Brazil: When to Go

The weather is worth considering when planning a trip to Brazil, as it can have a significant bearing on how you enjoy certain regions of the country. For example, the Amazon region is one of the world's rainiest places, making travel exceedingly difficult between January and May. Similarly, if you plan to go to the Pantanal, do so during the dry season. The rest of the year, roads are washed out and travel is a nightmare. The south has the most extreme temperatures and during the coldest winter months snow is even possible - but rare.

During summer (December-February) many Brazilians are on vacation, making travel expensive and frequently booked out, and, from Rio to the south, the humidity can be oppressive. However, summer is also the most festive time of year, as Brazilians take to the beaches and streets. School holidays begin in mid-December and go through to Carnaval, usually held in late February.

Brazil's low season corresponds to its winter. Rio temperatures hover around 23°C (73°F), with a mix of both rainy and superb days. With the exception of July, which is also a school-holiday month, this is the cheapest and least-crowded time to visit the country.

Weather

Being such a vast country, Brazil's climatic patterns vary between regions. In Rio, the humidity can be high in summer, with temperatures hovering around 28°C (82°F). Rainfall is another factor, with October to January the wettest months. In winter Rio temperatures are mild, around 23°C (73°F).

On the northeast coast, from Bahia to Maranhão, temperatures are a bit warmer year-round than in Rio - with days reaching 31°C (88°F) - but due to a wonderful tropical breeze and less humidity, it's rarely stifling. The rainy season runs from about mid-December to July, though even then you'll encounter gorgeous days. The Amazon region (the north) is one of the world's rainiest places and rainfall occurs most frequently from December to May, making travel at this time exceedingly difficult. The rest of the year the region still receives plenty of rain, though showers tend to last only an hour or two.

The Pantanal also has rainy/dry seasons, and if you plan to visit, do so during the dry season (mid-April to late September). The rest of the year, the wetlands receive tremendous rainfall, washing out roads and making traveling a nightmare.

The South has the most extreme temperature changes, and during the coldest winter months (June to August), Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná and São Paulo have temperatures between 13°C (55.4°F) and 18°C (64.4°F). In some towns, the rare snowfall is even possible. As elsewhere along the coast, summer is quite hot, and you'll have lots of company on the beach.