When to go to Brazil: a region-by-region guide

It’s warm almost all year round in most of Brazil. What changes from one season to the next is mainly the rain, the river levels and the crowds. The same month can be ideal for the lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses and less favorable for the beaches of Salvador. So the simplest approach is to start from what you want to do, then adjust the itinerary.

The main seasons at a glance

In the Southeast (Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, Minas Gerais), the southern summer, from December to March, is hot and humid, with frequent late-afternoon thunderstorms. Winter, from June to August, is drier and pleasant for sightseeing, with mild temperatures.

On the coast of the Northeast (Salvador, Recife), the rains tend to fall between April and July. Farther north, around the Lençóis Maranhenses and Jericoacoara, the rainy season generally runs from January to May, and that is precisely what fills the lagoons.

In the Amazon, people talk less about summer and winter than about high and low water. River levels rise during the first half of the year and generally peak around May and June; they then fall until the low water of the southern fall.

• Lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses — Generally best time: June to September — Good to know: The lagoons are full after the rains; they drop toward the end of the year.
• Pantanal wildlife — Generally best time: July to October — Good to know: Dry season: animals gather near the watering holes.
• Amazon flooded forest — Generally best time: March to July — Good to know: High water: boating through the igapós.
• Amazon on foot and river beaches — Generally best time: August to November — Good to know: Low water: more trails and beaches, as in Alter do Chão.
• Rio de Janeiro and cultural sightseeing — Generally best time: April to November — Good to know: Milder climate; summer is very hot.
• Jericoacoara and the wind — Generally best time: July to December — Good to know: A popular time for kitesurfing.

Lençóis Maranhenses: aim for the right moment

This is the destination where dates matter most. The lagoons form from rainwater that collects between the dunes. They are generally at their most beautiful between June and September, when the rains have stopped but the water is still there. By the end of the year, many of them dry up.

Brazil Vip tip: If you can only travel at the end of the year, visit the Lençóis for the beauty of the dunes and focus on the Parnaíba Delta and Jericoacoara, which are great to visit year-round.

Amazon: high water or low water?

There is no bad season in the Amazon, just two different experiences. At high water, boats glide among the trees of the flooded forests, and you navigate where you would be walking a few months later. At low water, there are more forest trails, and large sandy beaches appear along the rivers.

Either way, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed: they depend on nature and on everyone’s patience.

Pantanal and wildlife watching

For wildlife lovers, the dry season is the most sought-after: as animals concentrate around the watering holes, they become easier to spot, including jaguars in certain areas of the northern Pantanal.

Rio, Salvador and the historic towns

You can visit the cities year-round. Summer is the season for beaches and nightlife, but also for heat and storms. For walking the cobblestone streets of Paraty, Ouro Preto or Pelourinho, the southern winter is often more comfortable.

Carnival, New Year’s and school vacations

Carnival, New Year’s and the Brazilian school vacations (December to February, then July) are the busiest periods. Prices go up, hotels fill up fast and booking conditions are often stricter. If you’re aiming for these dates, it’s best to book several months in advance.

Brazil Vip tip: Tell us your dates and what you’d like to do: we’ll tell you honestly whether the season is ideal for each stop, and which alternatives to choose if it isn’t.