Plug Type and Travel Adapter Guide for Costa Rica

Plug types used in Costa Rica

Costa Rica uses 2 plug types: Type A and B. Of these, Type A and B are not used in India, so you'll need a travel adapter for those sockets.

Type A

Type A: Features two parallel, flat pins.

Type B

Type B: Includes two flat pins and one round grounding pin.

Main Voltage in Costa Rica

Do I Need a Voltage Converter in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica runs on a main voltage of 120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz, significantly lower than India's 230V/50Hz. This matters: any single-voltage Indian appliance (typical hair dryers, straighteners, immersion rods, electric kettles) will not run properly at 120V and may not heat up at all. To use them safely, you would need a step-up voltage converter. Dual-voltage devices like almost all phone chargers, laptop adapters and modern cameras are unaffected and only need a plug adapter.

Will my Indian charger work in Costa Rica?

Your charger will work, but only with a plug adapter. Costa Rica uses Type A and B sockets at 120V/60Hz. Your Indian phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage (the label reads 100–240V), so they handle Costa Rica voltage without any issue. The only question is plug shape — your Indian plug will not fit Type A and B sockets at all, so you must carry a travel adapter. Your charger is dual-voltage and handles 120V safely, but single-voltage devices like hair dryers will not work.