Cuba Power Plugs, Wall Sockets & Electrical Outlets
In Cuba, power plugs and sockets (electrical outlets) of Type A (NEMA 1-15, two flat parallel pins, ungrounded), Type B (NEMA 5-15, two flat parallel pins plus round grounding pin, grounded), Type C (CEE 7/16 (Europlug), two round pins, ungrounded) and Type L (CEI 23-50, three round pins in a row, grounded) are used. Wall sockets run at 110/220V and 60Hz. Check if you need a travel adapter, electrical adapter or voltage converter before travelling to Cuba.
Check Adapter Compatibility
Do you need an adapter for your trip?
Cuba uses:
Cuba Travel Adapter Guide
A Cuba power plug can take several different forms, since the island's electrical system runs on 110-220V at 60Hz and accommodates more than one plug standard. Travelers arriving from countries with a single plug standard are often surprised to find that Cuban buildings, particularly hotels and casas particulares, may be wired for Type A, Type B, Type C, or Type L connections depending on the age and origin of the installation. Because of this mix, packing a versatile travel adaptor is the safest way to ensure your devices connect without issue, no matter which socket style you encounter.
Do All Sockets in Cuba Look the Same?
No, sockets in Cuba are not uniform, and this is one of the more confusing aspects of the country's AC power plugs and sockets for visitors. Older properties may retain the flat two-pin Type A or three-pin Type B outlets familiar from North America, while other buildings feature round-pin Type C or the Italian-style three-in-a-row Type L sockets. It's common to find different outlet styles even within the same hotel, so checking each electrical outlet before plugging in is a sensible habit.
Dual-Voltage Devices and Cuba
Most modern electronics, including phone chargers, laptop power supplies, and camera battery chargers, are dual-voltage and designed to accept a range spanning 100-240V, which comfortably covers Cuba's 110-220V supply at 60Hz. This means travelers usually only need to solve the plug shape problem with an adapter rather than worry about a separate voltage converter. Always check the fine print on your device's charger for the accepted voltage range before connecting it in Cuba, especially for higher-wattage items like hair dryers or travel kettles that are not dual-voltage.
Power Sockets and Plug Types in Cuba
Type A plugs, based on the NEMA 1-15 standard, feature two flat parallel pins and are ungrounded, rated for 15A at 100-127V; they are commonly used for small appliances, lamps, and phone chargers throughout North America and the Caribbean, including parts of Cuba. Type B plugs add a round grounding pin to the same flat-blade design, providing 15A grounded protection at 100-127V for larger appliances, computers, and equipment where a safety ground connection matters. Type C, the compact Europlug, uses two round 4mm pins rated for just 2.5A at 220-240V and is intended strictly for low-power, double-insulated devices such as small electronics rather than heat-producing appliances. Type L, Italy's distinctive three-pins-in-a-row design, comes in a 10A and a separate incompatible 16A version, both grounded and rated for 220-240V, used for everything from small appliances to higher-power equipment.
- Type A (NEMA 1-15): ungrounded, two flat pins, 15A, 100-127V
- Type B (NEMA 5-15): grounded, two flat pins plus round ground pin, 15A, 100-127V
- Type C (Europlug): ungrounded, two round pins, 2.5A, 220-240V
- Type L (CEI 23-50): grounded, three round pins in a row, 10A or 16A, 220-240V
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases you will need a travel adaptor because Cuba uses a mix of Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type L plugs depending on the building. Bringing an adapter that covers multiple plug shapes is the most reliable way to ensure your devices fit local electrical outlets.
Cuba uses four plug types: Type A and Type B, the flat-pin North American styles (one ungrounded, one grounded), plus Type C, the round-pin Europlug, and Type L, Italy's three-pin inline design. Which type you encounter often depends on the specific building or hotel.
Cuba's electrical supply runs at 110-220V and a frequency of 60Hz. Because of this range, most dual-voltage electronics designed for 100-240V will operate safely without needing a separate voltage converter.
Pack a universal travel adaptor capable of accommodating Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type L plugs, since Cuba's AC power plugs and sockets are not standardized across all buildings. It's also wise to confirm your devices are dual-voltage rated before relying solely on an adapter rather than a voltage converter.
