Area Code 263 – Zulia

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Area code 263 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Venezuelan national numbering plan, governed by the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) under ITU-T E.164 guidelines. It serves the western portion of Zulia State, one of Venezuela's 23 states, located in the northwestern region bordering Colombia and the Caribbean Sea. The code covers the Guajira Peninsula and the municipalities of Almirante Padilla, Guajira, and Mara, including the city of Sinamaica and the town of Paraguaipoa. This area is known for its indigenous Wayuu communities and proximity to the Gulf of Venezuela.

Primary Cities and Local Dialing

The principal urban center within this code is Sinamaica, a small town near the border with Colombia. Other populated areas include Paraguaipoa and various rural settlements along the coast. Local calls within the same area code require only the seven-digit subscriber number (e.g., 263 XXX XXXX). For calls from other Venezuelan area codes, dial the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number: 0 263 XXX XXXX. International callers must dial the Venezuelan country code +58, then the area code without the leading zero, and the subscriber number: +58 263 XXX XXXX.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for this region; 263 remains the sole NDC for this geographic area. However, as part of CONATEL's ongoing numbering plan optimization, subscribers may experience changes in dialing procedures if overlays are introduced in the future. It is advisable to always store numbers in international format (+58 263 XXX XXXX) to ensure compatibility across networks and future regulatory changes.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within 263): dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly.
• National callers (from other Venezuelan codes): dial 0, then 263, then the 7-digit number.
• International callers: dial +58, then 263, then the 7-digit number.

This area code is exclusively for fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services; mobile numbers in Venezuela use distinct non-geographic codes (e.g., 412, 414, 416). When calling from abroad, ensure you replace the international access code (00 or +) with your country's exit code. As with all geographic numbers, tariffs are typically lower than mobile rates, and calls are billed based on the distance and duration.