Area Code 61 – Presidente Franco

Overview of Paraguay Area Code 61

Area code 61 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Alto Paraná Department in eastern Paraguay, with its primary service center in Ciudad del Este. The code also covers the neighboring urban and rural districts of Presidente Franco, Minga Guazú, Hernandarias, and other localities within the department. As part of the national numbering plan, this code follows the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, ensuring international dialing compatibility.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 61 area code serves the entire Alto Paraná region, which borders Brazil and Argentina. Key cities and towns within this code include Ciudad del Este (the second-largest city in Paraguay), Presidente Franco, Hernandarias, Minga Guazú, and Santa Rita. The region is a major commercial hub due to the Itaipu Dam and the Friendship Bridge connecting to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Paraguay (excluding the same area code), the national dialing format is: 0 61 XXX XXXX (where the leading 0 is the trunk prefix). For calls within the same area code, only the subscriber number is dialed, typically XXX XXXX (7 digits after the area code). International callers must dial +595 61 XXX XXXX, omitting the trunk prefix 0. For example, to call a landline in Presidente Franco from abroad, you would dial +595 61 123 4567.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the 61 area; it remains the sole geographic code for the region. However, due to growing demand, the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) has implemented number expansion measures within the existing code, ensuring sufficient capacity. Subscriber numbers in this area are 7 digits long, and the total length of a national significant number (NSN) is 9 digits (excluding the trunk prefix).

Caller Guidance

For local callers dialing from another area code in Paraguay, always include the trunk prefix 0 and the area code. For example, from Asunción (area code 21), you would dial 0 61 123 4567. For international callers, use the plus sign (+) or the international access prefix of your country, followed by Paraguay’s country code 595 and the area code without the leading 0. Ensure you check time zone differences (PYT, UTC-4, or UTC-3 during daylight saving) to avoid calling at inconvenient hours.