How to Make a Call to Jamaica from the U.S.

Make the Call. Since Jamaica is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), you don't need any international dialing codes. Just dial the Jamaican number as you would for any U.S. number outside your area code. Depending on your carrier, you may need to start with '1'. Then, enter the area code '876' for Jamaica, followed by the seven-digit phone number of the person or business you wish to contact.

Ensure you dial out if required. If you're calling from a landline in a place like an office, dorm, or another internal phone network, make sure to dial out before entering the Jamaican phone number. This avoids accidentally reaching another extension within your network. Typically, dial "9," "#," or another specific digit or symbol that connects your call to an external line.

Verify the time difference. If you're calling Jamaica from a different time zone, double-check the time difference before placing your call. Keep in mind that, unlike the U.S., Jamaica doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time, so Jamaica is always 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. In U.S. terms, Jamaica uses Eastern Standard Time year-round, without shifting to Eastern Daylight Time during the summer.

Sign in to Skype. Open your Skype account on your device and enter your username, email address, or phone number associated with the account when prompted. Then, enter your password and click “Sign In” to access your account.

Choose between credit or subscription options. If you're making a one-time call to Jamaica or plan to call infrequently, estimate the duration of your call, check Skype's per-minute rate, and purchase credit accordingly. However, if you'll be calling Jamaica often, compare the cost of a monthly subscription for long-distance calls to the total cost of paying for individual calls. If the subscription is more affordable, it’s the better choice.

• Alternatively, if both you and the other person have Skype accounts, you can make a video call instead of calling their phone, free of charge.

Buy Skype credit. If you don’t plan to call Jamaica often enough to need a subscription, click the “Buy Credit” button, or if you already have Skype credit, select “Add Skype Credit.” Choose the amount of credit that will cover your call's duration. Then, enter your billing country (e.g., the United States) and your payment details. After completing the payment process, click “Pay Now” and follow any further prompts to finalize your purchase.

• Note: If you’ve made previous purchases, your payment method will be saved. Be sure to update it if you want to use a different one.

Get a subscription. If you plan to call Jamaica frequently enough to benefit from a flat-rate plan, visit Skype’s subscription page. Choose Jamaica as your destination and click “Continue.” You’ll then select a billing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually) and enter your payment details. Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

• If you have existing Skype credit, you can use it to pay for your subscription.

Make your call. Go back to your Skype homepage and click the “Call Phones” button. Once the dial pad opens, select “Jamaica” from the country list above the pad. Enter “1,” followed by Jamaica’s area code “876,” and then the seven-digit phone number you want to dial. Finally, click the blue call button to connect.

Use landlines. While you can make and receive calls to Jamaica from your cell phone, it’s better to use a landline when possible. If the person you’re calling also uses a landline, make sure to dial that number instead of their mobile number to save them money. Also, ask them to do the same if they plan to call you back. This avoids both parties being charged for the same call, a situation that can occur if the call is made from or to a cell phone.

• Additionally, calling landlines through Skype may be cheaper than calling mobile phones.

Hang up if there’s no answer. Although Jamaican phone numbers follow the same format as U.S. numbers, they are considered international calls and will be billed accordingly. If there’s no answer and you know how many rings the recipient’s voicemail allows before picking up, hang up before the call connects to avoid any charges. If you don’t mind the cost, feel free to leave a message.

Consider a flat-rate calling plan. If you plan on calling Jamaica frequently, compare your current international plan with other flat-rate options to see if a monthly plan might be more cost-effective. Look at your latest phone bill and total up the charges for calls to Jamaica. Then, compare this with the cost of a flat-rate plan offering unlimited international minutes. If the flat-rate option is more affordable, consider switching.

• Make sure to account for any setup, cancellation, or other hidden fees before making the switch to ensure it’s worth it.

Look into calling cards. If you plan to call Jamaica regularly but don’t want to pay the premium of a flat-rate plan, explore the rates for calling cards. Do some research to compare the costs between calling cards and your phone plan. Keep in mind that many cards include hidden fees and charges, so the value of the card may decrease over time if you don’t use it up in one call.