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Costa Rica plug type: Complete adapter guide for travelers
Costa Rica uses plug types A and B at 120 voltage. Find out whether you need a travel adapter, a voltage converter, or both, and explore eSIM plans.
Costa Rica uses type A and B plugs with 120 volts, which are similar to the electrical standards of the United States and Canada.
Travelers from other regions need to prepare in advance. This guide covers everything you need to use your electronics in Costa Rica, including travel adapters and voltage converters.
It also breaks down your connectivity options, including eSIMs and monthly plans based on your trip length.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
What plug type does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica uses type A and type B plugs. Type A has two flat parallel pins, while type B adds a grounding pin to the same design.
This is the standard for North America, Central America, and several Caribbean and Latin American countries.
Voltage and frequency in Costa Rica
Costa Rica voltage is 120 at 60Hz, which is the same as in the United States and Canada.
This means travelers from these countries, and other 110-120V regions, won’t need to worry about their electronics.
However, travelers from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania might need more than a travel adapter as the standard is 220-230V there.
Do you need a travel adapter for Costa Rica?
If you’re traveling from the USA and Canada, and other countries where type A and B plugs are the standard, you won’t need a travel adapter to use Costa Rica outlets.
However, travelers from other regions will need a travel adapter to use plugs in Costa Rica, and it’s best to get a universal travel adapter that fits both type A and B outlets.
Do you need a voltage converter for Costa Rica?
Travelers from the USA and Canada won’t need to worry about their electronics as the voltage in Costa Rica is 120, which is the standard in both countries.
That means devices like hair appliances, electric trimmers, heat pads, and many others that are single-voltage, as well as phones, tablets, laptops, and so on, will work without needing a voltage converter.
However, travelers from other regions where 220V is the standard need to check whether their electronics are dual-voltage or single-voltage.
The best way to do this is to check the power supply label and then decide whether to buy a voltage converter or just a travel adapter.
Where to buy Costa Rica travel adapters
If you’re traveling from the UK, Europe, or other countries with different plug types, you can buy an adapter in:
- Before you travel: Order online or buy it at a local electronics store. Either buy a type A/B adapter or get a universal adapter for future trips.
- At the airport: Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaría or Liberia airports, you can buy a travel adapter, but these are usually overpriced.
- In Costa Rica: Easily found at local stores like AutoMercado, Walmart, and around touristy cities like Tamarindo and San José. Either way, better to come prepared, especially if arriving late.
Stay connected in Costa Rica with eSIM
Leaving electronics aside, you need to think about how to get mobile internet in Costa Rica, as you’ll need it to navigate around San José or Liberia, book a tour on the go, or simply translate things from Spanish.
You can use a SIM card for Costa Rica, but you’ll have to find a local store and go through the entire purchase and activation process, which might take some time.
Your best option is to get an eSIM for Costa Rica from Holafly, which offers unlimited data plans starting at $7.90 for 1 day, 24/7 customer support, up to 1 GB of hotspot data, and 5G coverage where available.
Alternatively, you could use Holafly Plans, a monthly subscription with plans ranging from $49.90 to $64.90, offering the same benefits as the Costa Rica eSIM, including up to unlimited hotspot data and a local phone number, depending on your plan.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Traveling to other destinations? Learn how to keep your electronics working there.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
