Travel adapter from Norway to Costa Rica — do you need one?

Q: What plug is used in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica uses Type A and Type B plugs at 120 V, 60 Hz.

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

Adapter required

Yes — coming from Norway, you will need a travel adapter for Costa Rica. Norway uses Type C/Type F plugs, and Costa Rica uses Type A/Type B, so the pin shapes will not fit any wall socket. Voltages differ (230 V at home vs 120 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 (50 Hz vs 60 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 (50 Hz vs 60 Hz). Rarely an issue for most electronics, but can affect motor-driven devices like clocks and shavers.

Norway (home)

Type C Two round pins (Europlug) 220–240V Type F Two round pins + side earth contacts 220–240V

Costa Rica (destination)

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

Electrical specifications in Costa Rica

Voltage

Norway 230 V

Costa Rica 120 V

Differs

Frequency

Norway 50 Hz

Costa Rica 60 Hz

Differs

More about plugs in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the standard power plug is Type A and Type B. The country runs on 120 volts at 60 Hz. That means wall sockets in Costa Rica can be one of 2 different shapes — Type A, Type B, and your plug needs to physically match the socket to fit.

Full Costa Rica plug guide