How to charge any mobile phone when planning a trip to Cuba

A step by step guide showing you how to recharge your mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet by using USB Type B cord and a three pinned Europlug Type C power charger, how to recharge any mobile phone using a two pinned Type A power plug and powering any mobile phone using a three pin Type B USB charger

Cuban power outlet

If packing for a trip it can often be helpful to know if you can charge your common devices that you are bringing along with you. Without knowing which power socket is being used in Cuba you could end up either weighing your bags down with unnecessary spare adaptors or pack the wrong adaptor, therefore leaving you needing to purchase a suitable charger on arrival. Differing voltages and standards can all be confusing when planning to travel to another country especially to the first time traveller. With only a handful of different types of sockets being used throughout the world this guide shows exactly what you'll need to purchase in advance to power the mobile phone in Cuba. This page has step by step instructions telling you exactly what you'll need to supply power to the mobile phone when staying in Cuba by using their Type C, A or B Cuban 110 volt 60Hz wall outlets, Type C wall outlets will be normally used by most Cubans. If your mobile phone does not power up or charges slowly when you are visiting Cuba from a different country please check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Typically devices which originated from another country which use a higher voltage (for example 240 volts) can take longer to charge or won't power up, so check your device is a dual voltage device (normally marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. If you are planning on staying at a city like Havana or Holguin we also recommend referring to the wikipedia web page about Cuba [1] for further information.

This how-to guide is for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For a specific mobile phone visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Cuba

Can you use any mobile phone in Cuba?

Yes, you can connect any mobile phone to a Cuban power outlet.

What is the best power charger for recharging any mobile phone in Cuba?

When you are travelling with more than your mobile phone and visiting multiple countries the best travel power adapter for Cuba to buy is a multiple USB charger which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. Cubans use three different standards of power outlets (C, A and B) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa just by switching the heads over. If your mobile phone is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times with one of these travel adapters plus compatibility with more power demanding devices. This will allow you to recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters for your trip. By only bringing a single lightweight USB travel charger will also keep the weight down, making it perfect to fold up in hand baggage and suitable for recharging your mobile phone at an airport or on a plane. Due to their versatility these types of power chargers can be used when back at home not just abroad so when you’re not travelling they can be used overnight charging multiple smartphones and tablets without using up an additional power outlet.

For those travelling to different continents we recommend buying this type of flexible power adapter online. The multipurpose travel adapter illustrated is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for recharging multiple USB devices in numerous countries on a daily basis.

Alternative travel adapter for Cuba

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the mobile phone, however for visitors also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is useful when visiting counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both Cuba and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from North America visiting Cuba using type B US plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with just 1 less AC outlet for almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more generous 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 a majority of travellers from around the world visiting Cuba. [9] [AD]
What is the best power charger for recharging any mobile phone in Cuba?

Powering any mobile phone with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

A step-by-step guide showing how to power your mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet by using type B USB micro cord and a Type A power charger.

  1. If you want to supply power to any mobile phone from the Cuban power outlet you'll need a Type A USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify the plug outlet by 2 thin slots adjacent to each other where the two pins go.
  3. Then connect the USB end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the mains power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone to charge with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port is normally located either on along one side or on the bottom of the mobile.
  5. Turn on the Cuban power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone will indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will typically take. [AD]
Powering any mobile phone with a Cuban power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet

Using type B Micro USB cord with a Type B power adapter to charge any mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. To power the mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet you will need to buy a Type B USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Firstly insert the Type B USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. This wall supply, technically known as the Type B power outlet [5], is identified by two thin slots with a single hole below for the longer ground pin.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB type B connector into the mains USB adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the phone is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet

Using USB Type B connector and a three pinned Europlug Type C power charger to charge any mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge the mobile phone using a Cuban power outlet you will need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [8] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Cuban power outlet. You can identify this plug outlet by 2 circular adjacent holes where the plug outlet pins go.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB type B connector into the USB power charger and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the bottom or side of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Cuban power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone should indicate that the phone is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your mobile phone from a Cuban power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - wikipedia web page about Cuba
  2. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  3. 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..
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. iec.ch - Type B power outlet
  6. 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..
  7. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  8. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  9. 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..