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Costa Rica: plug type, voltage, and travel adapter guide

Plug types
Type A
Type B
Voltage
120V
Frequency
60Hz

Costa Rica uses Type A, Type B outlets at 120V, 60Hz.

Do travellers to Costa Rica need an adapter?

It depends where you're coming from. Here's what we'd pack from the most common origins. Click any row for the full per-pair breakdown.

From Plug adapter Voltage converter Full guide
United States
Type A, B · 120V
 Not needed Not needed United States → Costa Rica
Canada
Type A, B · 120V
 Not needed Not needed Canada → Costa Rica
United Kingdom
Type G · 230V
 Needed Check devices United Kingdom → Costa Rica
Australia
Type I · 230V
 Needed Check devices Australia → Costa Rica
Germany
Type C, F · 230V
 Needed Check devices Germany → Costa Rica
France
Type C, E · 230V
 Needed Check devices France → Costa Rica
Italy
Type C, F, L · 230V
 Needed Check devices Italy → Costa Rica
Spain
Type C, F · 230V
 Needed Check devices Spain → Costa Rica
Netherlands
Type C, F · 230V
 Needed Check devices Netherlands → Costa Rica
Ireland
Type G · 230V
 Needed Check devices Ireland → Costa Rica
Switzerland
Type C, J · 230V
 Needed Check devices Switzerland → Costa Rica
Belgium
Type C, E · 230V
 Needed Check devices Belgium → Costa Rica

Frequently asked

What type of plug does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica uses Type A and Type B outlets at 120V, 60Hz.
What's the voltage in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica runs on 120V at 60Hz — that's the low-voltage standard. Dual-voltage devices (most phones, laptops, modern chargers labelled "100-240V") work as-is. Single-voltage devices like hair dryers, curling irons, and travel kettles do not without a converter.
Do I need a travel adapter for Costa Rica?
Only if your home country uses a different plug type. Travellers from any country whose plugs aren't Type A/B will need an adapter. Use the table above or the calculator to check your specific pair.

Check a specific pair

Not coming from one of the origins above? Drop your actual starting country in and we'll compute the verdict for you.