> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bird.com/applications/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/sms/concepts/choose-the-right-sender-availability-and-restrictions-by-country/sms-country-information-guide-central-america.md).
# SMS Country Information Guide: Central America
### **Belize**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Short Code
* Promotional SMS: Short Code
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way short code
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): Yes
* Belize Phone Number: Yes
* Belize Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: Yes
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **Costa Rica**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Long Code
* Promotional SMS: Long Code
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way long number
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): Yes
* Costa Rica Phone Number: Yes
* Costa Rica Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: Yes
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like
yourbrand.link is allowed)
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No
**Additional Notes**:
* Senders are classified as local or international
* Gambling, political and adult content is forbidden
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **El Salvador**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Short Code
* Promotional SMS: Short Code
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way short code
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): No
* El Salvador Phone Number: Yes
* El Salvador Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No
**Additional Notes**:
* Senders are classified by local and international
* Long Code are supported only by Claro and Tigo
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **Guatemala**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Short Code
* Promotional SMS: Short Code
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way short code
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): No
* Guatemala Phone Number: Yes
* Guatemala Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 20:00-09:00)
**Additional Notes**:
* SMS traffic is allowed only from 8 AM to 8 PM local time
* Senders are classified by local and international
* Gambling, political, adult content are restricted
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **Honduras**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Long Code
* Promotional SMS: Long Code
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way long number
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): No
* Honduras Phone Number: Yes
* Honduras Short Code: No
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like
yourbrand.link is allowed)
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Sunday 20:00-08:00)
**Additional Notes**:
* Senders are classified as local or international
* Senders will be overwritten with a long code
* Gambling, political and adult content is forbidden
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **Mexico**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric
* Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric
* Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or
get a new one from Bird)
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): Yes
* Mexico Phone Number: Yes
* Mexico Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: Yes
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: Yes (Monday-Thursday 20:00-08:00, Friday-Sunday 20:00-18:00)
**Additional Notes**:
* If you choose not to maintain the Alpha Sender for your end-users, the messages will default to a Shared Short Code or a Dedicated Short Code if you have previously requested one
* For Mexico, you can request an Alpha Sender registration. If your Alpha Sender sends fewer than 100K messages monthly, there will be a monthly fee of $350 USD
* We have dedicated short codes available for 2-way traffic. It may be more cost-effective for customers to use their own WhatsApp number
* For Promotional Traffic: Allowed from 8:00 AM until 18:00 PM local time
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **Nicaragua**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Short Code
* Promotional SMS: Short Code
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way short code
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): No
* Nicaragua Phone Number: No
* Nicaragua Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No
**Additional Notes**: Gambling, political and adult content is forbidden
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
### **Panama**
**Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)**
* Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric
* Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric
* Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way short code
**Sender Types Supported**
* Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix"
that send one-way messages): No
* Panama Phone Number: Yes
* Panama Short Code: Yes
* International Phone Number: No
* Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your
brand): No
**Restrictions**
* Operator Registration Required: No
* Generic URL Shortening: Yes
* Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No
**Additional Notes**:
* Non-registered alphanumeric senders will be replaced with a long code by default
* Gambling, political and adult content is forbidden
**Opt-out Rules**: No specific opt-out regulations
---
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