Best time to visit Brazil
The best time to visit Brazil depends on the region you wish to visit. You can visit the country all year round, but it is entirely up to your personal preferences as to when we can best plan your trip to Brazil.
When is the best time for you to visit Brazil?
- Would you like to visit the carnival in Rio de Janeiro? Then you should travel to Brazil in February or March , depending on when the carnival takes place.
- If you want guaranteed beach weather with high temperatures, it’s best to visit Brazil from December to March. Not a fan of very hot weather or the beach? Then it’s best to travel between July and October, when temperatures are a bit lower and it can be a bit cooler, allowing you to get out and about.
- Would you like to see certain natural wonders, such as the Iguazu Falls, at their best? If so, we recommend visiting Brazil in October, November, April or May.
- Would you like to visit the waterholes amongst the sand dunes at Lençois Maranhenses? If so, the best time to travel to Brazil is between May and August.
- Would you like to witness sea turtle eggs hatching? Then travel to Brazil between December and March to visit Praia do Forte beach. More interested in whale watching? This area is also known for the humpback whales that can be seen off the coast between July and October.
Best time to visit by region
Have you already thought about what you’d like to see in Brazil? If so, take a look below to find out the best time to travel for your trip of Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Minimum temperature in °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
General
This bustling metropolis is situated quite far south in the country. This means that, to some extent, you can speak of four seasons here. However, you should bear in mind that during the ‘winter months’ – June to August – temperatures can still reach 25°C. There is a slightly higher chance of rainfall, particularly in June, but as it rains all year round in Rio, you cannot really speak of a dry and a wet season.
Out and about or relaxing on the beach?
If you enjoy being active in Rio without being overwhelmed by the scorching heat, we recommend visiting the city between July and October. If you’re keen to make sure you get to the beach, this period might be slightly less suitable, as it can sometimes be a bit too chilly for that.
December to March are the summer months in Rio de Janeiro. Temperatures can rise to well over 30°C during this period. It is the busiest time of the year.
São Paulo
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Minimum temperature in °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 27 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
General
The situation for São Paulo is much the same as for Rio de Janeiro, except that São Paulo lies at just under 1,000 metres above sea level. As a result, it is cooler there and, because São Paulo is situated slightly further inland, there is a slightly greater difference between the drier and wetter seasons.
From June to September, temperatures hover around 20°C and drop to 10°C at night, but there is virtually no rainfall. From December to February, temperatures can reach 30°C during the day, but there is a high chance of rainfall during these months. March to May and October to November fall somewhere in between in terms of temperatures and rainfall.
Iguaçu Falls
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Minimum temperature in °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 32 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
This spectacular natural wonder is situated in the south, on the border with Argentina. You can visit the waterfalls all year round. What you need to bear in mind are the dry and wet seasons.
Cool temperatures, low water levels
Due to its southern location, it can still be quite cool here during the winter months from June to September, and water levels are also at their lowest.
High temperatures, high water levels
From December to March, it can be hot and humid. Temperatures hover around 30°C, humidity is high and there is a high chance of rainfall. This is, however, the period when water levels are at their highest. The volume of water during this time is impressive, but there is also a high likelihood that certain sections of the walking trails, particularly on the Argentine side, will be closed due to the high water levels.
Best time?
You could say that October, November, April and May are the best months to visit the waterfalls. The temperatures are very pleasant at that time, and the water flow at the waterfalls is just right.
The Amazon and the Pantanal
Pantanal
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Min. temperature in °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 23 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 33 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 31 | 32 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
Amazon
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Min. temperature in °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
The Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal (the world’s largest wetland) are considered Brazil’s most important nature reserves. The rainy season in these areas runs from November to June. The dry season is from July to November. The dry season is generally considered the best time to visit, as wildlife is easier to spot during this period. During the wet season, water levels are higher, which has the advantage of making everything even greener and allowing you to venture deeper into the wilderness by boat.
North-East Brazil
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Min. temperature in °C | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
This area is a great place to visit all year round. The temperature is always around 30°C. From April to June, humidity is very high and this is also when most rainfall occurs.
Southern Brazil
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Minimum temperature in °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
| Maximum temperature in °C | 30 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 28 |
| Number of hours of sunshine per day | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
Of the southernmost Brazilian states, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul – home to the cities of Florianópolis and Porto Alegre – one could truly say that they have four seasons, which are the opposite of those here in Europe. It is a beautiful, green and mountainous region, home to Brazil’s finest wines and offering some truly lovely driving routes.
This region is best visited between October and May, with everything in bloom in October and November, whilst April is the grape harvest season.
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Sea turtles hatch
Between December and March , sea turtles lay their eggs, which are then deposited on the beach at Praia do Forte, just north of the city of Salvador.
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Humpback whales can be seen off the coast
Between July and October, humpback whales can be seen off the coast of Praia do Forte.
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Lençois Maranhenses
This destination is situated in north-eastern Brazil and is best visited from May to August. This is after the rainy season, so clear blue lakes can be seen amongst the white sand dunes. From September onwards, these water sources dry up.
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Southern Cape in the south
Off the coast near the beaches in the southern state of Santa Catarina, you can spot southern right whales from July to November.
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São Paulo Grand Prix
Every November, the Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place in São Paulo.
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New Year’s Eve in Rio
A spectacular fireworks display on New Year’s Eve at Copacabana. A truly special experience! Please bear in mind, however, that accommodation prices rise sharply at this time of year and a minimum stay is often required.
The best time to visit Brazil when travelling with children
During our summer holidays, temperatures in Brazil are pleasant. This also applies to spring and autumn. The May holidays and the summer holidays are therefore excellent times to travel if you’re planning a trip to Brazil with children. The Christmas holidays are also a good time to visit in terms of the climate, but this is peak season. This is the Brazilians’ main holiday period, and they travel extensively within their own country during this time. Would you like to travel during the Christmas holidays? Tip: start planning your trip well in advance. We’d be happy to advise you!
Time difference between Brazil and the Netherlands/Belgium
The time difference between the Netherlands/Belgium and Brazil depends on where you are staying in Brazil. Brazil has several time zones: Acre time, Amazon time and Brasília time. The following applies to these time zones:
- If you are staying in an area within the Brasília time zone, it is 4 hours earlier than in the Netherlands during Dutch winter time. During Dutch summer time, the time difference is 5 hours earlier.
- If you are staying in an area within the Amazon time zone, it is 5 hours earlier than in the Netherlands during Dutch winter time. During Dutch summer time, the time difference is 6 hours earlier.
- If you are staying in an area within the ACRA time zone, it is 6 hours earlier than in the Netherlands during Dutch winter time. During Dutch summer time, the time difference is 7 hours earlier.
If you’d like to know which Brazilian time zone your destination is in, check out Mapsofworld for the time zone map.
How long is the flight to Brazil?
Flight times to Brazil vary depending on your destination.
There are direct flights from Amsterdam to the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The flight time to these cities is approximately 12 hours on a direct flight.
Flights to other cities in Brazil often involve a stopover at Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo airports.
Fancy a trip of Brazil?
Would you like to go on a trip of Brazil yourself and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the tours we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.