Updated Date:
Author: How to Peru Editorial Team
Traveling to Peru and wondering whether you can charge your phone, laptop, camera or other devices? The most important thing to know is that Peru uses 220V electricity at 60Hz and a mixture of flat- and round-pin electrical outlets.
The plug may look familiar, especially if you’re traveling from the United States or Canada, but the voltage is different. Always check the voltage printed on your charger or appliance before plugging it in.
Quick Summary: Peru uses 220V electricity at 60Hz. Type A outlets with two flat pins and Type C outlets with two round pins are widely used, while Type B grounded outlets can also appear in newer buildings and hotels. Many hotels use hybrid sockets that accept both flat and round plugs.
The safest choice for most international travelers is a good-quality universal travel adapter, particularly if your trip includes several countries in South America.
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The electrical outlets in Peru can initially be confusing because the country uses both North American-style flat plugs and European-style round plugs.
Many hotels and other buildings also have hybrid electrical outlets designed to accept more than one plug type.
Type A plugs have two flat parallel pins. This is the familiar two-prong plug used by many devices in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Japan.
If your charger has two equal-sized flat prongs, it will fit many Peru electrical outlets without a plug adapter.
However, some older or non-polarized Type A sockets in Peru may not accept a polarized North American plug where one flat blade is wider than the other.
There is also an important difference that is easy to miss: even when your US-style plug physically fits the outlet, Peru’s electricity is 220V rather than the 110-120V commonly supplied in North America.
Always check the voltage rating before plugging your device in.
Type B uses two flat pins plus a third round grounding pin.
These grounded outlets can be found in Peru, particularly in newer buildings and some hotels, but you should not assume every room will have one.
A two-prong Type A plug normally fits a Type B outlet, but a three-prong Type B plug will not fit a two-slot Type A outlet.
If you’re traveling with a laptop charger or another three-prong device from the United States or Canada, carrying a compact universal adapter is a good idea.
Type C is the familiar European-style plug with two round pins.
It is widely encountered in Peru and is particularly common in combination outlets that accept both Type A flat pins and Type C round pins.
Travelers from many continental European countries may therefore find that their two-pin Type C chargers plug directly into some Peruvian outlets.
However, not every socket in Peru accepts Type C, so bringing a small adapter is still sensible.
One thing that makes Peru different from many destinations is the number of hybrid sockets designed to accept both flat Type A and round Type C plugs.
This is what many travelers will see in hotels, restaurants and other tourist areas.
A hybrid electrical outlet in Peru accepting both round- and flat-pronged plugs. Photo © Tony Dunnell.
A Type A power plug with two flat parallel prongs, commonly used in Peru. Photo © Tony Dunnell.
Peru’s standard electrical supply is 220 volts at 60 hertz.
This is especially important for travelers from the United States, Canada and other countries where domestic electricity is normally around 110-120V.
A plug fitting into the wall does not automatically mean the appliance is safe to use.
Before plugging anything in, check the label on the device or its charger.
If you see something similar to:
INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60Hz
the charger is designed to work across that entire voltage range and can normally be used safely with Peru’s electrical supply.
Most modern smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras and USB chargers are designed this way.
If the label says only:
110V or 120V
do not connect it directly to a normal 220V outlet in Peru.
Whether you need a power adapter depends on the shape of your plug.
A travel adapter changes the physical shape of the connection so your plug fits into the wall socket.
A travel adapter does not change the voltage.
You may need an adapter if:
Even travelers whose plugs usually fit Peru’s outlets may find a universal adapter useful because outlet designs vary between hotels and buildings.
An adapter and a voltage converter do two completely different jobs.
Adapter: changes the plug shape.
Voltage converter: changes the electrical voltage.
You normally do not need a converter if your device says:
100-240V, 50/60Hz
You may need a converter if the device is rated only for 110V or 120V.
