Area Code 236 – Oaxaca/Puebla

Overview

The area code 236 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the region spanning parts of the states of Oaxaca and Puebla in Mexico. This code serves a mix of urban and rural communities, with key localities including Tehuacán (Puebla), Huajuapan de León (Oaxaca), and Tamazulapan del Progreso (Oaxaca). The region is characterized by its mountainous terrain and historical significance, and the numbering plan follows the ITU-T E.164 standard for international dialing.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

The 236 area code is administered under Mexico’s national numbering plan, overseen by the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT). It covers a non-contiguous set of municipalities across the Sierra Mixteca and the Tehuacán Valley. Notable cities and towns within this code include:

• Tehuacán – the largest city in the area, known for its mineral water springs and industrial activity.
• Huajuapan de León – a commercial hub in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca.
• Tamazulapan del Progreso – a smaller town with strong indigenous heritage.
• Other communities such as Zapotitlán, San Juan Bautista Cuicatlán, and Santa María Camotlán.

Because the code spans two states, callers should be aware that while the area code is the same, the administrative jurisdictions differ. However, for dialing purposes, the code functions uniformly.

Dialing Formats

For local calls within the 236 area, the full 10-digit number (area code + local number) is dialed. For example, to call a landline in Tehuacán, you would dial 236 123 4567 (where 123 4567 is the local 7-digit subscriber number). This is mandatory even for calls between nearby towns within the same area code.

For international callers, the format is: +52 236 123 4567. The plus sign represents the international access prefix, and 52 is Mexico’s country calling code. When dialing from a mobile phone, the same format applies. From a landline in another country, you may need to replace the plus sign with the specific international prefix (e.g., 011 from the US/Canada, 00 from many European countries).

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for 236; it is the sole NDC for its geographic area. However, due to the growing demand for telecommunication services, the IFT periodically reviews numbering resources. Subscribers in this area may have the ability to keep their numbers when switching service providers (number portability), which applies to both fixed and mobile services. This means that a number with the 236 code could be assigned to a mobile line, though the code is primarily geographic.

Caller Instructions

For callers within Mexico: To call a 236 number from another area code (e.g., from Mexico City), dial the long-distance prefix 01 followed by the area code and number: 01 236 123 4567. For mobile-to-mobile calls, dialing the 10-digit number directly is common, but using 01 is also valid.

For international callers: Always use the international format +52 236 123 4567. Avoid dropping the leading zero (there is none) and ensure you include the country code. This ensures proper routing through international gateways.