The Caribbean is electrically diverse in a way that surprises many travelers. Some islands use the same plugs and voltage as the United States — making travel from North America seamless. Others use British-style Type G sockets at 220–240V. French territories follow European standards. A traveler doing a multi-island Caribbean itinerary may genuinely need three different plug configurations. This guide cuts through the complexity with a clear island-by-island reference.
Why the Caribbean Has Mixed Electrical Standards
Caribbean electrical systems reflect each island's colonial history. Islands that were heavily influenced by the United States (Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba) adopted North American 110–120V standards. Former British colonies (Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, the Windward Islands) adopted UK-style 220–240V systems. Former French territories (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana) follow European 220V standards. The result is a patchwork that requires travelers to know their specific destination.
Caribbean Islands: Complete Voltage & Plug Table
| Island / Country | Voltage | Frequency | Plug Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | 110V | 60Hz | A, B | Same as USA. No adapter needed for US travelers. |
| 🇯🇲 Jamaica | 110V | 50Hz | A, B | US-style plugs but 50Hz. Most modern devices handle this. |
| 🇨🇺 Cuba | 110 / 220V | 60Hz | A, B, C | Mixed system. Tourist hotels often have both 110V and 220V sockets. |
| 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico (US) | 120V | 60Hz | A, B | US territory. Identical to the US — no adapter needed. |
| 🇧🇧 Barbados | 115V | 50Hz | A, B, G | Mix of US and UK sockets. Universal adapter recommended. |
| 🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago | 115V | 60Hz | A, B | Primarily US-style. Former British colony but US voltage adopted. |
| 🇱🇨 St. Lucia | 240V | 50Hz | G | UK standard. Type G adapter needed for US travelers. |
| 🇻🇨 St. Vincent & Grenadines | 230V | 50Hz | A, C, E, G, I, K | Diverse socket types — universal adapter essential. |
| 🇬🇩 Grenada | 230V | 50Hz | G | UK standard. Type G adapter for US travelers. |
| 🇦🇬 Antigua & Barbuda | 230V | 60Hz | A, B, G | Mix of US and UK sockets. Universal adapter safest. |
| 🇰🇳 St. Kitts & Nevis | 230V | 60Hz | A, B, D, G | Diverse socket types. Universal adapter recommended. |
| 🇭🇹 Haiti | 110V | 60Hz | A, B | US-style standard. No adapter for US travelers. |
| 🇧🇸 Bahamas | 120V | 60Hz | A, B | US standard. No adapter needed for US travelers. |
| 🇻🇮 US Virgin Islands | 120V | 60Hz | A, B | US territory. Identical to the US. |
| 🇬🇵 Guadeloupe (FR) | 230V | 50Hz | C, E | French territory. European standard. Type E adapter for US/UK travelers. |
| 🇲🇶 Martinique (FR) | 220V | 50Hz | C, D, E | French territory. European standard. US travelers need adapter + dual-voltage devices. |
| 🇦🇼 Aruba (NL) | 127V | 60Hz | A, B, F | Dutch territory. Unusual 127V — most dual-voltage devices handle this fine. |
| 🇨🇼 Curaçao (NL) | 130V | 50Hz | A, B | Dutch territory. US-style plugs at unusual 130V. Dual-voltage devices work fine. |
| 🇨🇦 Cayman Islands (UK) | 120V | 60Hz | A, B | British territory but uses US-standard power. No adapter for US travelers. |
| 🇧🇿 Belize | 110 / 220V | 60Hz | A, B, G | Mixed. US standard predominates in tourist areas. |
⚠ Multi-island travelers: If your itinerary crosses from US-influenced islands (Dominican Republic, Jamaica) to former British colonies (St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada), you may need two different adapters — or one good universal adapter. Plan ahead and verify each island separately.
The Three Caribbean Power Zones
Zone 1: North American Standard (110–120V, Type A/B)
Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba (partially). For US and Canadian travelers, no adapter is needed in these destinations. European and UK travelers need a Type A/B adapter plus dual-voltage devices.
Zone 2: British Standard (220–240V, Type G)
St. Lucia, Grenada, and some British dependencies use UK-style Type G plugs at 220–240V. American travelers need a Type G adapter. European travelers with Type C plugs also need a Type G adapter. Voltage is not an issue for dual-voltage devices.
Zone 3: European / Dutch Standard (220–230V, Type C/E/F)
French territories (Martinique, Guadeloupe) use European Type C/E at 220–230V. Dutch territories (Aruba, Curaçao) use Type A/B but at non-standard voltages (127V, 130V). European travelers feel at home in French territories. American travelers need an adapter and dual-voltage devices.
Caribbean Power Reliability
Power reliability across the Caribbean varies significantly. Well-developed tourist destinations (Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands) have generally reliable infrastructure. Some islands experienced major grid damage from hurricanes that took years to fully repair. The Dominican Republic and Jamaica experience periodic outages — resort hotels have backup generators but guesthouses and budget accommodation may not. A fully charged power bank before leaving the hotel is good practice throughout the region.
For full instant lookup, use our voltage checker — search any Caribbean island for an immediate verdict on plugs and voltage. For context on what "dual voltage" means on your device labels, see our dual voltage guide. Combining your Caribbean trip with Central or South America? See our South America power guide.