Colombia runs on the same electrical standard as the United States and Canada: 110V, 60Hz, with Type A and Type B plugs. If your devices come from North America, you can plug in on arrival without a thought. If you are travelling from the UK, Europe, Australia or most of Asia, you need a plug adapter, and for a few appliances a voltage check as well. This guide covers exactly what to pack, what is safe to plug in, and what to expect from sockets in Bogotá hotels, Caribbean beach hostels and remote coffee farms.
Plug types and sockets in Colombia
| Detail | Colombia |
|---|---|
| Plug types | Type A and Type B |
| Voltage | 110V (nominal range 110-120V) |
| Frequency | 60Hz |
| Socket shape | Two flat parallel pins; some have a round earth hole |
Type A has two flat parallel pins and no earth. Type B adds a round grounding pin below them. In practice, the majority of sockets in older buildings, budget hostels and Colombian homes accept only Type A plugs, with two slots and no earth hole. Newer hotels, airports and modern co-working spaces in MedellÃn and Bogotá increasingly fit three-hole sockets.
This matters if your laptop charger has a three-prong lead: it will not fit a two-slot socket. A simple grounded-to-ungrounded cheater adapter (about COP 5,000 to 10,000 at any ferreterÃa) solves it. Many Colombian sockets also loosely grip plugs, so a flimsy adapter can fall out of the wall. Choose a sturdy one.
Do I need an adapter or a converter?
An adapter only changes the shape of the pins. A converter or transformer changes the voltage. They are not the same, and mixing them up is the most common mistake.
From the USA, Canada or Mexico: no adapter, no converter. Your plugs fit and your devices are already built for 110V. The only snag is a three-pin plug in a two-slot socket, covered above.
From the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and most of Asia: you need a plug adapter, either a Type A/B adapter or a universal travel adapter. Check each device:
- Phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, e-readers, power banks and smartwatches: almost always dual voltage (input 100-240V, 50/60Hz). Adapter only.
- Electric toothbrushes and shavers: usually dual voltage, but read the label. A few European models are 230V only.
- Hair dryers, straighteners, kettles, irons and travel cookers: often single voltage (230V). They will not work properly on 110V, and plugging them in with a cheap adapter will not fix that. Leave them at home or buy a dual-voltage travel model.
- CPAP machines and medical equipment: check the manual. Most modern units are universal, but confirm before you fly.
If a label says INPUT: 100-240V~ 50/60Hz, you are fine with an adapter alone. If it says 230V~ 50Hz only, you need a converter, and only for short use.
Where to buy adapters and chargers in Colombia
Pack your adapter at home. The airport and big-city stores sell them, but quality varies. If you forget:
- Airports: El Dorado (Bogotá), José MarÃa Córdova (MedellÃn) and Rafael Núñez (Cartagena) have electronics and travel kiosks, with higher prices.
- Malls: Centro Comercial Santafé in Bogotá, Viva Envigado near MedellÃn and Mall Plaza El Castillo in Cartagena have tech retailers.
- Hardware stores (ferreterÃas): the cheapest option, with Type A adapters at roughly COP 10,000 to 30,000 as of 2026.
Bring a multi-port USB charger (65W or more is handy for laptops). It reduces the number of adapters you carry, and Colombian hostel dorms rarely have enough sockets near bunks.
Power quality, outages and surge protection
Colombia’s grid is generally reliable in cities, but there are specifics worth knowing:
- Voltage fluctuations happen in smaller towns and rural areas. A basic surge-protected power strip is worth the weight if you are working remotely or carrying expensive camera gear.
- Planned and unplanned cuts occur in the Caribbean coast, La Guajira, the Pacific coast (NuquÃ, BahÃa Solano) and Amazon towns such as Leticia. Some eco-lodges in Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada run on generators or solar with limited hours of charging. Ask your lodge about charging hours.
- Altitude and humidity: at 2,600 metres in Bogotá, sockets are rarely a problem, but in humid coastal towns keep chargers away from damp surfaces.
- Ciudad Perdida trek: there is no electricity along the route. Bring a power bank of at least 10,000mAh and a waterproof bag. See our Ciudad Perdida guide if you are planning it.
Packing checklist for power
- Universal or Type A/B plug adapter (carry two)
- Grounded-to-ungrounded adapter for laptop leads
- Multi-port USB charger and short cables
- Power bank (10,000mAh or higher; airlines cap at 100Wh in cabin luggage)
- Dual-voltage hair dryer or none at all
- Small surge-protected power strip for remote work stays
For the rest of your bag, see our what to pack for Colombia list, and read the first time in Colombia guide for planning basics. Staying online matters as much as staying charged, so consider an eSIM for Colombia before you land, and see our eSIM Colombia guide for plan comparisons.
Quick tips
- Do not plug in hair dryers from Europe or the UK. They are the number one cause of tripped breakers and burnt-out appliances.
- Check the socket before you travel. If you work remotely, ask the host whether the apartment has three-hole sockets.
- Keep devices unplugged during storms, particularly on the Caribbean coast in the wet season.
- Charge cameras and drones before remote trips to the Coffee Region, the Amazon or the Pacific coast.
Colombia is an easy country for travellers’ electronics. Bring a sturdy adapter, check labels for 100-240V and keep a power bank in your daypack, and you will not have a power problem anywhere from Bogotá to the Caribbean.