The essentials
When to go to Brazil, in brief
Rio: the austral summer, Dec to March
Hot and sunny, 25-35ยฐC, perfect for beaches and Carnival. A few afternoon storms, but short.
Amazon: the dry season
From July to October, water drops and wildlife concentrates. Fewer mosquitoes, walkable trails, top viewing.
Pantanal: jaguars in the dry season
From April to October, it is the best window for wildlife. July-September gives the best odds of seeing a jaguar.
Northeast: dry from Sept to February
Salvador, Fortaleza, Jericoacoara: hot all year, 26-30ยฐC, drier September to February. Warm sea throughout.
Carnival: 14-17 February 2026
The world's biggest carnival in Rio, Salvador and Recife. Book far ahead, prices soar.
Reveillon at Copacabana
On 31 December, millions dressed in white celebrate the New Year on the beach, with giant fireworks.
The verdict
The best periods
Dec - March
Austral summer. Rio, the Southeast and the South at their best: beaches, Carnival, lively cities. Book early around Carnival.
July - Oct
Dry season in the interior. The prime window for the Amazon and Pantanal, concentrated wildlife and dry trails.
April - June
Shoulder season. Quieter and cheaper, falling rain in the Southeast. The Northeast, though, enters its wet season.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
25-35ยฐC
Summer, beaches, short storms
25-35ยฐC
Summer, Carnival
24-33ยฐC
Late summer, hot
23-31ยฐC
Mild shoulder season
21-28ยฐC
Cooler Southeast
19-27ยฐC
Dry, Festa Junina
19-27ยฐC
Dry, wildlife peak
20-28ยฐC
Dry, ideal Amazon
21-30ยฐC
Dry, Pantanal jaguars
22-31ยฐC
End of dry season
23-32ยฐC
Rain returns (SE)
24-34ยฐC
Summer, beaches, Reveillon
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio & Southeast | Dec-March: 25-35ยฐC, summer | Dec-March: afternoon storms | Ideal Dec-March |
| Amazon (Manaus) | July-Oct: dry, 26-33ยฐC | Dec-May: flood, rain | Ideal July-October |
| Pantanal | Apr-Oct: dry, 30-35ยฐC | Nov-March: flooded | Ideal July-September |
| Northeast (Salvador, Fortaleza) | Sept-Feb: dry, 26-30ยฐC | Mar-July: wet season | Ideal Sept-February |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Rio Carnival
The world's biggest carnival: sambadrome parades, street blocos in Rio, Salvador and Recife. Prices peak.
๐ง๐ท Rio, Salvador, Recife
Copacabana Reveillon
Millions in white celebrate the New Year on the beach, with giant fireworks and offerings to Iemanjรก.
๐ง๐ท Rio de Janeiro
Festa Junina
Catholic saints' festivities (St. Anthony, St. John, St. Peter): bonfires, dances and corn dishes, mostly in the Northeast.
๐ง๐ท Bahia, Pernambuco
Parintins Festival (Boi-Bumbรก)
The country's second-biggest party, deep in the Amazon: a spectacular duel of two troupes around the legend of the ox.
๐ง๐ท Parintins, Amazonas
Our analysis
Brazil is a continent in itself, and there is not one but several good times to visit. The rule: pick your region first, then your season. The classic mistake is to aim for summer in the Amazon when the opposite is needed.
Rio and the Southeast: the austral summer
For Rio, Sรฃo Paulo, the Costa Verde beaches and Carnival, aim for December to March. This is summer in the southern hemisphere: hot and sunny, 25 to 35ยฐC, warm sea. A few storms fall in the late afternoon, but they are short. Carnival 2026 runs from 14 to 17 February: book months ahead, as prices double. If you want to dodge the crowds, April and May offer a calmer, cooler and far cheaper Southeast.
Amazon and Pantanal: the dry season
This is where many get it wrong. For wildlife, aim for July to October. In the Amazon, water drops, trails open and animals show themselves, with fewer mosquitoes. In the Pantanal, the dry season from April to October concentrates wildlife near waterholes, and July-September gives the best chance of crossing paths with a jaguar.
The Northeast, on its own clock
Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza and Jericoacoara stay hot all year, around 26-30ยฐC, with a swimmable sea throughout. The nuance: their dry season runs from September to February, the opposite of the Southeast. To combine Northeast beaches and Carnival, February stays the best compromise.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Brazil? +
It depends on the region. For Rio and the beaches, aim for the austral summer from December to March. For the Amazon and Pantanal, choose the dry season from July to October.
When to visit the Amazon? +
From July to October, in the dry season: water drops, wildlife concentrates, trails are walkable and mosquitoes fewer.
When to see jaguars in the Pantanal? +
From July to September, at the heart of the dry season. Animals gather near waterholes, giving the best viewing odds.
When is Rio Carnival in 2026? +
From 14 to 17 February 2026. It is peak season: book flights and hotels several months ahead, as prices soar.
When to visit the Northeast (Salvador, Fortaleza)? +
From September to February: it is the driest window, with 26-30ยฐC and a warm sea all year. The wet season runs March to July.
Is there a time to avoid in Brazil? +
Nothing to avoid outright, but the austral summer brings afternoon storms to the Southeast, and the rainy season (Dec-May) makes the Amazon harder for wildlife.
Marie Laurent ยท Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026