This is particularly important with higher-powered appliances such as:
If an appliance is not designed for 220V, plugging it directly into a Peru electrical outlet can damage the appliance and create a safety risk.
For high-wattage appliances such as hair dryers, also check the maximum wattage supported by the converter. A small converter designed for phone chargers may not safely handle a powerful hair dryer.
When possible, bringing a dual-voltage appliance or using a suitable appliance provided by your hotel is usually easier than traveling with a heavy voltage converter.
Most modern phone chargers work in Peru.
Check the small print on the charger. If it says:
Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz
it is compatible with Peru’s 220V/60Hz electricity.
You only need to make sure the charger’s plug physically fits the outlet.
For an iPhone, Android phone or other USB-powered device, it is normally the wall charger rather than the phone itself that determines voltage compatibility.
If the wall plug does not fit, use a travel adapter. You do not need a voltage converter when the charger is rated for 100-240V.
Most modern laptop chargers are also designed for international voltage.
Look at the power brick or charger for a rating such as:
INPUT: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz
If you see that range, the charger can handle Peru’s electricity.
You may still need a plug adapter depending on the shape of the wall plug.
Travelers using a grounded three-prong charger should be aware that not every Peruvian electrical outlet has a grounding connection. A universal travel adapter can help with physical compatibility, but it does not create proper grounding where the outlet itself has none.
Often, yes, but there is an important catch.
Peru uses Type A flat-pin outlets, so many two-prong US chargers physically fit without an adapter.
However:
United States electricity is generally around 120V, while Peru uses 220V.
Check your charger’s input rating before connecting it.
If the device says 100-240V, it normally works safely.
If it says only 110V or 120V, you need a voltage converter suitable for that device.
Three-prong US Type B plugs may also require an adapter because not every Peru electrical outlet accepts the grounding pin.
For that reason, we recommend US travelers bring a small universal adapter even if most of their two-prong chargers are likely to fit.
Type C Europlugs with two round pins fit many electrical outlets in Peru.
European travelers should still carry an adapter because Peru also uses Type A flat-pin sockets and not every accommodation will provide a Type C or hybrid outlet.
Most European electronics are designed for approximately 220-240V, so voltage is normally less of a concern than it is for travelers from North America.
However, Peru operates at 60Hz while much of Europe uses 50Hz. Most modern chargers are rated 50/60Hz and work normally, but specialized motors, clocks or older appliances should be checked individually.
Standard UK Type G plugs do not fit normal Type A or Type C outlets in Peru.
Travelers from the UK should bring a travel adapter.
The good news is that UK devices are normally designed for around 230V, which is close to Peru’s 220V electrical supply.
For most modern devices, the physical plug shape is therefore the main issue.
Always check the charger’s voltage and frequency rating before use.
Australian and New Zealand Type I plugs do not normally fit Peru’s Type A or Type C outlets.
Bring a travel adapter.
Australia and New Zealand use a similar high-voltage electrical system, so most devices will not require a voltage converter. Check the device label to confirm it supports 220V and 60Hz.
If you’re confused about what to pack, remember:
The plug doesn’t fit → adapter.
The voltage isn’t compatible → converter.
The plug doesn’t fit AND the voltage isn’t compatible → you need both, or a combined unit designed for your appliance.
For phones, tablets, cameras and laptops, check the charger first. If it says 100-240V, a plug adapter is normally all you need.
Some four- and five-star hotels in Peru provide 110V outlets, sometimes specifically for low-powered bathroom appliances such as electric shavers.
Do not assume your hotel will have one.
Normal electrical outlets throughout Peru should be treated as 220V unless they are clearly labeled otherwise.
If you are bringing an important 110V-only appliance, contact your hotel before traveling rather than relying on a special outlet being available.
Electricity in Peru’s major cities and tourist destinations is generally straightforward to use, but travelers may encounter older or worn sockets.
Avoid using a wall outlet if it:
Avoid forcing a plug into an outlet that does not fit.
