Best time to visit Brazil

The best time to visit Brazil is between December and March, with the warmest months across the country, the samba-fuelled celebrations for New Year and Carnival, sun-kissed beaches along the coast and some of the best weather to explore from north to south.

However, Brazil is quite simply huge, with different climates between north and south, as well as separate conditions for the Amazon and the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, so your pick of the country’s tempting destinations could affect your decision about when to go to Brazil.

You rarely have to worry about being cold, although you’ll also be lucky to dodge the wet weather in the Amazon entirely – it’s not a rainforest for nothing. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, November and April could be better, while wildlife lovers might choose the summer months for the best chance to spot everything from jaguars and capybara to hyacinth macaws and monkeys galore.

Discover where to go when by region below, or if you’d like to find out our month-by-month guide scroll further down.

It’s midsummer in Brazil this month, with the seasons reversed for the southern hemisphere, so you can enjoy one of the warmest periods across the country. Whether you’re hitting the beaches, exploring the cities like Rio de Janeiro or venturing off the beaten tourist track to discover a few hidden corners of Brazil, you’ll have sun almost everywhere.

You can expect to have to share those world-famous beaches and attractions with plenty of others during peak season though. If you’re looking to escape the packed stretches of sand like Copacabana, venture south to Ilha Grande. Once home to pirates and some of the country’s most notorious prisoners, this laid-back island makes a tempting alternative to the busy city beaches. Or consider escaping further north to the protected Fernando de Noronha archipelago where daily numbers are limited, but the snorkelling and scenery are a little slice of heaven.

Once you’ve ticked off the highlights like Sugarloaf mountain and Corcovado, discover some less visited parts of Brazil, including gold rush history at towns like Ouro Preto and Tiradentes. Or head south to colonial Paraty, where you can wander the historic cobbled streets before finding more quiet coves to relax in.

The hotter months of the year are also wetter, so wildlife watching in the Pantanal is all but ruled out in January because of the rain. It’s the start of the wet season in the Amazon rainforest too, although with rainfall year-round, your choice really is between wet and wetter here. With water levels rising, it means some paths on land are off limits, although on the flipside you can now canoe into parts of the rainforest that aren’t accessible during the dry season. With fruit on the lush green trees and bushes, it’s also a good chance to spot monkeys and birds feasting away.

Festivals: New Year starts with a bang in Rio de Janeiro with Reveillon, with millions of people joining the celebrations. Copacabana beach is the heart of the festivities, where you can watch fireworks over the sea and hear live music, as well as grabbing a caipirinha or three.

Best for: Warm weather nationwide, exploring the cities, New Year celebrations

There’s more warm weather in February in Brazil, although more rain across the Amazon and Pantanal as well. But the big reason to travel to Brazil in February is to experience Carnaval, especially the famous celebrations in Rio de Janeiro. Needless to say, it’s busy and pricy this month, but watching the samba parades is something you’ll never forget, with those elaborately decorated floats and dancers in their extravagant bejewelled costumes.

The Rio carnival isn’t the only one taking place in Brazil; you’ll find an Afro-Brazilian flavour in Salvador and giant puppets in the parade in Olinda. It’s a fantastic month to explore beyond the cities too, discovering gold rush country in Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paraty’s old centre and nearby Ilha Grande.

The country’s north-east tends to be drier this month, making it a perfect time to visit Brazil’s unspoiled beaches and idyllic Linha Verde route between Recife and Salvador, kick back on the seven miles of sand at Porto Galinhas, or explore lovely Bahia including remote Boipeba. Visitor numbers are also limited in the protected Fernando de Noronha archipelago so you’ll never have to share the fabulous snorkelling and scenery with too many others, even during this busy month.

The waterfalls and rivers of the Chapada mountains are spectacular this month too, although it’s cooler and occasionally rainy here, while the wetter weather in the Amazon makes it possible to explore some of the smaller waterways. It’s not a great month to visit the Pantanal though, with wet weather limiting access and making wildlife watching more difficult.

Or head to the border with Argentina to see the crashing cascades of the Iguazu Falls. The water is at its fullest after the summer rains, although some trails may be too muddy to follow. It’s hot and humid but can also be a little quieter than December and January if you try to avoid weekends.

