Rio de Janeiro
Brazil · Latin America
The water
29 mg/LSoft
Source: Agua mineral study (Passei Direto) · Estimate figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What soft water does to hair
Lathers easily, rinses clean. Can leave fine hair limp and flyaway; conditioners feel heavier.
The washing routine for Rio de Janeiro
Keep your normal rhythm; soft water asks for no detox routine. Go lighter on conditioner, which feels heavier in soft water, and if fine hair goes limp, reach for volume at the roots rather than more product through the lengths. A clarifying wash now and then is plenty.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): January is the warmest month, averaging 31°C by day, and humidity peaks in March at about 82% on average. In the hot months, sun and sweat do as much damage as the water: shade, a hat and a rinse after swimming carry the routine. In the humid months, frizz is the main event; anti-humidity styling matters more than wash frequency.
Local note: Estimate: upper bound from published post-treatment calcium and magnesium at a Rio treatment plant; CEDAE and Aguas do Rio publish no hardness figure.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type C and N. Supply: 127 V, 60 Hz in Rio (Brazil varies by city).
A dryer or styler wound for 230 V only will run weak on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you travel.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Rio de Janeiro properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.