When to go to Brazil
Brazil sits mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are flipped from Europe and North America. Summer runs December to March, winter from June to September. Because the country is huge, weather varies wildly between Rio, the Amazon and the southern wine country.
The seasons
- Summer (Dec-Mar): Hot and humid, with tropical downpours in the afternoon. Beach season in Rio and the Northeast, where temperatures hit 35C.
- Autumn (Apr-May): A sweet spot. Warm days, fewer crowds and lower prices.
- Winter (Jun-Sep): Dry and pleasant in much of the country. The best window for the Amazon and the Pantanal wetlands, where wildlife gathers around shrinking water.
- Spring (Oct-Nov): Pleasant and quiet before the holiday rush begins.
Peak vs shoulder season
Peak season is December to February, climaxing with Carnival. Rio, Salvador and beach towns fill up and hotel prices double or triple. Book months ahead.
The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-November) are the smart traveller's choice: good weather, manageable crowds and far better value on flights and hotels.
Festivals month by month
- February/March: Carnival, the world's biggest party. Rio's Sambadrome parades and Salvador's street blocos are the headline acts.
- June: Festas Juninas, rural harvest festivals with bonfires, quadrilha dancing and corn dishes, huge across the Northeast.
- June/July: Parintins Folklore Festival in the Amazon, a spectacular ox-themed competition.
- October: Cirio de Nazare in Belem draws two million pilgrims, and Oktoberfest Blumenau is the largest German beer festival outside Germany.
- December 31: Reveillon on Copacabana, where two million people in white welcome the new year with fireworks.
Regional timing tips
- Rio and the Southeast: Dec-Mar for beaches; Apr-May for sightseeing without the heat.
- The Amazon: Jun-Nov (dry season) for hiking and wildlife; the wet season is for river cruising.
- The Pantanal: Jul-Oct is prime jaguar-spotting time.
- Iguazu Falls: Spectacular year-round; flows are fullest after the summer rains.
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