How Does Electricity & Plugs Work in Costa Rica?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Costa Rica uses Type A and B plugs at 120V/60Hz — identical to the United States and Canada, so North American visitors need no adapter.
2What You Need to Know
The electrical system in Costa Rica is the same as the United States and Canada: Type A (two flat parallel pins) and Type B (two flat pins plus a round grounding pin) sockets at 120 volts and 60Hz. European, Australian, and most international visitors will need a Type A/B adapter, available cheaply at airport shops and hardware stores. Power outages (apagones) are infrequent in urban areas but more common in rural and remote zones, particularly during heavy rainy season storms. Surge protectors are a sensible addition for protecting electronic devices especially in rural lodges.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1North American travelers need zero adapters — your US or Canadian plugs work everywhere in Costa Rica.
- 2European and UK visitors: pick up a cheap Type A/B adapter at the airport on arrival.
- 3Rural eco-lodges sometimes use solar or generator power — charge devices whenever you have stable grid access.
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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