Traveling To Bolivia? Don't Forget Your Converter!

If you're travelling to Bolivia, you'll need to bring a set of plug adapters and/or voltage converters for your electric and electronic items. Bolivia has two electrical systems: almost the entire country has 220V voltage, but La Paz is the exception and has 110V voltage. Plug types in Bolivia are type A, which has two flat parallel pins, and type C, which has two round pins. The standard voltage is 115 / 230 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. If you're travelling from the US, you'll need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type A and C in Bolivia. If you're travelling from the UK, Europe, Australia, or most of Asia and Africa, you won't need a voltage converter as these countries use the same volt outlets as Bolivia.

Plug types in Bolivia

If you're travelling to Bolivia, it's important to know which types of power plugs and sockets (also known as outlets) are used in the country. In Bolivia, there are two associated plug types: type A and type C. Plug type A has two flat parallel pins, while plug type C has two round pins.

It's worth noting that Bolivia has two electrical systems, with most of the country operating on 220-230V voltage, while the city of La Paz uses 110V voltage. This means that you may need to bring a set of plug adapters and/or voltage converters for your electric and electronic items.

When packing your adapters and converters, consider the following:

• Check the voltage requirements of your devices. If they are dual voltage devices, they can adjust to voltages between 110 and 240V automatically and you will only need a plug adapter.
• If your devices are single voltage rated, they will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage in Bolivia. In this case, you will need a voltage converter to allow your devices to work safely.
• Some older buildings in La Paz may still use 110V outlets, so always double-check the voltage before using your devices.
• The frequency in Bolivia is 50Hz, which differs from the 60Hz frequency used in the United States. This difference in frequency may affect the normal operation of some electrical appliances, so be sure to check if you need a voltage converter.
• It is recommended to purchase adapters and converters before your trip, as they can be difficult to find in Bolivia.

Voltage and frequency

The standard voltage in Bolivia is 115V / 220V-230V at a frequency of 50Hz. Most of Bolivia uses 220-230 volt outlets, but some older buildings in La Paz and Viacha use 110-115 volt outlets. If you are travelling to Bolivia with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

To check whether your device is compatible, look at the label of your appliance. In the case of a laptop or phone, check the small box attached to the charger plug. If it states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’, it is a multi-voltage device and can be used in Bolivia without a converter. Dual voltage appliances (like hair dryers and hair straighteners) will read 110V/220V and may have a toggle between the two inputs which you can flick over before plugging into a Bolivian socket. Single voltage devices (usually household kitchen appliances) reading 120V will require a voltage converter for Bolivia, but you are unlikely to be travelling with these kinds of items.

Most electronics made today support multiple frequencies (50-60 Hz), so this shouldn’t be an issue compatibility-wise. Countries which use the same volt outlets as Bolivia (UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa) as well as dual or multi-voltage devices won’t require a voltage converter.

Voltage converters vs. plug adapters

When travelling to a foreign country, it is important to understand the difference between voltage converters and plug adapters. This is essential to ensure your electrical devices are safe to use and will work properly.

Voltage Converters

Voltage converters change the voltage coming from an outlet to match that of your device. This is important because using an electrical appliance with a voltage different from the power supply can be extremely dangerous. For example, plugging a 120V device into a 220V socket will blow a fuse in your device and possibly the building.

Converters are typically used with single-voltage appliances, which are often older models such as irons and hair dryers. These appliances usually operate at 100-120V.

Plug Adapters

Plug adapters, on the other hand, simply allow your device's plug to fit into a foreign electrical socket. They do not change the voltage or frequency. Adapters are necessary when the plug type in your home country is different from the one used at your destination. For example, plug type A (two flat parallel pins) is used in the US, while plug type G (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern) is used in the UK.

Most modern devices such as phones, laptops, tablets, and cameras are dual- or multi-voltage, meaning they can operate with more than one type of electricity. As a result, they usually only require a plug adapter when travelling.

Bolivia uses two types of power plugs and sockets (outlets): type A (two flat parallel pins) and type C (two round pins). The standard voltage is 115/230V at a frequency of 50Hz. If you are travelling to Bolivia from a country with different plug types and voltages, you will need to bring the appropriate plug adapters and voltage converters.

It is important to check the labels on your devices to determine if they are dual-voltage or single-voltage. Dual-voltage devices will display something like 'INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60Hz', indicating that they can be used in Bolivia with just a plug adapter. Single-voltage devices will need a voltage converter in addition to a plug adapter to work safely in Bolivia.

Dual voltage devices

If you're travelling to Bolivia, you'll need to know whether you need to use a voltage converter or plug adaptor for your devices.

A dual voltage device can accept both 110-120V and 220-240V. Many travel gadgets are dual voltage, so you'll only need a plug adaptor, also called a travel adaptor. Plug adaptors are much smaller, lighter, and cheaper than voltage converters. Common dual voltage devices include iPhone chargers, laptops, and cameras. These devices should read something like 100/240V (V=voltage) or 110~220V AC (V AC=volts, alternating current). Some dual voltage devices have settings on them, so be sure to switch to the correct V before operating. Many digital dual voltage devices adjust automatically.

To check whether your device is dual voltage, check the label of your appliance. In the case of a laptop or phone, check the small box attached to the charger plug. If it states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’, it is a multi-voltage device and can be used in Bolivia. Dual voltage appliances commonly include hair dryers and hair straighteners and will read 110V/220V and may have a toggle between the two inputs which you can flick over before plugging into a Bolivian socket.

If your device is dual voltage, you won't need a converter or transformer, just a travel adaptor, because Bolivia operates on a 230V supply voltage, which is within the 110-240V range that the dual voltage appliance operates on.

Where to buy adapters and converters

If you're travelling to Bolivia, it's important to know that the country uses two types of power plugs and sockets (outlets): type A and type C. Type A has two flat parallel pins, and type C has two round pins. The standard voltage is 115V or 230V, and the frequency is 50Hz.

Depending on the country you're travelling from, you may need to purchase a power plug adapter and/or a voltage converter. If you're from the US, the plugs on your electric devices won't fit into Bolivian sockets without an adapter. Additionally, as the voltage in Bolivia may vary locally and can be too high for your devices, a voltage converter may also be necessary to prevent serious damage to your devices.

You can purchase power plug adapters and voltage converters at various online and physical stores. Here are some options for where to buy them:

• Amazon: Offers a wide selection of travel adapters, voltage converters, and combo plug adapter/voltage converters.
• Best Buy: Sells travel adapters, converters, and adapter/converter kits from various brands, including Insignia, Samsonite, and DENAQ.
• REI: Stocks electrical adapters, such as the Eagle Creek Global Travel Adapter and the Sea to Summit Travelling Light Travel Adaptor for U.K./Asia.

It is recommended to purchase these items before arriving in Bolivia, as they can be challenging to find once you're there.

Frequently asked questions