Festivals: Carnival celebrations usually take place this month (sometimes early March), most famously in Rio de Janeiro, but in other locations across Brazil too.

On February 2, the Festa de Iemanja honours the goddess of the sea – you’ll see locals making offerings of flowers, jewellery and perfume into the waves, as well as launching their boats to ask for luck for the year. All finishing with dancing, music and street parties.

Best for: Carnival, exploring the north-east, beaches

If you’re looking for the best time to visit Brazil for good weather and fewer crowds, March could be the answer. It’s the start of the dry season in southern Brazil this month, with high temperatures and sunny weather making it a perfect time to explore this part of the country, especially now the crowds of New Year and Carnival have started to thin out.

Tick off Rio’s unmissable sights, including Sugarloaf mountain, Corcovado and the city’s beaches, or discover the St Tropez of Brazil at Buzios. Or team a visit to the historic cobbled streets of colonial Paraty with some downtime at laid-back Ilha Grande, as well as exploring a less-visited part of Brazil in Minas Gerais, the site of the 17th century gold rush.

It’s a good month to visit the Iguazu Falls too, with slightly less rainfall this month, but with the waterfalls at their fullest, and with visitor numbers down on peak season.

North-eastern Brazil is starting to get a little rainier this month, although you can still find plenty of sunshine to enjoy the country’s world-famous beaches without the crowds. Drive the beautiful Linha Verde route between Recife and Salvador, or make the most of having a quieter stretch of sand at Porto Galinhas, the protected Fernando de Noronha archipelago and gorgeous Bahia including unspoiled Boipeba.

It’s cooler in the Chapada mountains and you can expect more rainfall here during March but if you want to see the waterfalls and rivers at their best, it’s a good time to choose.

The rainy season is firmly underway in the Pantanal though, with some areas impassable and not a great time for wildlife-spotting, so it’s best to avoid the area this month. It’s also very wet in the Amazon as the area starts to experience its rainiest months, so while it’s possible to visit, it’s not the best time to choose.

Festivals: Carnival can sometimes fall during March, depending on the dates of Easter, most famously in Rio de Janeiro, but in other locations across Brazil too.

Best for: Exploring Southern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, beaches, Iguazu Falls

Brazil is enjoying one of its drier months in April, especially in the south of the country, where it’s getting cooler but with fewer rainy days. Officially it’s shoulder season in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and around the beaches of the south-east, but that means it’s likely to be much less crowded and much less humid than earlier in the year – and still comfortably warm enough to explore.

Perfect if you’re planning to walk up Sugarloaf Mountain, or explore Rio’s Tijuca National Park, plus you should get clear views from Corcovado and plenty of sun on the glamorous beaches including Copacabana and nearby Buzios. In colonial Paraty, the temperatures are ideal for strolling the historic centre, and still warm enough to enjoy the beaches along the coast here, such as Ilha Grande.

Or in the far south, you’ll spot butterflies as you explore around the Iguazu Falls. The cascades are still full after the summer rains, and apart from Easter week, it’s usually quieter here this month..

The rains are also finally easing in the Pantanal, making it a great time to see the animals – head off on a safari in the quieter southern Pantanal, enjoy a wetlands safari in the north, or even combine wildlife-spotting with snorkelling.

The Amazon is also coming to the end of its wettest period, but it’s hot, humid and harder to explore after so much rain, so it’s better to wait until the drier months get underway. It’s rainier in north-eastern Brazil too, with one of the wettest months around Salvador, so it’s not the best time to hit the beaches at Bahia.

Festivals: Easter week, or Semana Santa, is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Brazil, with traditional events marking the occasion. In pretty Ouro Preto, the cobbled streets are carpeted in flowers, placed to make intricate patterns.

Best for: Exploring southern Brazil, a safari in the Pantanal, Iguazu Falls, the beaches of the south-east

The weather stays dry in the south of Brazil this month, with temperatures dropping a little further –if you’re looking for a holiday in Brazil without the heat, humidity and crowds of peak season, it’s a perfect time to explore. The dry weather continues in the Pantanal as well this month, with some fantastic wildlife-spotting whether you’re exploring the quiet southern Pantanal, fancy a wetlands safari in the northern Pantanal, or want to mix snorkelling and some downtime with a safari.

