We answer your burning questions about electricity in Peru, so you can keep your devices safely charged throughout your trip. Find out if your device will fit in Peru outlets and plugs, learn the voltage, and know whether or not you need to pack an adapter or converter (or both).
Content
Outlets in Peru
Voltage in Peru
Power Outages and Electrical Surges
Outlets in Peru
There are three different types of electrical outlets in Peru. One outlet (Type A) accepts a flat parallel two-prong plug, and another (Type B) takes a three-prong plug. Outlets A and B are the same as those found in the United States. The third type of outlet (Type C) accepts a circular two-prong plug.
In Peru, you may also come across a hybrid outlet for Type A and Type C. This outlet accepts both flat and circular two-prong plugs.
Do I need an adapter or converter for electricity?
Peru uses 220 volt electricity, so visitors will need a converter for 110 volt devices. Most plugs in Peru are the two-pronged flat type found in the US, but a three-pronged and a two-pronged circular type are also found. An adapter may be necessary depending on which type your devices use.
While hotels generally have two different types of outlets, it is usually best to just come prepared with an adapter for all situations. If you’re coming from Europe or elsewhere, an adapter is a must. If you don’t have time to buy an adapter before your trip, pick one up at the airport or in Peru at a ferretería (hardware store) near your hotel. Adapters are inexpensive, and some have USB outlets so you can charge more than one electronic device at a time.
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It’s also important to understand that an adapter is not the same as a converter. Adapters allow you to plug your devices into a foreign outlet, but they don’t convert the voltage of electricity. To learn more about converters, continue reading the next section.
Voltage in Peru
Electricity in Peru is provided at 220 volts. This is the same as Europe, but very different from the United States and Canada that run on 110-120 volts.
Luckily many personal electronics that you bring to Peru can run on both 110 volts and 220 volts. These dual voltage devices include cell phones, tablets, and camera chargers. Other appliances, such as hairdryers, are more likely to be limited to one of the two.
The voltage of an appliance is written on the power label, and we don’t advise going against what the manufacturer says. Plugging a 110V hairdryer into a 220V power supply can result in smoking or even a few sparks. Avoid this unsafe scenario and save your hairdryer or any other 110V appliance you want to bring by using a voltage converter. You can buy a two-in-one travel converter and adapter (if you need both in Peru), which we’d advise doing before you leave. In order to check if your device is compatible with both voltage types please use this guide to understand where you might find the input limitations of your charger.
Power Outages and Electrical Surges
Are there power outages in Peru? The answer depends on where you are in the country.
Electricity in the capital of Lima is steady. Power outages occur, but they tend to be planned for maintenance. Many established hotels in Lima’s tourist-friendly districts (Miraflores and Barranco) have backup generators, so if the electricity is cut, the lights stay on and elevators continue to operate.
Power outages tend to be more frequent in more remote regions of Peru. Unlike Lima along the desert coast, the city of Cusco is tucked away in the Andes Mountains and experiences more extreme seasonal changes. Power outages are more common in Cusco during the wet season when heavy rains can damage power lines or cause other issues.
Electrical surges can occur randomly after an electricity outage. Protect your devices – no matter where you are in Peru – with an adapter or converter that has a built-in surge protector.
We recommend checking your electronics before going on your trip. Planning with the right accessories pays off. Our team of travel experts is here to customize yourPeru vacation and answer any more questions you have about using electrical devices in Peru. Contact us today.
Nick bought a one way ticket to Sao Paolo on impulse after graduating from college and ended up living and teaching in Mendoza, Argentina for a couple of years. That was just the beginning though: he’s fished his way through Patagonia, visited every province of Bolivia (including 6 months in La Paz and a couple in the jungle) and most of Peru and Chile, in the process racking up more than 20 000 miles in overnight buses. He’s back home now, but his bond with Latin America is stronger than ever.
