Area Code 248 – Atlantida

Overview of Area Code 248 (Honduras)

Area code 248 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the department of Atlántida on the northern Caribbean coast of Honduras. This region is part of the national numbering plan administered by the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) under the ITU-T E.164 standard. The code covers the principal city of La Ceiba, the departmental capital, as well as other municipalities such as Tela, Jutiapa, Arizona, and Esparta. La Ceiba is the third-largest city in Honduras and a major port and tourism hub, serving as the gateway to the Bay Islands (Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja).

Dialing Formats and Usage

When calling a fixed-line number in Atlántida from within Honduras, subscribers must dial the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 248 and the seven-digit local subscriber number. For example, a local number might be formatted as 248-XXXXXXX. From abroad, callers should dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries), then the Honduras country code +504, followed by the area code and subscriber number, omitting the trunk prefix. Thus, an international call would be placed as +504 248-XXXXXXX. It is important to note that Honduras has a closed numbering plan for fixed lines: the combination of area code and subscriber number always totals eight digits (excluding the trunk prefix).

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Atlántida is one of the 18 departments of Honduras, bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north. The area code 248 is exclusively assigned to this department, ensuring that all fixed-line numbers within its jurisdiction share this NDC. The region is known for its agricultural production (bananas, palm oil), as well as its growing tourism industry. The port of La Ceiba facilitates both commercial shipping and passenger ferries to the Bay Islands. Because the code is geographic, it is tied to the physical location of the line; however, number portability may allow subscribers to retain their number when moving within the same rate center, subject to CONATEL regulations.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Atlántida): Dial the seven-digit subscriber number directly (without the area code) if your telephone service provider uses local dialing. However, many modern networks require the full national format (0-248-XXXXXXX) even for local calls. Check with your provider.
• National callers (outside Atlántida): Dial 0-248-XXXXXXX.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then +504-248-XXXXXXX.

Overlay and Future Considerations

As of the latest CONATEL updates, there is no overlay code for Atlántida; the 248 code remains unique for the department. However, with the growth of telecommunication services, CONATEL periodically reviews numbering resources. Businesses and residents should be aware that any changes to dialing procedures would be announced well in advance. For VoIP and mobile users, the geographic significance of the code is less relevant, but it still determines the routing of calls to fixed-line subscribers in the region.