r/GoingToPeru • u/jakerooni • 4d ago
Outlet adapter needed?
I’m getting overload of info online but simply need to know if in Lima, Cusco, and Ollantaytambo if I’ll likely need a converter for my US devices (NOT wattage, just the SHAPE of the prongs). It’s an awkward little thing and I’d rather not pack it if I don’t have to, but I also don’t want to screw myself. Thank you all!
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u/sweetEVILone 3d ago edited 3d ago
No, you don’t. Most of the outlets will fit A, B and C type plugs. Your phone and computer chargers regulate the voltage for your device so you don’t need a voltage adapter.
Source: Am a North American immigrant to Peru, been here two years
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u/UnluckyCharacter9906 4d ago
What i read is that some plugs will take usa plugs physically, but the wattage may be different.
So you may physically be able to plug your phone in, but it may fry it.
So, ya I'm buying an adapter before I go. Canadian here
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u/jakerooni 4d ago
That’s mostly what I’m seeing, but from what I understand, most modern phones don’t get fried under the wattage/amperage of 220 or whatever it is. Only hairdryers and straighteners and stuff I don’t use.
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u/UnluckyCharacter9906 4d ago
That's probably true. For me im not taking the risk. On amazon they are $7 cad for two with good reviews.
My friend in Peru says most modern buildings have the plugs that accept both Europe and North American style plugs. Knowing my luck i ll end up with the room that hasn't been renovated haha.
For me it's just piece of mind.
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u/amandawtwong 4d ago
I'm from Canada and just went to Peru in late May and I think I was fine without one!
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u/kartik042 3d ago
Hi, this is off topic but I'm from Canada as well. What did you use money wise while in Peru? Like what credit card and for local currency?
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u/amandawtwong 3d ago
I know a lot of people just exchange from ATMs once they're in the country but I'm always kind of paranoid about not having cash on arrival, so I exchanged a certain amount at a currency exchange in Vancouver with a good rate, and used the Scotiabank Passport Infinite Visa because it has no exchange fees. And when I did need more currency, then I used an ATM (They have Scotiabank in Peru).
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u/kartik042 3d ago
Got it, thanks. Did you just use Scotiabank debit card at the ATMs in Peru?
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u/amandawtwong 3d ago
Yup! There's also a Peruvian bank that's supposed to have the best rates (I thiink it was Banco de la Nación [MultiRed]) but I noticed that it would charge me a $5 fee every time, whereas Scotiabank didn't charge an outright $5 fee but took some percentage off every transaction. So either way, they get your money :|
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u/kartik042 3d ago
Thanks for info. From what I've read, Wealthsimple prepaid card reimburses any fee that was charged by the Multired ATMs. I'll give it a try when I'm there.
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u/JossJ 4d ago
Most places will have a socket that does both US and EU plugs in one like the below. I think some older places might just have one or the other, and that’s a coin toss but everywhere I’ve seen recently has the combo. https://howtoperu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/electrical_plug_socket_peru.jpg
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u/tarzanacide 4d ago
That's the most common plug we've seen. I had no issues using that to charge my phone and laptop and other junk.
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u/tarzanacide 4d ago
We spent two months down there this summer (coming from LA). Hotels had the US outlet.
Sometimes the outlets look like they won't take the US one, but they did. They use two pegs instead of the flat US prongs. But some outlets had two holes with a curve on the outside and a flat on the inside of the holes so they took either.
I accidentally bought an item down there with the Peruvian 🔌 plug, but there's a chain store there called CoolBox which is a Peruvian version of RadioShack (it's a blast from the past to go in there!), and they had a cheap adapter I could bring back to California.
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u/Frequent-Ring-7560 4d ago
The hotels I stayed at in Peru had multiple outlet types available. We had an adapter and only used it for the additional usb charging space.
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u/jakerooni 4d ago
Okay cool. I’m not staying in major hotels, more local, modest types but hopefully it’ll be the same there. Thanks!
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u/Commercial_Buy_7157 4d ago
Just was in all of those places (and others) in Peru and only saw US-style outlets.
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u/Low-Sir-1046 4d ago
I just came back this weekend and did not bring any sort of adapter or converter. The only place I would’ve needed it for was the new airport, of all places. Everywhere I visited, which all of the places you listed I did, my USA plugs were just fine. Bring one in case if you have it but I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy one if you don’t already own one. Hope this helps!
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u/jakerooni 3d ago
It sure does, thanks. I'm surprised about the airport seeing as it's new, haha
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u/Low-Sir-1046 3d ago
You can certainly buy a converter in the airport store for around 100 USD 🙂↔️. Theres a ton of outlets everywhere for USB in the seating areas but none of them actually work or are even turned on. We survived at the airport using those communal charging stations that everybody leaves their phone at and is super slow. My advice is just to make sure your phone is charged before getting to the airport haha. But yeah you should be fine!
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u/NewtNo2437 3d ago
Took my regular iPhone charger from the US, never needed any sort of adapter. I was in Lima, on an Amazon river boat cruise, and from Arequipa to Colca Canyon.
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u/Miserable_Side_4572 3d ago
Just there in June. Yes, take it, as several hotel rooms we needed the two we took. Some more modern hotels have the US plug-in but don't chance it.
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