Area Code 261 – Choloma, Cortés

Overview of Area Code 261 in Honduras

Area code 261 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Choloma, located in the department of Cortés in northwestern Honduras. This code is part of the Honduran national numbering plan, which follows the ITU-T E.164 standard. The full international dialing format for a fixed-line number in Choloma is +504 261 XXXX, where the subscriber number consists of four digits. When dialing domestically from other parts of Honduras, callers must include the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number, resulting in 0 261 XXXX. However, due to the widespread adoption of mobile telephony, many fixed-line numbers are also reachable via VoIP and other alternative services, but the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the physical location of the line.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Choloma is one of the most populous municipalities in Honduras and serves as a major industrial hub, hosting numerous maquiladoras (export processing zones) and manufacturing plants. The area code 261 covers the urban and suburban areas of Choloma, including its central district and surrounding neighborhoods. The city is part of the San Pedro Sula metropolitan area, which is the country's economic heartland. While San Pedro Sula itself uses a different area code (255), Choloma's code is distinct and reflects its separate administrative jurisdiction within the department of Cortés. The region is well-connected by highways and is a key transit point for goods moving between the Caribbean coast and the interior.

Dialing Instructions

For callers within Honduras, dialing a Choloma fixed-line number requires the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 261 and the four-digit subscriber number. For example, to call a number in Choloma from Tegucigalpa, you would dial 0 261 XXXX. For international callers, the process is to dial the international access code (e.g., 00 from most countries), then the country code 504, followed by the area code 261 and the subscriber number, omitting the trunk prefix. Thus, an international call would be formatted as +504 261 XXXX. It is important to note that Honduras uses a closed numbering plan, meaning that all national numbers, including mobile and fixed-line, have a fixed length of eight digits after the country code. The area code is always included, even for local calls, so there is no local dialing without the area code.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of now, there is no overlay code for Choloma; the 261 code is exclusively used for fixed-line services in this area. However, with the growth of telecommunications and the increasing demand for numbers, the regulatory body, Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL), may introduce overlays or new area codes in the future. For businesses and residents, it is essential to ensure that all printed materials and online listings include the full international format to avoid misdialing. Additionally, because Honduras has implemented number portability for mobile services, fixed-line numbers may also be ported to other operators, but the geographic area code remains unchanged, ensuring that the number retains its regional identity.