Area Code 2442 – La Ceiba

Geographic Overview

The area code 2442 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of La Ceiba, the principal municipality of the Atlántida department on Honduras's northern Caribbean coast. La Ceiba is the country's third-largest city and a major port and tourism hub, serving as the gateway to the Bay Islands (Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja). The code covers the urban area of La Ceiba and its immediate surroundings, including the municipalities of El Porvenir, Esparta, and Jutiapa within Atlántida.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in La Ceiba from within Honduras, subscribers must dial the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the two-digit area code 2442 and the five-digit local subscriber number (total 8 digits after the trunk prefix). For example, a local number such as 56789 would be dialed as 0-2442-56789 from elsewhere in the country.

From abroad, callers must use the international access prefix (typically 00 or +), followed by Honduras's country code 504, then the area code and subscriber number without the trunk prefix: +504 2442 56789. Note that Honduras uses a closed numbering plan for fixed lines: the area code and subscriber number together form an eight-digit national significant number (NSN).

Caller Instructions

• Local calls within La Ceiba: In most cases, you can dial just the 5-digit subscriber number, but for clarity and compatibility with mobile networks, it is recommended to dial the full 8-digit number (2442 + subscriber).
• National calls from other fixed or mobile lines: Dial 0-2442-XXXXX.
• International calls from abroad: Dial +504 2442 XXXXX (replace the leading 0 of the trunk prefix).

Technical and Regulatory Notes

The prefix 2442 is part of the geographic numbering plan administered by the Honduran telecommunications regulator (CONATEL). It is allocated to fixed-line operators such as Hondutel and private carriers. Numbering resources are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and number portability is available for fixed lines, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators within the same geographic area. However, the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the physical location of the exchange, and calls are routed based on the NDC.

As with all geographic codes in Honduras, the area code is required for all calls, including those made from mobile phones. Mobile users must include the trunk prefix 0 when dialing a fixed line in La Ceiba from a mobile phone, unless they are using a VoIP service that may require a different format. Always verify the current dialing procedures with your service provider, as network changes can occur.