Which travel plugs should I use in Peru? It’s a frequently asked question and there are different answers. There are no fewer than four different types of sockets used in Peru!
Dutch electrical plugs
Electrical appliances in the Netherlands mainly use plugs of types C and F and our sockets are therefore also adapted to this. However, the most common sockets in Peru are made for the so-called American plug model, or plug model A and B. For example, if you bought a telephone and/or photo camera in the Netherlands, the charger usually has a plug of model C.
Travel plugs Peru
Nowadays you see more and more electrical sockets in Peru that are suitable for plugs A, B and C, but it is difficult to predict which electrical sockets you will encounter while traveling. If you are traveling to Peru, it is therefore wise to buy a travel plug adapter. This does not have to be an expensive adapter at all, but can also be a simple attachment that replaces the two round points of your plug with two flat points.
Voltage in Peru
Just like in the Netherlands, the electricity network in Peru operates at 220 volts and 60 Hertz. However, the power network is less reliable and peaks and falls still occur. The higher peaks in the current flow are especially not good for electrical devices. Therefore, if you regularly use the electricity network in Peru, it is advisable to use an adapter that can absorb these voltage fluctuations.
Charging tip Peru
Whichever electricity plug you use in Peru, always place the plug of a charger first in the wall socket and then the other end of the charger in your laptop, camera or phone. I know, there are many different theories about this, but my tip comes from personal experience. Actually, out of habit, I always plugged my charger into the wall socket first and then plugged the charger into my laptop. However, a few years ago I was sitting in the patio of a house in Huanchaco, Peru. I had connected my laptop to the electricity network, but I could no longer see the screen very well due to the sun. So I unplug it and walk to the living room with the laptop and connected charger in my hands. While I plug the plug back into the electricity network, I hear a light pop and smell a burning smell. Result: a burnt plug and burnt charger cable. Maybe it was coincidence and bad luck, but I won’t take the risk anymore. So I always plug the charger into the wall socket first and then plug the charger into my laptop, phone or camera.
From Ecuador to Peru
The electrical plugs and sockets used in Ecuador and Peru look the same. It is therefore not a problem to use the same travel plugs while traveling between these two countries. However, it is important to remember that the electricity grid in Ecuador operates at 120 volts and 60 hertz. This is not a problem for electrical appliances that you bought in the Netherlands. These devices can also operate at a lower voltage. At most it will take longer to charge them. However, a few years ago we had a customer who forgot to bring her hairdryer from home. In order to properly dry her long hair on holiday in Ecuador and Peru, she bought a new hairdryer in Ecuador. The first time she used this hairdryer in Peru it wasn’t only hot air that came out, but also a stinky burning smell. She had just burned its motor on the 220V…
For more tips about traveling to Peru
