Plug adapters / Costa Rica
Do I need a plug adapter for Costa Rica?
No. Costa Rica uses type A and B sockets, the same shapes as the United States, so your plugs fit as they are. The supply is 120 V at 60 Hz, in the same range as the US.
What to pack for Costa Rica
Nothing extra for the sockets. At 120 V, phones, laptops and most small appliances from the US work as they do at home.
IEC World Plugs page could not be fetched (2 attempts failed); values from WorldStandards.eu country page fetched 2026-10-19.
About type A and B sockets
Types A and B are the US and Canadian standard: two flat pins, with a round earth pin on type B. Being able to plug straight in is convenient, but it also hides any voltage difference, so check the number on the charger rather than the shape of the socket.
Voltage and frequency in Costa Rica: 120 V, 60 Hz
At 120 V, Costa Rica is within the range US devices are built for, so everything from a phone charger to a hair dryer works as it does at home. The frequency is 60 Hz, the same as the US, so there is nothing to think about on that side.
Same sockets elsewhere
Mexico, Canada, Dominican Republic, Japan, Colombia and Jamaica use at least one of the same socket types as Costa Rica, so one adapter covers a trip that includes them.
- Mexico: type A/B, 127 V
- Canada: type A/B, 120 V
- Dominican Republic: type A/B, 120 V
- Japan: type A/B, 100 V
- Colombia: type A/B, 110 V
- Jamaica: type A/B, 110 V
Data for the same trip
While you are packing: how much mobile data a week in Costa Rica needs, and which eSIM plans cover it.
Frequently asked questions
What plug type does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica uses type A and B sockets. US type A and B plugs fit without an adapter.
What voltage is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica supplies 120 V at 60 Hz. That is in the same range as the US 120 V, so US devices work as at home.
Do I need a voltage converter for Costa Rica?
No. The voltage in Costa Rica is in the US range, so no converter is needed for any device.
Will my phone charger work in Costa Rica?
Yes, provided it is marked 100–240 V, which almost every phone charger is. No adapter is needed because the sockets take US plugs.
Socket type, voltage and frequency: WorldStandards.eu country page, cross-checked 2026-10-19 against the Mains electricity by country table. The IEC retired its World Plugs guide in 2026.