US to Puerto Rico Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2025)

If you want to experience a tropical Spanish-speaking destination without leaving the US, Puerto Ric could be a perfect choice. On our first visit to Puerto Rico, my wife and I fell in love with the island almost immediately. From the historic district of San Juan to the bioluminescent bay on Vieques, Puerto Rico is an island full of pleasant surprises just waiting to be discovered.

Travelers planning a trip to Puerto Rico often wonder what differences they will find on the island when compared to the mainland US. In this article, we will cover the electrical system in Puerto Rico and answer all your questions about whether you’ll need to bring a power adapter or converter, as well as listing other essential items that should be on your packing list and answers to common FAQs.

Which power outlets do they use in Puerto Rico?

Here is an actual photo of a Puerto Rico power outlet

Since the vast majority of travelers depend on their smartphones and other electronic devices for safe travel, it’s important to find out what types of power outlets are used in the destinations that you plan to visit so you can keep your devices charged. Puerto Rico uses the same types of outlets you will find in the mainland USA, so American travelers shouldn’t have to worry about charging their US devices in Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, you will find both type A and type B power outlets. Type A outlets have two parallel vertical rectangular holes, and type B outlets have the same two rectangular holes with a round hole located underneath for the grounding pin. You can use plugs that were designed for type A outlets with type B outlets, but type B plugs won’t fit in type A outlets due to the grounding pin. The standard voltage in Puerto Rico is 120 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

What kind of power adapter do I need for Puerto Rico?

Recommended Puerto Rico power adapter available on Amazon.com ➜

American travelers shouldn’t need an adapter or converter to charge their electronic devices in Puerto Rico since US plugs are compatible with type A and type B outlets. However, I still recommend that US travelers bring a universal travel adapter on their trip to Puerto Rico for a number of reasons. An adapter will be useful in cases where you need to use a type B plug in a type A outlet. It’s also useful when you need to charge two devices simultaneously since the adapter has two USB ports.

In addition, this universal travel adapter has a fuse protector to prevent your devices from getting damaged by a defective outlet, which is a real possibility in Puerto Rico. The adapter can be used in over 100 countries worldwide, so you won’t need to worry in case you end up traveling to other countries during your vacation or on future travels.

View on Amazon.com ➜

Other Puerto Rico Packing List Items

In addition to your US to Puerto Rico power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our Puerto Rico packing list for more inspiration and ideas.

1. Lipstick-sized Portable Charger

On my first day in San Juan, I left my portable charger in my hotel room and had trouble getting an Uber back to my hotel after my phone battery died. For the rest of my trip, I always kept my portable charger in my pocket at all times. This charger is no bigger than a tube of lipstick, but it’s powerful enough to fully charge a phone once or twice.

View on Amazon.com

2. Windproof Travel Umbrella

Like many tropical destinations, Puerto Rico often experiences daily rainfall, especially during the wet season. I brought this Travel Umbrella for the rain, but I also found it quite useful for sun protection at the beach! This umbrella was designed to be strong enough to survive strong gusts of wind, but it still packs down small enough to fit easily in your daypack.

View on Amazon.com

3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

This VPN service is very useful for travelers who use the internet a lot, especially if you plan to visit numerous countries on one trip. The VPN service alters the location on your devices, so you can log into your online accounts from any country in the world. It also protects you from tracking, ads, malware, and provides safe, untraceable internet browsing, as well as helping with password protection.

View options at NordVPN.com

4. Packing Cubes

It can be a real challenge to fit everything that you need into one piece of luggage, especially if you like to travel light. I use these Packing Cubes to organize my clothes into a small space, and I’ve found they make all the difference. The Packing Cubes come in a set of five different sizes plus two free laundry bags for dirty clothing.

View on Amazon.com

5. Neck Wallet

Puerto Rico has a low crime rate when compared to many nearby countries like the Dominican Republic and Haiti, but it’s still a good idea to store your valuables in a safe place during your visit. I used this Neck Wallet to keep my passport, credit cards, cash, keys and other valuables safely tucked away at all times on my trip. It also has a protective RFID lining to prevent e-theft.

View on Amazon.com

6. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

I use these luggage locks to secure my bags on every trip. They come in a set of two locks, which are compact and lightweight yet strong enough to prevent thieves from getting into your gear. The locks were also designed to allow TSA agents to inspect your bags, so you’ll have a smooth trip through security while keeping thieves' hands out of your bags.

