Brazil is the country most likely to catch a foreign traveller out at the socket. The plug is unique (Type N, used almost nowhere else), the voltage varies by city, and even within one city a building can have mixed sockets from a 2010-era renovation. Here is what you actually need.
Short Answer
- Plug: Type N. Bring a universal adapter with a Type N head.
- Voltage Rio / São Paulo / South: 127V.
- Voltage Northeast / Brasília: 220V.
- Laptops, phones, cameras: dual-voltage, just need the adapter shape.
- Hairdryers, flat irons: risky on 220V if not dual-voltage.
- Buy before: $8–12 on Amazon. At Rio pharmacy: R$ 25–40.
The Type N Plug
Type N is the Brazilian standard — three round pins in a shallow triangle. It was made mandatory in 2010 but older buildings still have mixed installations. The good news: Type N sockets accept Type C (two-round-pin European) plugs too, so a European-rated adapter often works. US plugs, UK plugs and Australian plugs do not fit at all.
- Three pins in a triangle: Type N. Universal in 2026 hotels.
- Two round pins only: Type C socket, still found in older buildings. Type N plugs don't fit here — but Type C does.
- US-style flat blades: do not exist in Brazilian wall sockets.
- Best adapter to bring: a universal travel adapter (OREI, Epicka) with a Type N/C head.
Voltage by City
| City / Region | Voltage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rio de Janeiro | 127V | Some buildings have 220V outlets for A/C — check before plugging |
| São Paulo | 127V | Same caveat |
| Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre | 127V | The South is 127V |
| Belo Horizonte | 127V | Minas Gerais is 127V |
| Brasília | 220V | Capital is 220V |
| Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza | 220V | Northeast is 220V |
| Manaus | 127V | Amazon capital is 127V (but 220V in some hotels) |
| Fernando de Noronha | 220V | Check the socket label |
⚠️ Within a single hotel room you may find both voltages. Bathroom outlets for electric shavers are often 127V; wall outlets can be 220V. Every socket should have a voltage label next to it. If it doesn't — ask reception before plugging in a hairdryer.
What Works Without a Voltage Converter
- Phones, tablets, laptops: almost all modern chargers are 100–240V. Check the fine print on the brick.
- Camera chargers: dual-voltage, all major brands.
- Electric toothbrushes (Oral-B, Philips): dual-voltage.
- Apple/Samsung products across the board: dual-voltage.
- Kindle chargers: dual-voltage.
- Travel hairdryers marked "100–240V": work but weak on 127V.
What Fries on Brazilian Current
- US-only 110V hairdryers: will smoke on 220V.
- US-only 110V flat irons / curling irons: same.
- Old desktop speakers labeled "115V": dicey.
- Cheap travel kettles rated for one voltage: skip.
- Any appliance without a voltage label: assume single-voltage, leave home.
💡 The safest hair-tool move: buy a cheap R$ 80–120 bivolt (dual-voltage) hairdryer at any Brazilian supermarket like Pão de Açúcar, Carrefour or Extra. Use it in-country, leave it at the hotel or take it home as a spare.
Where to Buy Adapters
- Before your trip (best): Amazon US, $8–12. Search "Brazil Type N adapter".
- At Brazilian airports: electronics kiosks R$ 40–60. Overpriced but instant.
- Brazilian pharmacies (Drogasil, Pacheco): R$ 25–40, always in stock.
- Supermarkets (Pão de Açúcar, Extra): R$ 20–35.
- Casas Bahia / Magazine Luiza: R$ 20–50, wide selection.
People also ask
Is the Type N plug the same as the Italian Type L?+
No. They look similar but the pin spacing is different. Italian plugs do not fit Brazilian sockets.
Can I use a UK plug in Brazil?+
No, UK plugs are three rectangular blades. You need an adapter.
Do Brazilian USB wall outlets exist?+
In 2022+ hotels, yes. Most older properties have none. Bring a multi-port USB charger with the Type N adapter.