Travel Adapter for Burkina Faso: Do You Need One? (Chile → Burkina Faso)Adapter Needed

Traveling from Chile to Burkina Faso means crossing into a different electrical system. Here's a complete breakdown of the sockets, voltage, and the right adapter to bring for Burkina Faso, so nothing you packed ends up useless at the hotel.

Do you need a travel adapter for Burkina Faso?

Good news: you generally don't need a plug adapter. Both Chile and Burkina Faso use Type C outlets, so your existing plugs should fit Burkina Faso's sockets directly. A universal adapter is still worth keeping in your bag as a backup for future trips.

What plugs and sockets does Burkina Faso use?

Burkina Faso uses these power plug types: Type C (Europlug): two round pins, ungrounded, and the most widely used plug across Europe; Type E: two round pins with a hole for the grounding pin in the socket, used in France and Belgium. Outlets run at 220V and 50Hz. Since Chile also uses Type C, your plugs already match.

Voltage and frequency in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso runs on 220V at 50Hz, the same as Chile (220V, 50Hz). That means voltage isn't a concern here, since your appliances won't be over- or under-powered, so no voltage converter is needed.

Will your devices work in Burkina Faso?

Phones, tablets, laptops, and camera chargers are nearly always dual-voltage (100-240V), so they work in Burkina Faso with just your existing plug, and no converter is required. Even heat-based appliances like hair dryers and straighteners should run fine given the matching 220V supply, though it's always worth a quick label check.

What travel adapter should you buy for Burkina Faso?

Because Chile and Burkina Faso share Type C outlets, you don't need a special adapter for this trip. A universal travel adapter is still a smart, inexpensive backup if you plan to travel elsewhere, and the better ones add USB-C fast charging to free up your charger.

Tips for charging your devices in Burkina Faso

Many Burkina Faso hotel bathrooms have a low-wattage "shaver only" socket that is fine for razors and toothbrushes but not for charging phones or running hair dryers. Use the main wall outlets with your adapter for everything else.