Power Plug Guide

Travel adapter from Costa Rica to Uruguay

Compare the plug shapes, voltage and frequency in Costa Rica and Uruguay, and find out which adapter you need before you travel.

Adapter required

Yes — coming from Costa Rica, you will need a travel adapter for Uruguay. Costa Rica uses Type A/Type B plugs, and Uruguay uses Type C/Type F/Type L, 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.

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.

Costa Rica (home)

Type A Two flat parallel pins 100–127V Type B Two flat pins + round ground 100–127V

Uruguay (destination)

Type C Two round pins (Europlug) 220–240V Type F Two round pins + side earth contacts 220–240V Type L Three round pins in a row 220–240V

Electrical specifications in Uruguay

Voltage
Costa Rica 120 V
Uruguay 230 V
Differs
Frequency
Costa Rica 60 Hz
Uruguay 50 Hz
Differs

More about plugs in Uruguay

In Uruguay, the standard power plug is Type C and Type F and Type L. The country runs on 230 volts at 50 Hz. That means wall sockets in Uruguay can be one of 3 different shapes — Type C, Type F, Type L, and your plug needs to physically match the socket to fit.

Full Uruguay plug guide