
Because of the 2019 dialing plan changes, two old rules now cause calls to fail. If you see these instructions online, ignore them.
- Myth 1: “You Must Dial ‘1’ for Mexican Cell Phones.” This was true for years but was completely eliminated in 2019. You no longer add a “1” after the country code 52 when calling any number in Mexico. Any instruction telling you to dial +52 1 664… is wrong.
- Myth 2: “You Need Prefixes like 01, 044, or 045.” These were domestic prefixes used within Mexico. They were also abolished in 2019. If you have an old contact saved as 045-664-123-4567, you must drop the 045 prefix and use the standard international dialing format described above.
Practical Advice: How to Stay Safe from Phone Scams
Knowing how phone systems work is the first step; protecting yourself from fraud is the next. The confusion surrounding area codes is a perfect opportunity for scammers.
The “One-Ring Scam” is designed to exploit your curiosity. Scammers auto-dial thousands of numbers and hang up after one ring, leaving a missed call on your phone. When you call back an international number like Montserrat’s +1-664, you are connected to a premium service that drains money from your account for every minute you stay on the line.
Here are 5 steps to protect yourself:
- Never Call Back Unknown Numbers: This is the golden rule. If a call from an unfamiliar number is important, the person will leave a voicemail or text you.
- Verify Independently: If someone calls claiming a relative is in trouble and needs money, hang up. Call your relative directly on a number you know is theirs to verify the story.
- Use Your Phone’s Tools: Block suspicious numbers from your call log. Enable the scam and spam filtering features built into your smartphone’s operating system.
- Beware of High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers create a false sense of urgency to make you panic and act without thinking. Any call demanding immediate payment or threatening you is a major red flag.
- Report Suspicious Calls: File complaints with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Your report helps authorities track down scammers and protect others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is area code 663 in Mexico? Area code 663 is located in Tijuana, a city in the state of Baja California, Mexico. It serves the same area as the 664 area code.
Is area code 664 from Tijuana? Yes, the 664 area code is from Tijuana. It was added as an overlay to the original 663 area code to provide more phone numbers for the growing city. However, be aware that a different area code 664 belongs to the Caribbean island of Montserrat and is used in phone scams.
What is the difference between area code 663 and 664? There is no geographic difference. Both the 663 area code Mexico and the 664 area code Mexico serve the exact same city: Tijuana. You can have two houses next to each other, with one having a 663 number and the other having a 664 number.
How do I call a +52 664 number from the US? From a mobile phone, dial +52 664 followed by the 7-digit number. From a landline, dial 011 52 664 followed by the 7-digit number. You do not need to add an extra 1 for mobile numbers anymore.
Conclusion
Understanding the area codes for Tijuana, Mexico, is straightforward once you have the right information. The most important things to remember are that both area code 663 and 664 belong to Tijuana, the dialing rules have been simplified since 2019 (the extra “1” for mobile numbers is gone), and you must be vigilant against scams that exploit confusion with other similarly numbered international codes.
With this knowledge, you can connect with friends, family, and business associates in Tijuana confidently and securely. By following the correct dialing procedures and practicing basic caution with unknown numbers, you can ensure your communication is both successful and safe.
لا تعليق