Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Best time to visit Brazil

Brazil is a year-round destination, though March to November are widely considered the best months to visit as this is the dry season, but there isn’t really a bad time to travel to Brazil.

Let seasons and regions be your guide

When planning your holiday to Brazil you should take into account the wet and dry seasons and how these affect the places you wish to visit. We provide a handy guide to help you below.

Seasons in Brazil

There are two clear seasons, dry and wet, which affect the weather and climate throughout the country.

Dry season (March to November)

This tends to be the best time to visit as temperatures are pleasant, rainfall is low and wildlife viewing is good.

Wet season (December to February)

Heavy rainfall, humidity and high temperatures make this a less comfortable time to visit some regions, although many places can still be visited in these months.

Weather by region

Due to the country’s size, climate and conditions vary considerably as summarised below.

The Pantanal

July till September are best in terms of climate and wildlife viewing, and jaguars are best observed from June to October. The floods arrive in January and although the rains usually end in March the waters take a couple of months to recede, so many areas cannot be reached until May. May to June and October to early November can be good too. In the wet season, mid-November to March, it can be hard to reach and travel in the Pantanal. These months are also hotter and more humid and less comfortable for visitors.

The Amazon

The Amazon can be visited throughout the year and rain should always be expected. The official wet season begins in December and water levels build over the next few months peaking in June, when boat rides are nearer the tree canopy making it easier to view wildlife in the trees. Water levels are lowest from August to November when you can explore on foot as well as by boat.

Rio & southern Brazil

You can visit at any of time of year. Beach lovers will want to avoid the coldest months of June to October although this is the dry season so other visitors may prefer it to the hotter but wetter time from January to March. Short, sharp showers are the norm, however, so rain is not totally disruptive. Rio and other towns celebrate carnival on Shrove Tuesday which falls in February/March, an attraction for some visitors and time to be avoided for others.

Iguazu Falls

The falls can be visited year-round, though what you see will vary. High water occurs between January and April when you see a vast blanket of water. These are the summer months when temperatures are high and you may get afternoon showers. In winter (April to October) weather is mild and dry. Water levels are at their lowest in July and August but falls are still an impressive sight, with individual waterfalls more visible.

Salvador, Fortaleza & the northeast

This region is equatorial so has no seasons and the weather is warm all year, with the winter months (March to November) usually marginally warmer than summer. There is little rain compared with other parts of Brazil with the highest chances of rain from April to June. Beaches are good at all times and there is little variation in seawater temperatures during the year.