Charging the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to Costa Rica

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 3GS with a Costa Rican power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a three pinned Type A power adapter and charging the iPhone 3GS using a Type B USB charger.

Costa Rican power outlet

Different combinations of region codes and voltages can all lead to confusion when planning to travel to a new country especially to the first time traveller. This isn't as complicated as it appears, with only a handful of different types of common standards being used in the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge your iPhone 3GS . These instructions have been specifically written to prevent travellers worrying if they'll be able to charge the iPhone 3GS abroad.If you're staying in Costa Rica this page contains useful instructions showing charging the iPhone 3GS by using their standard Type B or A 120 volt 60Hz plug outlets, Type B plug outlets will be normally used by a majority of Costa Ricans. If your iPhone 3GS slowly recharges or doesn't turn on when travelling to Costa Rica from a different country then check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts sometimes take longer to charge or won't power up, check the device is a dual voltage device (you'll find these are usually marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional power converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in Costa Rica

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in Costa Rica?

You can use the iPhone 3GS in Costa Rica by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Costa Rica?

If you are travelling to more than one country then the best travel charger for Costa Rica to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of plug sockets in Costa Rica (B and A) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type A.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle from 100 to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa simply by changing the heads. If your iPhone 3GS can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from faster charging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with certain power hungry devices. Unlike other travel chargers this will allow you to power more than one device simultaneously without needing to buy individual power adapters for your Costa Rican trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight travel charger will keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand luggage while travelling. Because of their versatility these types of chargers can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional plug socket.

If you travel regularly we suggest searching for this type of flexible travel charger online; the power adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for Costa Rica

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3GS, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power adapters offer surge protection which is necessary for travellers to counties with unstable power supplies. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering Continental Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to Costa Rica using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from America using type B plugs and offers practically the same set of features as the BESTEK with 1 less AC outlet for almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting Costa Rica. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3GS in Costa Rica?

Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Costa Rican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 3GS with a Costa Rican power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a three pinned Type A power adapter.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3GS from a Costa Rican power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple should normally supply the cable with the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. This ungrounded power supply (technically called the Type A power outlet [3]) is identified by the two adjacent slots where the plug outlet blades slide into.
  3. Connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Costa Rican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3GS with a Costa Rican power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Costa Rican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

Instructions showing how to recharge your iPhone 3GS with a Costa Rican power outlet using a 30-pin connector with a 3 pin Type B power adapter.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 3GS from a Costa Rican power outlet you'll need a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will normally supply the cable with the iPhone 3GS).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type B USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the two slots next to each other for live and neutral blades with a single hole below for the earth pin.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Switch on the Costa Rican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3GS screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is recharging, typically taking between one-four hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPhone 3GS from a Costa Rican power outlet by using a 3 pinned Type B USB adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia entry about Costa Rica
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  7. Type B USB power plug adapter - A Type B USB power plug adapter conforms to the NEMA 5-15 specifications, featuring 2 parallel flat blades and an extended grounding pin. Rated at 15A and 125 volts, suitable for use in the United States and Canada for converting domestic outlets to USB..
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..