Colombia is located in Northern South America bordering Venezuela, Brazil, Peru and Ecuador.  Colombia uses the same North America, two flat pin, type of adapter that is used in the US, Canada, Mexico and many Caribbean countries.

Adapter plugs allow electrical connections up to 240 volts. An adapter plug does NOT change the current or voltage (this requires a converter) unless your appliance is dual voltage. Check to make sure your hair dryer, curling iron, electric razor and other appliances are dual voltage before you leave on your trip.  Non-grounded adapters may NOT be used with appliances that have grounded plugs; for these you will need a grounded adapter.

Many of our customers find it handy to have multiple adaptors while traveling - either to run several appliances simultaneously or simply as a backup.

Why do I need a North American adapter?

Even though Colombia uses North American sockets, the sockets are not required to be polarized. Since devices such as laptops have a polarized plug with one prong wider than the other, you will still need an adapter to use your plug in Colombia.

Going In Style Adapter Colombia Model GIS-COL-A-GUA

Grounded Adapter Plugs

If you are traveling with a grounded United States dual/multi-voltage appliance or using a grounded Transformer you will need to use a grounded adaptor plug. A grounded United States plug has two flat blades and one round pin.

Non-Grounded Adapter Plugs

Going In Style offers non-grounded adapter plugs for use with your voltage converter, transformer, or dual/multi voltage appliance. A non-grounded United States plug has two flat blades.

Cycles: 50 Hz vs. 60 Hz.

Colombia operates on 110 volt electricity and is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. United States 110-120 volt electricity is generated at 60Hz (Cycles) Alternating Current. Many foreign countries operate on 60Hz. This difference in cycles may cause the motor in your 60Hz United States appliance to operate slightly slower when used on 50Hz foreign electricity. Most modern electronic equipment including battery chargers, computers, iPods, etc., will not be affected by the difference in cycle.

Shop Going In Style Converters and Transformers

Computers and Apple Products

If you are traveling overseas with a Toshiba, HP, Lenovo, Asus, laptop or Apple device such as an iPad, chances are you won’t need a voltage converter. Most laptops are multi-voltage and will operate on voltages ranging from 100 to 240 volts. However, computers do need to make safe connections to foreign power systems and a surge protector is recommended and you will still need an adapter to use your plug.

Learn more about Adapters and Converters by watching Going In Style's Videos.

About Colombia

Geography

Colombia is located in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama. Colombia’s climate is tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands. The terrain flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains and eastern lowland plains. Colombia is the only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Currency

The currency used is the Colombian Peso (COP). Major credit cards are widely accepted and small amounts of cash can be withdrawn from ATMs. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks, money exchange centers and hotels.

Staying Connected

Colombia has a modern system in many respects with a nationwide microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services. Domestic fixed-line connections stands at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is 100 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services. When traveling to Colombia you will need to have an unlocked or international cell phone with a Bahrain SIM card to make mobile calls. You will need an adapter to charge your cell phone. Most cell phone battery rechargers should be multi-voltage, therefore will not require a converter. If the charger says 100-240 volts, 50-60 cycles then your charger in multi-voltage.

Colombia has 4.281 million internet hosts and 22.538 million internet users. Internet is widely available in internet cafes and hotels. Internet connection in Colombia is usually very good. When traveling with your laptop or iPad you will need an adapter to charge your device.