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

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 India, the plug types used are C, D and M. The voltage in India is 230 V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Type A

Type B

What are the plugs like in Costa Rica?

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

For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in Costa Rica are not compatible with the devices from India and you will not be able to use your devices.

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 India, the electrical voltage is 230 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.

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 India 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 will 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 India 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 India and Costa Rica have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is 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 India 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 India are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.

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 India, you will still need a plug adapter.

What happens if I connect a 230 V device to a 120 V socket without an adapter?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 230 V device from India 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.