Power Plug Guide Will your devices work abroad?

Travel adapter from Costa Rica to New Zealand

⚠️

Adapter Required

Yes — coming from Costa Rica, you will need a travel adapter for New Zealand. Costa Rica uses Type A/Type B plugs, and New Zealand uses Type I, so the pin shapes will not fit any wall socket. Voltages differ (120 V at home vs 230 V abroad), so check the label on each device. Most modern dual-voltage chargers handle the swing without a converter, but heating appliances usually do not. The mains frequency is also different (60 Hz vs 50 Hz). This rarely matters for electronics but can affect motor-driven devices like clocks and shavers.

Costa Rica (home)

Type A
Two flat parallel pins
Type B
Two flat pins + round ground

New Zealand (destination)

Type I
Two or three flat angled pins
About Type I ↗

Electrical specs

Costa Rica
120 V
60 Hz
⚡ Differs
New Zealand
230 V
50 Hz
⚡ Voltage converter may be needed. Check your device label — most modern electronics (phones, laptops) support 100–240 V and only need a plug adapter. Hair dryers, kettles, and older appliances may need a step-up or step-down converter.
〜 Frequency differs (60 Hz vs 50 Hz). Rarely an issue for most electronics, but can affect motor-driven devices like clocks and shavers.

More about plugs in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the standard power plug is Type I. The country runs on 230 volts at 50 Hz. That means every wall socket in New Zealand is the same shape — Type I, and your plug needs to physically match the socket to fit.

Full New Zealand plug guide →