Shoulder season is a great time to see some of Brazil’s highlights, as Rio de Janeiro is quieter this year, as is the Iguazu Falls, while still being warm enough to explore. May is also a good time to hit the beaches of the south-east, with pleasantly warm temperatures in the mid-20s at Ilha Grande and Buzios. Or take a trip through Brazil’s history, discovering the 17th century gold rush in Ouro Preto or UNESCO World Heritage Site Paraty, which also boomed during the gold trade.

The weather is finally getting drier in the Amazon too – this is a rainforest, so always be prepared for showers though. As river levels drop, it can be a good time to see wildlife as the animals seek out water, while you can also consider jungle trekking in the forest along with a cruise on the Amazon river.

It’s still rainy in north-eastern Brazil, with the wettest month of the year in Salvador as well as enough drizzle to put you off the beaches at Bahia.

Festivals: The Cavalhadas festival takes place around Pentecost, and the celebrations have been named as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The highlight is the recreation of a battle between Christian knights and Arabs, especially in the city of Pirenopolis near Brasilia, but you can also experience it in Guarapuava, Pocone in the Pantanal and elsewhere in Brazil.

Best for: Exploring without the crowds, a safari in the Pantanal, Iguazu Falls, the beaches of the south-east, the Amazon

As mid-winter approaches, it can get a lot cooler in parts of Brazil during June with the start of low season. With average highs reaching the low 20s in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, it’s far from cold during the day, although if you’re heading to Paraty, you may need to wrap up a little warmer. It can also get chilly in the mornings at the Iguazu Falls, but if you’re planning more active hikes around the cascades and bike rides, the cooler weather can be a bonus.

You’ll find sunny days at the beaches of the south-east still and far fewer crowds, although there’s always a risk it’s a bit too cool to sunbathe, and some places may shut for the winter months. It’s still wet in the north-east too, so it’s better to postpone your visit to Salvador or the beaches of Bahia.

However, it’s one of the best times of year to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, with the worst rainfall of the year over, but enough water in the lagoons to see them at their best. The cooler weather also makes trekking in the Chapada Mountains easier.

And June is a good month for spotting wildlife too, with the official start of the dry season in the Pantanal and animals heading out to search for water. It’s one of the drier months in the Amazon as well, if you’re planning to go hiking in the jungle.

Festivals: Festa Junina is a nationwide festival to celebrate three saints, John the Baptist, Anthony and Peter, with the celebrations for St John (or Sao Joao) among the most important of the year, especially the festivities on the night of June 23-24. You’ll find fairs in the countryside, with traditional dances, games and food, especially corn, along with music, dancing and parades.

The Paratins folk festival also takes place at the end of June in the Amazonas region, the second-largest festival in Brazil after Carnival, commemorating a local legend of an ox who is magically resurrected, with teams acting it out, plus giant floats and eye-catching song and dance routines.

And every other year in June, the Rock in Rio music festival attracts some of the biggest names in music to Rio de Janeiro, with performances in the Jacarepaguá neighbourhood.

Best for: Hiking and trekking, festivals, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, spotting wildlife

It’s one of the coolest months in much of Brazil, especially in the south, although if you’re looking to have the sights to yourself and don’t mind wrapping up warm in the mornings and evenings, it can still be a good time to discover some of the country’s highlights, including the Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Paraty and Ouro Preto.

It’s not the best month to enjoy the beaches, either in the cooler south-east or the north-east, where it’s still rainy this month. But it is officially the start of the dry season in the Amazon – although there’s never any guarantee you’ll escape rain altogether in a rainforest – where it’s hot and humid year-round. Great for jungle trekking and some guaranteed warmth.

The dry season continues in the Pantanal too, although it can get quite cool at night this month. Bird-watchers should flock there as much of the area’s birdlife is building nests this month and easier to spot, while low water levels and vegetation means you have more chance of spotting some of the wetland’s elusive creatures, including jaguars.

Water levels are still high in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, with the lagoons sparkling amid the dunes, but with dry days to appreciate them.

Best for: Cool weather, Lencois Maranhenses National Park, wildlife spotting

While it’s still Brazil’s low season, and winter in the southern hemisphere, the country does get busier this month during school holidays. It’s still relatively cool but dry in much of the south of Brazil, although pleasantly warm in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte for those coming from northern Europe. You can still find sunshine at the beaches, including glamorous Buzios, dubbed the St Tropez of Brazil.

