How to charge your iPad Mini 4 from a power outlet in Costa Rica

Using a USB Lightning Apple connector and a double pin Type A USB adapter to recharge your iPad Mini 4 from a Costa Rican power outlet and how to recharge the iPad Mini 4 using a three pinned Type B USB charger.

Costa Rican power outlet

When packing for a vacation it's helpful to know if you'll be able to power any electrical devices such as cell phones and tablets when you get to your hotel. But without knowing which plug socket is used you are more likely to bring the wrong power adaptor, meaning needing to purchase a suitable charger when you arrive. Different region codes and plug types can often be confusing when planning to travel to another country, especially if you've never been there before. These instructions were written to prevent you needing to worry if you'll be able to charge your iPad Mini 4 when you're going abroad.If you are visiting Costa Rica these useful instructions show charging your iPad Mini 4 by using the standard types B or A 120 volt 60Hz power outlets, please be aware that Type B wall outlets will be normally used by most Costa Ricans. Most power supplies will change from country to country therefore we suggest that you read the WikiConnections world power supplies page where you'll find a complete list of regions and countries. If your iPad Mini 4 doesn't power up or recharges slowly when you are visiting Costa Rica from a different country check that it is compatible with a 110 volt power supply. Normally electrical devices which originated from a country which use a higher voltage such as 220 volts either take longer to charge or won't turn on, check your iPad Mini 4 is a dual voltage device (normally marked with a 100-240 volt notation) else you may need to use an additional converter to ensure proper use. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 9 or greater on the iPad Mini 4.

Charging the iPad Mini 4 in Costa Rica

Can you use the iPad Mini 4 in Costa Rica?

Yes, you can use the iPad Mini 4 in Costa Rica by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in Costa Rica?

When travelling to multiple countries the best travel power adapter for Costa Rica to buy is a multiple USB port charger which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. Costa Ricans use two different standards of wall outlets (B and A) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type A.

As these chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and handle from 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for multiple countries around the world simply by changing the supplied heads over. If your iPad Mini 4 is compatible with Fast Charge (note that not all USB devices do) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times with one of these USB travel adapters, and support for certain power hungry devices like tablets.

Unlike other travel adapters having a four port charger means you can power multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel adapters or using up additional power outlets. Only bringing a single USB travel charger will also keep the overall size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage while travelling and suitable for recharging your iPad Mini 4 at an airport or on a flight. Because of their space saving versatility these types of travel adapters can be used when back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with only a single wall outlet.

If you travel frequently we suggest buying a versatile travel adapter like this at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose travel adapter illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world with good reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for Costa Rica

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from around the world who only have USB devices such as the iPad Mini 4, however for those also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power strips provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power strips offer surge protection which can be necessary when visiting counties with unreliable power grids. These power adapters come supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs covering both Costa Rica 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 most popular compact power converter for travellers originating from America visiting Costa Rica using 3 pinned 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 from North America using type B plugs. This is a more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only 1 less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers 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 ideal for a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting Costa Rica. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for recharging the iPad Mini 4 in Costa Rica?

Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Costa Rican power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

Using an Apple USB Lightning connector and a Type A USB adapter to charge the iPad Mini 4 from a Costa Rican power outlet.

  1. To supply power to the iPad Mini 4 using the Costa Rican power outlet you'll need to use a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] - Apple typically supply this cable with your iPad Mini 4.
  2. Start the process by plugging the Type A USB power plug adapter in the power supply. You can recognise the power supply by two thin adjacent slots next to each other.
  3. Connect one end of the Apple USB cord into the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the base of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Switch on the Costa Rican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your tablet screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPad is recharging and takes roughly 1 - 4.5 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
Charging the iPad Mini 4 from a Costa Rican power outlet by using a two pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Costa Rican power outlet

Using an Apple Lightning cable with a Type B power adapter to charge the iPad Mini 4 with a Costa Rican power outlet.

  1. To supply power to your iPad Mini 4 from the Costa Rican power outlet you'll need to use a Type B USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple Lightning cable [5] (Apple will normally include the cable when you first purchase your iPad Mini 4).
  2. Start the process by inserting the Type B USB power plug adapter in the power outlet. You can recognise the power supply by two thin slots next to each other where the live and neutral plug outlet blades slide into with a semicircular shaped hole below for the ground pin.
  3. Plug in the USB end of the USB to Apple Lightning cable into the bottom of the power charger and the other end into the Lightning connector on the iPad Mini 4. The iPad Mini 4 lightning connector is situated at the bottom of the iPad Mini 4.
  4. Turn on the Costa Rican power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of the iPad screen will display a charge icon to indicate that the tablet is charging and takes between 1-4.5 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type B power charger for charging your iPad Mini 4 from a Costa Rican power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Costa Rica country Wikipedia page
  2. Apple - iPad Mini 4 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 Lightning cable - The Apple Lightning cable is a charging and syncing cable for more recent Apple devices and connects compatible iPhones and iPads to a USB port.
  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..