Brazil - When To Visit

Given its size, deciding on the best time to visit Brazil depends a lot on where you are going. In Rio de Janeiro, conditions during May to September are similar to summer in the Northern Hemisphere, including periods of rain and overcast skies, with temperatures from 57°F to 82°F (14°C to 28°C). The southern states and it can get very cold in the far south; warm clothing is required as temperatures can change dramatically and it can get cold on high ground anywhere in Brazil, especially at night. The heaviest rain is from November to March in Rio and São Paulo, and from April to August around Salvador and further north. The rainy season in the north and Amazônia can begin in December and is heaviest from March to May, but the time period is getting steadily shorter, possibly as a result of deforestation. Summer time is from December to March and conditions all over the country are tropical, although temperatures rarely reach over 105°F (40°C). The average annual temperature increases steadily from south to north, so the best time to visit Brazil depends also on the latitude of your destination. Even on the equator, in the Amazon Basin, the average temperature is not more than 82°F (27°C). The highest recorded was 42°C, in the dry northeastern states. From the latitude of Recife south to Rio, the mean temperature is 73°F-82°F (23-27°C) along the coast, and 64°-70°F (18-21°C) in the highlands. Humidity is relatively high in Brazil, particularly along the coast. The brightness is also very high, so you are best advised to wear sunglasses.