And if you prepare for chilly mornings, it’s a great month for a more active visit to the Iguazu Falls, whether that’s hiking the trails around the waterfalls or cycling. Water levels are still reasonably high this month, to experience the crashing power of the cascades.

It’s also one of the best months to visit the Amazon. No chance of being chilly here, with hot, humid days but generally drier weather for walking in the forest and spotting animals. Or head to the Pantanal for more amazing wildlife, including a chance to spot jaguar and an impressive array of birdlife, whether you visit the southern Pantanal or northern Pantanal.

While the rains are starting to ease in north-eastern Brazil, you can still expect it to be wet if you’re looking at a visit to the beaches around Bahia, or a visit to Salvador. The weather in the Chapada mountains is ideal for hiking too, although as it comes towards the end of the dry season here, the waterfalls aren’t always at their best.

Festivals: The Festival de Cachaca in Paraty transforms this quiet, historic town into party central, with a celebration of Brazil’s national spirit, made from sugar cane. As well as plenty of chances to sample the different varieties, the festival shows off Brazil’s party spirit, with samba, traditional food and plenty of fun to be found.

Best for: The Amazon, wildlife in the Pantanal, the cities and beaches of the south

September is one of the best times to visit Brazil outside peak season, especially if you’re looking to dodge the crowds. Brazilian winter is coming to an end and the temperatures are starting to rise again in southern Brazil, although you may also see a bit of rainfall. After the school holiday rush, it’s a great month to explore Rio de Janeiro though, as it’s pleasantly warm and still mostly dry, whether you’re planning to hit the city’s beaches or head up to see the views from Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado. It’s also warmer in the pretty historic town of Paraty and Ouro Preto, for a chance to explore two places built on the Brazilian gold rush.

At the Iguazu Falls, the chilly mornings are almost a thing of the past and it’s a dry month here as well. While the water at the falls themselves will be less, it’s lovely weather to explore and you get a sight of individual cascades with the rock peeking through, rather than the torrential curtain of water that follows the rainy season.

The rain has also passed in the north-east, with one of the driest months in Salvador in Setpember – a perfect time to discover the area’s African influences, along with historic Olinda and Recife. If you’re looking for beach time, you’re spoiled for choice whether you head to the north-east coast, for the glorious sands of Bahia, remoted Boipeba, protected Fernando de Noronha and the natural lagoons of Porto Galinhas, or if you venture to the south-east, around glamorous Buzios and unspoiled Ilha Grande.

With the dry season ongoing in the Pantanal, it’s one of the best times of year to spy an elusive jaguar, as well as discovering the other wonderful wildlife on a safari in the southern Pantanal or northern Pantanal. The drier weather is ideal for walking in the rainforest in the Amazon, with some of the best conditions for exploring the jungle, and the option of taking an Amazon cruise.

Festivals: Brazil celebrates Independence Day on September 7, with a national holiday and parades in most cities across the country. Rio de Janeiro’s is one of the most impressive.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, beach time, exploring the Amazon, spotting jaguars

October makes another great month for a holiday in Brazil if you’re hoping to explore all four corners of the country, with generally good weather across the country. While spring isn’t as hot as peak season, it’s also quieter and with pleasantly warm, dry days to sightsee and get outdoors. You’ll find plenty of sun at the beaches of the north-east and south-east coasts.

Pack in some of the highlights of Rio de Janeiro before heading north to Salvador, which has one of its least rainy months in October, plus temperatures in the high 20s. It’s a perfect month to head out and explore this area, driving the coast from historic Olinda and Recife to Salvador, stopping at some of the beaches along the way, including Porto Galinhas. Or simply soak up the sunshine at some of the world’s loveliest stretches of coast. Fernando de Noronha is hard to beat, a protected area with limited numbers of visitors and heavenly snorkelling. Bahia is deservedly famous for its own lovely beaches too, including the remote little island of Boipeba

Tthere’s plenty to tempt you south this month as well. Discover Gold Rush territory in Minas Gerais, along with picturesque Paraty, which flourished thanks to the gold trade and as a haunt of pirates. It’s easy to team that with time at the beach too, such as the laid-back car-free island of Ilha Grande or the more glamorous Buzios, dubbed the St Tropez of Brazil.

