Power Plugs and Sockets in Costa Rica - Do You Need an Adapter?

If you are travelling to Costa Rica 🇨🇷 from Bolivia 🇧🇴, then IT DEPENDS.

You are not from Bolivia 🇧🇴? Click here to change country.

In Costa Rica, the plug types used are A and B. The voltage is 120 V with a frequency of 60Hz. On the other hand, in Bolivia, the plug types used are A and C. The voltage in Bolivia is 220 V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Type A Socket Type A Plug

Type A

Type B Socket Type B Plug

Type B

✅ Your devices from Bolivia of type A will be valid and will work without an adapter.

⚠️ Your devices from Bolivia of type C will not be valid for any socket and you will need an adapter.

⚠️ Be careful with the voltage difference. In Costa Rica they use 120 V while in Bolivia you have 220 V.

What are the plugs like in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, the predominant plug types are A and B. If you are coming from Bolivia, then your devices are of type A or C.

In this sense, you will have to be more careful. Depending on where you stay, you may find valid plugs for your devices or not. We recommend that you always buy an adapter to avoid any worries.

[/su_box]

Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Costa Rica?

It is important to know that in Costa Rica the electrical voltage is 120 V, with a frequency of 60Hz. In Bolivia, the electrical voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50Hz.

Due to the large voltage difference, you will need to use a voltage converter to use your devices in Costa Rica. However, it is important to mention that nowadays many electronic devices (such as mobile phones) are dual voltage, in which case a converter would not be necessary. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, we show you how to verify if your devices are dual voltage.

Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in Costa Rica.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to Costa Rica.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in Costa Rica?

If you are travelling from Bolivia to Costa Rica, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you may need an adapter in Costa Rica to charge your iPhone or Android.

Can I plug in my laptop charger in Costa Rica?

If you are travelling from Bolivia to Costa Rica, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Bolivia and Costa Rica have incompatible plug types, so an adapter may be necessary to charge your laptop in Costa Rica.

Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in Costa Rica?

The truth is that you have to be careful with products like hair dryers or hair straighteners, because they are generally not dual voltage. Since the voltage difference is so great between Bolivia and Costa Rica, we recommend buying a voltage adapter to be able to use your hair dryer safely in Costa Rica.

However, since the plugs in Costa Rica and Bolivia are not fully compatible, we recommend that you acquire a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer with peace of mind.

How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?

To know if your electrical device is dual voltage, you must check the label or product specifications. If the label indicates a voltage range, such as 100~240V and a frequency range like 50~60Hz, then your device is dual voltage and can be used without any problems. If your device is not dual voltage, then you will need a voltage converter to be able to use it in sockets in Costa Rica with a different voltage than your device.

However, remember that dual voltage only affects the voltage and frequency.Since you are travelling to Costa Rica from Bolivia and there is not full compatibility, you may still need a plug adapter.

Dual Voltage Plug

What happens if I connect a 220 V device to a 120 V socket without an adapter?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 220 V device from Bolivia to a 120 V socket in Costa Rica without a voltage adapter. Doing this poses a great danger and the device could cause a fire. Before travelling to Costa Rica, make sure you have a voltage adapter.

What happens if I connect a 50Hz device to a 60Hz socket without an adapter?

When connecting a 50Hz device to a 60Hz socket in Costa Rica without a frequency adapter, the worst that can happen is that the device may run at a faster speed than expected. Most electronic devices nowadays should not be damaged, but it is true that in older devices, the motors could heat up and risk being damaged.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *