Charging the mobile phone when planning a trip to Costa Rica

Using Micro USB Type B cord with a Type A USB charger to charge your mobile phone with a Costa Rican power outlet and how to charge any mobile phone using a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

Costa Rican power outlet

Complicated combinations of voltages and sockets can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of standards being used in the world this article tells you exactly what to buy in advance to power your mobile phone . This guide has been written to stop you having to worry if you'll be able to charge the mobile phone when you are going abroad.The following guide tells you exactly what you'll need to power your mobile phone when travelling to Costa Rica using the types B or A 120 volt 60Hz wall outlets, please note Type B power outlets will be used by a majority of Costa Ricans. You will discover that power supplies change depending on which region you are in therefore we recommend reading the World power supplies page for a complete list of regions and countries. If the mobile phone charges slowly or does not power up when you are visiting Costa Rica from another country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which come from a country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) may take longer to charge or won't turn on, so check the mobile phone is dual voltage (usually marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you plan to stay in a destination such as San José read the Costa Rica Wikipedia page [1] for further details.

These instructions are for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For all the latest phones visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Costa Rica

Can you use any mobile phone in Costa Rica?

You can use any mobile phone in Costa Rica by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Costa Rica?

If you are travelling with more than your mobile phone or visiting more than one country the best international travel adapter for Costa Rica is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Costa Ricans use two different types of power outlets (types B and A) and using a travel adapter like this will ensure that you are covered for type A. As these chargers come with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB travel chargers, and additional support for more power demanding devices like tablets. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to charge more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Costa Rican trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only needing a single USB travel charger will help keep the overall size down, making it ideal to fold up and store in hand luggage while travelling as well as being suitable for charging your mobile phone at the airport or on your flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple smartphones and tablets with just a single power outlet.

For those travelling to Costa Rica we suggest searching for a flexible power charger like this at your preferred electronics retailer. The multipurpose power adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Costa Rica

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, North America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America visiting Costa Rica.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from the US using type B plugs. This is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it suitable for a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Costa Rica. [7] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging any mobile phone in Costa Rica?

How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Costa Rican power outlet

Using Micro USB Type B cord with a Type A USB charger to charge your mobile phone with a Costa Rican power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the mobile phone using the Costa Rican power outlet you will need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin the process by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. This unearthed power supply (sometimes called the Type A power outlet [2]) is identified by the 2 thin slots next to each other where the twin plug outlet blades slide into.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Costa Rican power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type A power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Costa Rican power outlet

Powering any mobile phone with a Costa Rican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Using Type B USB Micro cable and a 3 pin Type B power adapter to recharge any mobile phone with a Costa Rican power outlet.

  1. To charge your mobile phone from a Costa Rican power outlet you'll need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the Costa Rican power outlet. The power outlet (technically called the Type B power outlet [5]) is identified by the 2 thin slots next to each other where the short twin blades slide into with a semicircle hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the Type B USB Micro cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone to charge with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can typically be found either on the side or bottom of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Costa Rican power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Powering any mobile phone with a Costa Rican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Costa Rica Wikipedia page
  2. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  3. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  6. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  7. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..