It’s the last month of the dry season in the Chapada Mountains, and while the waterfalls aren’t at their best after months of little rain, it’s a good time to go hiking before the wetter weather moves in. It’s also one of the rainiest months of the year at Iguazu Falls, although the volume of water in the cascades is still relatively low after all the dry months. You can still dodge the showers to explore, and it’s quieter this month too.

Rainy weather is on the horizon in the Pantanal, but October is a fantastic time to spy the area’s elusive jaguars, not to mention the area’s other wildlife – take a safari in the less visited southern Pantanal or explore the northern Pantanal. While it’s starting to get rainier in the Amazon, it’s still a good month to visit before the wetter season arrives, with trekking in the jungle still an option.

Festivals: On the second Sunday of October in the city of Catalao, Congadas has its roots in African traditions as well as Catholic heritage, introduced by enslaved people brought to Brazil to work on the plantations. The event is now a major celebration with parades, special costumes and the coronation of the King of the Congo.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, beach time, exploring the Amazon, spotting jaguars

Summer arrives in Brazil in November and temperatures start to peak again, with the last of the drier months in the south. Expect a few more rainy days in Rio de Janeiro this month, although it’s a good time to go before the heat and the crowds increase any further. Both Ouro Preto and Paraty are heating up as well, but it’s not too hot to explore, while the beaches will also be mostly sunny this month, whether you’re planning to explore glitzy Buzios or escape to somewhere like unspoiled Ilha Grande.

Temperatures are getting close to 30C in the north-east with more humid weather in Salvador, and the chance of tropical thunderstorms, but it’s still a good month to visit if you’re planning some time at the beach around Bahia or Recife. This shoulder month tends to be quieter than December when peak season really gets going too.

It’s still hot and dry in the Amazon too, although with the inevitable showers you find in the rainforest year-round. The water levels are at their lowest, so it’s a good time to spot wildlife and go hiking in the jungle, but some smaller waterways won’t be navigable by kayak or canoe. And the wet weather is returning to the Pantanal, although it’s still dry enough to explore in November, and enjoy one of the last good months for wildlife spotting before the rainy season kicks in.

The rains have returned to the Iguazu Falls as well, so the water volume is starting to increase in the cascades. It’s not too busy and the trails shouldn’t be too muddy to explore, but go prepared for the weather if you’re visiting this month.

Best for: Southern Brazil, the Amazon, exploring without the crowds

Peak season starts again in December, with some of the hottest temperatures of the year, and visitors flocking to Brazil’s major cities and key tourist sites around Christmas and New Year.

Time your visit for the start of the month if you want to see the sights in Rio without huge crowds, although you won’t be able to escape entirely. If you’re looking for a quieter stretch of beach, you’ll need to head out of the city – travel down to somewhere like car-free Ilha Grande for a relaxing beach break, which is easy to combine with historic Paraty. If you’re wondering when to go to Brazil’s Gold Rush state of Minas Gerais, including the beautiful town of Ouro Preto, it is one of the rainiest months of the year here.

Rainfall drops slightly at the Iguazu Falls, so it’s a good chance to see the cascades with the water levels topped up slightly, although you can expect it to be busy this month. And it’s also less rainy this month in the north-east, although it’s getting hot hot hot around Salvador and Bahia – see some of the best of the area on a drive from Olinda and Recife to Salvador, or escape the crowds in Fernando de Noronha, where visitor numbers are limited each day but the snorkelling and scenery is some of the best in the world.

In the Amazon, water levels are still low but it’s getting rainier as the year draws to an end, making trekking in the rainforest harder, but opening up new routes on the waterways. It’s getting wetter too in the Pantanal, with mosquitoes moving in and wildlife sightings dropping – as the rain gets heavier, it becomes too hard to explore here.

Festivals: If there’s a city that knows how to party, it’s Rio de Janeiro, so it’s no surprise that the city celebrates the end of the year in style, with Cariocas dressing in white and heading to Copacabana Beach to watch fireworks over the sea on New year’s Eve.

Best for: Hot weather on the beaches, heading off the beaten track