A poor-quality adapter can also become loose in older sockets, so bring a well-made travel adapter rather than the cheapest option available.
A power bank is useful as a backup, particularly on long travel days or when staying somewhere with limited outlets.
Hotels in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and other major tourist destinations generally provide electrical outlets in guest rooms, although the number and type of sockets varies considerably between properties.
A compact universal adapter with multiple USB or USB-C ports is useful if you are traveling with several devices.
For long overland journeys, carry a charged power bank rather than relying entirely on onboard power.
Peru Hop buses generally provide USB charging, which can be useful on long routes, but keeping a power bank as a backup is still sensible in case an individual port is unavailable.
For most travelers, a compact universal travel adapter is the simplest option.
Look for one that:
Remember that even an expensive universal adapter normally does not convert voltage.
If you are bringing a 110V-only appliance, check whether the adapter also includes a true voltage converter and whether that converter can handle the appliance’s wattage.
Peru mainly uses Type A outlets with two flat pins and Type C outlets with two round pins. Type B grounded outlets can also be found, particularly in newer buildings and some hotels. Hybrid sockets that accept both flat and round plugs are common.
Peru uses 220V electricity at a frequency of 60Hz. Travelers from countries using 110-120V should always check their device’s voltage rating before plugging it in.
The most common power plugs in Peru are Type A, with two flat parallel pins, and Type C, with two round pins. Type B grounded plugs are also encountered in some locations.
It depends on your plug. US-style two-prong Type A plugs often fit, and European Type C plugs fit many outlets. Travelers with UK Type G, Australian Type I or other plug types should bring an adapter. A universal adapter is useful because outlet types vary.
Not always. Many American two-prong Type A plugs physically fit Peru electrical outlets. However, some sockets only accept Type C plugs and three-prong Type B plugs may not fit everywhere, so bringing a small universal adapter is recommended.
No. Peru uses 220V while the United States generally uses around 120V. Even if your American plug fits a Peru outlet, check the device label before connecting it.
Yes, in most cases. Modern Apple chargers are designed for international voltage ranges, but check your specific charger’s input label for 100-240V and 50/60Hz. You may need a plug adapter depending on the outlet.
Most modern laptop chargers support 100-240V and work with Peru’s 220V electricity. Check the input rating on the charger and use a plug adapter if its plug does not fit the outlet.
You need a voltage converter only when your appliance cannot safely operate on Peru’s 220V supply. Devices marked 100-240V normally do not need one.
Do not plug a 110V-only hair dryer directly into a normal Peru outlet. You need a voltage converter rated for the dryer’s wattage, or preferably use a dual-voltage hair dryer or one supplied by your accommodation.
Partly. Peru uses Type C two-round-pin outlets found throughout continental Europe, but it also uses Type A flat-pin outlets. European travelers should still carry an adapter because outlet styles vary.
No. UK Type G plugs do not normally fit Peru’s Type A or Type C outlets, so UK travelers need a plug adapter.
Some newer hotels provide dedicated USB or USB-C charging ports, but this is not guaranteed. Bring your normal charger and an appropriate travel adapter rather than relying on USB outlets being available.
The national electrical supply is 220V/60Hz, but the physical sockets found in individual hotels and buildings can vary. Type A, Type C and combination outlets are common, so carrying a universal adapter is the easiest solution.
For most travelers, the safest and simplest combination is:
The key point is not to judge compatibility by plug shape alone. Peru’s Type A sockets can look exactly like outlets in North America while supplying 220V.
Check the voltage printed on your devices before your trip and you should have no trouble keeping your electronics charged throughout Peru.
If you’re still planning your route, Peru Hop is a useful option for travelers visiting destinations such as Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno and Cusco, with flexible travel and onboard charging available on its network.
For the Cusco to Puno route, see Inka Express for the full-day Sun Route experience.
Heading to Rainbow Mountain? See Rainbow Mountain Travels for current tour information.
