ExploPlugs and voltage · North America
Plug type and voltage in Costa Rica
Costa Rica uses plug types A and B at 120 V and 60 Hz.
The short answer
Mains power in Costa Rica is 120 V at 60 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers usually accept 100 to 240 V, so they only need the right plug. Hair dryers, kettles and other single-voltage appliances need a matching voltage or a converter.
Do you need an adapter for Costa Rica?
It depends where you live. Here is how the plugs and voltage compare from the biggest travel markets.
| Travelling from | Their plugs | Plug | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Type A, B · 120 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
| Canada | Type A, B · 120 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
| United Kingdom | Type G · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| Germany | Type C, F · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| Australia | Type I · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| India | Type C, D, M · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| Japan | Type A, B · 100 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
| China | Type A, C, I · 220 V | Some plugs fit | Different |
| Brazil | Type C, N · 127 or 220 V | Adapter needed | Same range |
| South Africa | Type D, M, N · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| United Arab Emirates | Type G · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| Mexico | Type A, B · 120 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
A plug "fits" when it goes into the socket without an adapter. Shapes in one family work together, like a two-pin type C plug in a type E or F socket. Earthed devices can lose their earth connection.
Countries with the same plugs as Costa Rica
One adapter covers all of these: they use type A and B at 120 V.
Questions
What plug type does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica uses types A and B: type A is two flat pins, type B is two flat pins and a round earth pin.
What voltage is Costa Rica?
120 V at 60 Hz.
Do I need an adapter for Costa Rica from the United States?
No: plugs from the United States fit the sockets in Costa Rica. The voltage is in the same range, so single-voltage devices are fine too.
Do I need an adapter for Costa Rica from the UK?
Yes: the UK uses type G, Costa Rica uses types A and B. A type G to local adapter is cheap and easy to find.
Can I use my phone or laptop charger in Costa Rica?
Most modern phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 V, so they work on 120 V and only need the right plug. Check the small print on the charger. Hair dryers, kettles and shavers are often single-voltage: check them first.
How reliable is this?
The plug data is hand-curated from the Explo app and is a good first answer. Hotels often have universal sockets, and older buildings can differ: confirm before you fly.
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