The 787 area code belongs to Puerto Rico. It covers the whole island, from San Juan on the north coast to Ponce in the south and Mayaguez in the west. It shares the island with the 939 area code.
A lot of people on the US mainland are not sure whether 787 is a domestic or an international number. This guide clears that up and covers the location, time zone and history of the code.
787 Area Code Quick Facts
| Territory | Puerto Rico (U.S. territory) |
| Location | The whole island of Puerto Rico, including San Juan, Bayamon and Ponce |
| Time zone | Atlantic Standard Time all year (UTC-4), no daylight saving time |
| In service since | March 1, 1996 |
| Type | Geographic area code |
| Shares its area with | 939 (overlay since September 15, 2001) |
| Toll-free? | No, it is a regular geographic area code |
Check any other code with our free area code lookup tool.
Where Is the 787 Area Code Located?
Area code 787 is located in the Caribbean, on the island of Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States. Main cities include:
- San Juan
- Bayamon
- Carolina
- Ponce
- Caguas
- Mayaguez
- Arecibo
Puerto Rico is part of the North American Numbering Plan, so its numbers use the +1 country code and look exactly like numbers from any US state.
What Time Zone Is the 787 Area Code In?
Puerto Rico is on Atlantic Standard Time all year.
- UTC-4 in every season
- No daylight saving time, so the clock never changes
That makes it one hour ahead of New York in winter and on the same time as New York in summer. Most offices there answer between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.
History of the 787 Area Code
- Around 1958: Puerto Rico is placed in area code 809, which at the time was shared by many Caribbean islands.
- March 1, 1996: Puerto Rico receives its own area code, 787, as 809 is divided into separate codes.
- January 31, 1997: the changeover period ends and callers must use 787.
- September 15, 2001: 939 is added as an overlay, and ten-digit dialing becomes required for all calls on the island.
The new code filled up faster than planned. Within a few years, cell phones and dial-up internet lines had used so many 787 numbers that a second code was needed.
Is a Call to 787 an International Call?
No, not in the usual sense. Puerto Rico is a US territory and uses the same +1 country code as the mainland. Most nationwide US mobile plans treat calls to and from Puerto Rico as domestic. Some older landline or prepaid plans may still bill it differently, so check your plan if you are unsure.
Do not confuse 787 with 809, 829 or 849. Those belong to the Dominican Republic, which is a separate country, and calls there are billed as international.
How to Dial a 787 Number
Dial all ten digits for every call in this area.
- From the US or Canada: 1 + 787 + the seven-digit number
- From another country: your exit code + 1 + 787 + the seven-digit number
Is a Call From 787 a Scam?
Most 787 calls come from ordinary residents and businesses in Puerto Rico. If you have family, friends or customers on the island, a 787 number is nothing unusual. If you do not, treat it like any other unknown call.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Someone who says they are from the IRS, Social Security or a court and demands payment
- Tech support calls about a virus on your computer
- Investment or crypto offers from a company you do not know
- Texts that ask you to click a link to fix a billing problem
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the number on your screen does not prove where a call comes from.
What to do with an unknown 787 call
- Let it ring out and check the voicemail.
- Search the full number online before you call back.
- Block the number and report it.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov and register at donotcall.gov.
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM).
How to Get a 787 Phone Number
A 787 number is easy to get, for personal or business use.
- Carriers: new lines in Puerto Rico are assigned 787 or 939, depending on which has free numbers.
- VoIP and virtual number providers: search by area code, pick a 787 number and forward calls to any phone.
- Toll-free numbers: a better fit if your customers are spread across the country.
Read our guides to virtual phone numbers and the 833 area code.
Area Codes Near 787
| 939 | Same area as 787: all of Puerto Rico |
| 340 | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| 809, 829, 849 | Dominican Republic (international) |
| 305, 786, 645 | Miami, Florida |
Related guides: 786 area code for Miami, 305 area code for Miami.
787 Area Code FAQs
Where is area code 787?
In Puerto Rico. It covers the whole island, including San Juan, Bayamon, Carolina and Ponce.
Is 787 part of the United States?
Yes. Puerto Rico is a US territory, and 787 is part of the same numbering plan as the 50 states.
What is the difference between 787 and 939?
Both cover all of Puerto Rico. 787 started in 1996 and 939 was added in 2001.
What time zone is 787?
Atlantic Standard Time, all year. Puerto Rico does not use daylight saving time.
Is 787 a toll-free number?
No. Toll-free codes are 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Final Word
The 787 area code covers all of Puerto Rico on Atlantic Standard Time and has been in service since 1996. It is a US number, not a foreign one. Screen unknown callers the same way you would for any other area code.
