Brazil is, of course, the world’s fifth-largest country after Russia, Canada, the USA, and China, so this vast country is bound to have a variety of climates; it’s only natural, after all. Depending on where you plan to go in Brazil and your primary activities, you will always benefit by doing a bit of research into the local climate, so you don’t get any surprises.
The excellent ‘Destination Experts,’ who call Brazil home, are a fantastic way to get some valuable information, tips and tricks, access to hidden gems, and of course, travel and weather advice that varies from region to region, so this should be your one-stop-shop for having an incredible experience in Brazil. Until you meet your local legend, we will give you an overview of what to expect when it comes to notorious Brazilian seasons and the world-famous festivals this country offers, so you don’t miss out.
As well to this, Brazil is world-famous for hosting the best festivals (think Carnival), and we will guide you towards the best ones to get involved and have an authentic Brazilian experience.
So here is all you need to know about Brazil’s seasons and local festivities.
Seasons in Brazil
Brazil is the only country to have the Tropic of Capricorn – to the South and the Equator – to the North, running through it, showing how unique and expansive this country is. When it comes to the seasons, Brazil has a tropical climate overall, so these seasons although they sound familiar, are a little different from what you might imagine, so let us take a look.
Spring
September is the month when Spring appears in Brazil, just as Autumn is occurring in the North of the equator. The spring season lasts from September until November and sees the weather getting warmer (on average 16-27C/60.8-80.6F), places are still less crowded, so it is a great time to check out beaches and the Amazon with lower prices as a bonus.
Summer
The primary summer season is from December until March, with January being the peak month for tourists and locals to visit the coastline and resorts, but summer does last all year in Brazil, so that is an excellent advantage of having the equator on your doorstep. The best thing about summer is the temperature (on average 17-27C/62.6-80.6F). Still, it is the entire festival season, with Christmas, New Year, and Carnival falling within the summer season.
Autumn
Autumn in Brazil happens between March and May, and because so much harvest occurs during this time, there are minimal spring holidays, but as March is still the high season, festivities along the coast continue. In various parts of the country, you will notice that the beautiful autumn leaves will appear, which is something you might not have considered when thinking of Brazil. The temperature is around 17-26C (62.6-78.8F), making for a comfortable and visually stunning time to visit Brazil.
Winter
Due to the location in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed to those in the North, so winter in Brazil is between May and August. It might sound cold, but winter in Brazil has some pretty lovely temperatures (on average 13-27C/55.4-80.6F), which is certainly not what you expect when you think of winter in Europe or North America. This is a particularly great time to visit the Amazon region, which we will delve into a little further on.
- Hottest Month: February
- Coldest Month: July
- Wettest Month: December
- Windiest Month: October
When planning a trip to Brazil, there are many regions, so that the climate can differ quite. However, the country as a whole has a tropical monsoon climate, so it experiences a dry (July – November) and a wet season (March-August), so even though the temperatures never get that cold, you should prepare for rain or wind depending on the time and region you travel to.
The best time to travel
Depending on your plans, you might consider these options for the best times to travel to Brazil.
Festivals
For the best festival season, you might want to consider December to March as your time to travel to Brazil, with great temperatures, a fantastic atmosphere, and more.
Low Season
If you are traveling on a budget, this is the best time to travel, with lower prices and, of course, fewer people than the high season. May to September is the low season, with July to September is a good time for the Amazon.
Amazon, Pantanal Wetlands
The Amazon tends to be hot and humid all year round, so visiting in the high season is not enjoyable plus, the warmer months tend to be the wettest, so the best time for a trip to the Amazon is between July and December which is the dry season. If you don’t mind the rain and want the best chance to spot wild animals, it can be an excellent option to visit in the rainy season between January and June.
The Pantanal Wetlands is between July and October when the weather is at its driest, and the chances of spotting animals are also favorable. However, if you go here during the rainy season, it will be flooded, and many parts will be no-go areas, so always check in advance.
Local Festivities
Brazil is so world-renowned for its party culture that we could talk for days about all the festivals we recommend attending here, but let us give you an overview of the main festivals and most popular celebrations that you cannot miss out on.
If you have never heard of this ever-popular festival, you indeed will if you visit Brazil in February. This festival is so famous that many countries and cities have adopted their version of the event, but nothing compares to the real Brazilian one. This is by far the largest festival in the country and is the busiest time to visit the country, with it being smack bang in the middle of summer, but this is an unforgettable experience.
Carnival’s main event lasts for around a week, but the weeks leading up to and the week post-Carnival also involve themed parties that lead up to the main event and help people recover from the post-Carnival blues once it is has ended. So no matter when you arrive in February in Brazil, you will most likely get a natural feel for the spirit of Carnival that you won’t forget.
Festa Junina
As the name suggests, this festival happens during June and celebrates John the Baptist and rural life in Brazil. The festival is similar to the Midsommer celebrations, which occur around Europe and makes way for the harvest season, which is approaching. Although it begins in June, the celebrations can last until the end of July and into August. You can expect typical Brazilian food, farmer costumes, bonfires, and dancing, and it is considered the second most important cultural festival in the country.
The Oktoberfest of Blumenau is considered one of the most significant and essential versions of the German event globally and is the biggest in the Americas. Although it is a German festival, it celebrates the German-Brazilian culture, and it attracts almost a million visitors each year to drink beer, wear costumes, and experience street parties. It is held in the middle of October and is a fantastic festival to attend for cultural, historical, and social reasons.
This is what you can expect from Oktoberfest Blumenau.
Festival de Cachaca
This festival, held during a long weekend in August, celebrates the national spirit of Cachaca. This sugar cane-derived liquor is famous all over the country. This allows you to try a variety of delicious Cachaca, eat local food, watch an authentic samba show, and experience the colonial town of Party, which is the location of this famous Brazilian festival.
Parintins Folklore Festival
This is the second-largest festival after Carnival and is held in Parintins in the Amazonas region of the country. It is celebrated over three days in this region only, mainly because it = honors and commemorates the indigenous people, the traditions, and the culture of the Amazonas region, making for a truly cultural experience.
