How Does Electricity & Plugs Work in Colombia?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Colombia uses Type A and B plugs at 110V/60Hz — the same as the USA and Canada; European visitors need both an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
2What You Need to Know
North American travelers (USA, Canada, Mexico) can use their devices in Colombia without any adapter or converter. European, Australian, and other visitors using 220V devices need a plug adapter and may need a voltage converter for devices that don't support dual voltage (check your device label — most modern electronics and phone chargers handle 100–240V automatically). Power outages are uncommon in cities but more frequent in rural and remote areas.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Check your device chargers for '100–240V' input — most modern laptops, phone chargers, and camera chargers are dual-voltage and only need a plug adapter, not a converter.
- 2European visitors should bring a Type A/B adapter (widely available and cheap); two-pin European plugs will not fit Colombian sockets.
- 3Carry a small power strip with a USB hub — Colombian hotels sometimes have limited outlets, and it's useful for charging multiple devices from one socket.
How does this compare?
Electricity & Plugs rules in nearby and similar countries:
Mexico uses Type A and B plugs at 127V/60Hz — identical to the USA and Canada, so North Americans need no adapter whatsoever.
Brazil uses Type N plugs (two round pins plus a grounding pin) as its national standard, but voltage varies by city — São Paulo and Rio are 127V while many other cities are 220V.
Canada uses Type A and Type B plugs (same as the USA) at 120V/60Hz — North American devices work perfectly; European and UK devices need an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
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