View on Amazon.com

7. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is one of those things that you hope to never need but should always get just in case. I’ve learned from experience that investing in travel insurance is much cheaper than paying for a missed flight or an emergency evacuation. I’ve used a number of insurance providers over the years, and I’ve found TravelInsurance.com to be the best bang for your buck. Their site lets you compare policies from top companies so you can find the best option for your travel plans.

Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com

What’s the electricity and power supply like in Puerto Rico?

The majority of Puerto Rico’s electricity is generated using natural gas and oil-fired power plants, although the island also has several dams that produce hydroelectricity. There have been efforts to convert Puerto Rico to renewable energy sources in recent years. In 2018, the government passed legislation that requires all of the coal-fired power plants to be closed by 2028 and for the island to use 100% renewable energy by 2050. There are also currently plans to develop an ocean thermal energy conversion project off the southeast coast.

The power grid in Puerto Rico has been an issue for a number of years. In 2017, Hurricane Maria caused significant damage to the island’s electricity network, which created long-lasting blackouts on parts of the island. As of 2022, remote parts of Puerto Rico still had problems getting consistent electricity, despite efforts to improve the power grid. There is also a high chance of being affected by a power outage if you are on the island after a tropical storm hits. I never encountered any blackouts on my trip to Puerto Rico in 2021, although I recommend that anyone planning to travel to remote parts of the island or visit during hurricane season is prepared for a potential blackout.

Do I need a voltage converter in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico, the standard voltage is 120 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. This is the same voltage that is used in the mainland USA, so American travelers won’t need a voltage converter for Puerto Rico. That said, if you plan to visit other countries on your trip, don’t forget to study the standard voltage for each destination and make sure that your electronic devices will be compatible. You can typically find the safe voltage range posted on the side or the back of your electronic devices.

Other FAQs About Traveling to Puerto Rico

1. When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?

Like all Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico enjoys warm weather throughout the year. There are two distinct seasons in Puerto Rico, the dry season and the wet season. The dry season lasts from December to April, and the wet season is from May to November. Puerto Rico gets quite busy in December, January, and February, when tourists in the northern states hit the beaches to soak up some winter sun. Many travelers enjoy exploring Puerto Rico during the shoulder season months of March and April, when the crowds are gone but before the summer heat and humidity. If you choose to visit during the wet season, remember that there is always the chance of encountering a tropical storm or hurricane.

2. What is the best way to get around Puerto Rico?

San Juan has a good transit system by Caribbean standards and you shouldn’t have any problem catching an Uber inside the city. But unfortunately, public transportation around the rest of the island is pretty limited. One great way to get around the island is with a rental car, which will give you the opportunity to explore off the beaten path. Another excellent way to experience Puerto Rico is to charter a boat, especially to experience the east coast and the islands of Vieques and Culebra.

3. Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Rico?

One of the great things about traveling to Puerto Rico as an American is that you don’t need a passport or visa. For US citizens who want to go to Puerto Rico, all you need to bring is any form of legal ID. Of course, if you travel to Puerto Rico from another country or if you plan to visit another country on your trip, you’ll need to pack your passport.

4. Is Puerto Rico expensive?

Puerto Rico is definitely more expensive than Mexico or the Dominican Republic, but it’s still possible to experience the island on a budget if you are flexible and plan your trip right. Since Puerto Rico is an island, most goods have to be shipped there, which inflates the cost. That said, locally produced foods like tropical fruit and fish can be obtained for very reasonable prices. I found a nice Airbnb in San Juan for under $80 a night, and Uber rides around the city cost around $7 or $8 each.

5. What are the best destinations in Puerto Rico?

For a relatively small island, Puerto Rico has a wide variety of attractions. One of my favorite places was Vieques Island, where you can visit the number one bioluminescent bay in the world. El Yunque National Forest, located in the mountains on the eastern side of the island, is the perfect place to hike, camp, and look for rare birds and trees. If you are looking for chill beach vibes, Rincon on the far western end of Puerto Rico is hard to beat. Of course, San Juan is famous around the world for its bars, nightclubs, and casinos, as well as the Spanish colonial architecture and 16th-century landmarks like El Morro and La Fortaleza fortresses.

US to Puerto Rico Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2025)

Table of contents

Which power outlets do they use in Puerto Rico?

What kind of power adapter do I need for Puerto Rico?