Travel Adapter for Costa Rica: Do You Need One? (Cuba → Costa Rica)Adapter Needed

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

Do you need a travel adapter for Costa Rica?

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

What plugs and sockets does Costa Rica use?

Costa Rica uses these power plug types: Type A: two flat parallel pins (ungrounded), the standard North American and Japanese plug; Type B: two flat pins plus a round grounding pin, common in North America. Outlets run at 120V and 60Hz. Since Cuba also uses Type A/B, your plugs already match.

Voltage and frequency in Costa Rica

Costa Rica runs on 120V at 60Hz, very close to Cuba (110V, 60Hz). 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 Costa Rica?

Phones, tablets, laptops, and camera chargers are nearly always dual-voltage (100-240V), so they work in Costa Rica 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 120V supply, though it's always worth a quick label check.

What travel adapter should you buy for Costa Rica?

Because Cuba and Costa Rica share Type A/B 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 Costa Rica

Many Costa Rica 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.