Introduction

One of the most colourful and vibrant countries on earth, Brazil could certainly never be accused of being boring. It contains not only some of the most diverse flora and fauna, the largest rainforest and the longest river on Earth, but also the world’s biggest, most exuberant carnival.

Topping most people’s lists of places to see is likely to be the Amazon region, a vast swathe of tropical rainforest, which can be explored by boat along the Amazon River. Although famously diminishing in size due to deforestation, the jungle is still a remarkable area, home to a seemingly infinite array of creatures and plants. One of the most impressive sights is the Foz do Igiazu, or Iguazu Falls, whose waters gush at a staggering rate over a precipice into the Iguazu River.

Although the official capital is the modern city of Brasilia, far more people visit the lively city of Rio de Janeiro, where the beaches and general revelry are a major draw for party-loving travellers. Most famous for its wild carvival, held usually in February, the city is fun at any time of year and shouldn’t be missed.

Brazil also has some charming colonial towns that are well worth visiting. Olinda and Salvador are two of the most attractive, their cobbled streets drenched in olde-worlde atmosphere, both home to their own riotous carnivals and some delicious local cuisine. And if you tire of sightseeing, there are plenty of idyllic beaches along the 7,000km of coastline.

Weather

The North of the country has a tropical climate, with the South more temperate and with more marked seasonal variations. During the winter (June to August), temperatures in the South can drop to around 12 degrees centigrade, while in the summer, they tend to stay around the 30 mark, though many areas, most notably Rio, reach the high 30s from December to February. The Amazon basin is, unsurprisingly, very wet and humid.

The North is wettest from January to April, while the rainy season hits the northeast coast from April to July and the South and central regions from November to March.

As the best tactic is to avoid real extremes of temperature or rainfall, the best times to visit Brazil depend largely on where you’re going. As a general rule, though, the northern/northeastern regions are at their most comfortable from August to November, whereas in the South, April/May and September to November are the best times to go.

Average Weather Guide:

Temperature in Degrees Centigrade

Rainfall in Millimetres

The tables above are intended as guidelines only.