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Brazil travel guide

A country-sized trip spanning Amazon jungle, Atlantic beaches and three time zones of city life

Best: May, Jun

Photo: heibe / Pixabay

Capital
Brasília
Language
Portuguese
Currency
Brazilian real
Time zone
UTC-05:00, UTC-04:00 +2
Plugs
Type C, N · 220 V / 127 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
188 / 190 / 192

Why visit Brazil

Brazil suits travellers with time to spare: its 8,515,767 km2 cover rainforest around Manaus, coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza and Recife, and inland hubs such as São Paulo and the capital, Brasília. May and June are the best months to go, with drier, milder weather in much of the country. The honest limitation is distance: with four time zones, moving between regions eats up real travel time.

  • A country the size of a continent

    Brazil covers 8515767 km² and has 214211951 people. One trip can take you from Atlantic beach cities to large inland cities far from the sea. Plan fewer places and more time, because distances between them are long.

  • Beach cities along the Atlantic

    Several big cities sit on the coast. Rio de Janeiro has 6211223 people, Fortaleza 2578483 and Recife 1488920. Florianópolis is much smaller at 587486, which suits travellers who want the sea without a huge city around them.

  • São Paulo, the largest city

    São Paulo is Brazil's biggest city, with 11451999 people. It is inland, not on the coast, so come for city life rather than beaches. It is a common starting point for trips around the country.

  • Inland cities in the north

    Manaus, with 2303732 people, and Belém, with 1303403, are large cities away from the Atlantic coast. They show a very different side of Brazil from Rio de Janeiro or Florianópolis. Allow extra travel time to reach them.

  • May and June are the best months

    Our data rates May and June as the best months to visit Brazil. If your dates are flexible, aim for these 2 months. Outside them, check local conditions for each region before you book, as the country is very large.

Is Brazil right for you?

Great for

  • Dry-season travellers in June and July, with about 1 and 0.5 rain days
  • Sun seekers: May to August averages 10.5 to 11 sun hours a day
  • City lovers choosing between São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and the inland capital Brasília
  • Coastal city trips to Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Recife or Florianópolis
  • Long, slow trips across a very large country with several time zones

Less ideal for

  • Anyone who dislikes rain: January brings about 28 rain days and 275 mm
  • Heat-sensitive travellers in August and September, when highs reach about 35°C
  • Short trips hoping to see a lot, as distances are very large
  • Travellers wanting cool nights: average lows stay above 20°C all year

Brazil right now: November

3.6/10
Avg high
31°C
Avg low
23°C
Rain days
23

Averages for Brazil.

Weather by month

This climate data is for Brazil's reference city, where May and June bring warm highs of 31-33°C, little rain (7-38mm) and up to 10.8 sunshine hours a day. September and October are tougher months: temperatures climb to 35°C, and while rainfall stays low, humidity and heat combine with patchy showers returning by October (131mm, 17 rain days).

Average highs and lows in Brazil by month January: high 30°C, low 22°C , 28 rain days . February: high 30°C, low 22°C , 25 rain days . March: high 30°C, low 22°C , 27 rain days . April: high 30°C, low 22°C , 23 rain days . May: high 31°C, low 22°C , 7 rain days . June: high 33°C, low 21°C , 1 rain days . July: high 34°C, low 20°C , 1 rain days . August: high 36°C, low 22°C , 1 rain days . September: high 35°C, low 23°C , 9 rain days . October: high 33°C, low 23°C , 17 rain days . November: high 31°C, low 23°C , 23 rain days . December: high 30°C, low 23°C , 27 rain days . 30°C 22°C JAN 28d 30°C 22°C FEB 25d 30°C 22°C MAR 27d 30°C 22°C APR 23d 31°C 22°C MAY 7d 33°C 21°C JUN 1d 34°C 20°C JUL 1d 36°C 22°C AUG 1d 35°C 23°C SEP 9d 33°C 23°C OCT 17d 31°C 23°C NOV 23d 30°C 23°C DEC 27d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Brazil (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Brazil: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Rio, São Paulo and Florianópolis in a Week

  1. Day 1–3

    Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro is a coastal city. Spend your first days on its beaches, walk along the waterfront and take in the views from the hills above town.

  2. Day 4–5

    São Paulo

    São Paulo is Brazil's largest city by population. Use two days to explore its neighbourhoods, markets and food scene before moving on.

  3. Day 6–7

    Florianópolis

    Florianópolis sits on the coast and is much smaller than São Paulo. End the trip with a slower pace, beach walks and fresh seafood.

10 days

North to South: Belém, Fortaleza, Recife, Rio and São Paulo

  1. Day 1–2

    Belém

    Belém is an inland city near the mouth of the Amazon. Use your first two days to explore its markets and riverside atmosphere.

  2. Day 3–4

    Fortaleza

    Fortaleza is a coastal city. Spend two days on its beaches and in the surrounding dunes.

  3. Day 5–6

    Recife

    Recife is a smaller coastal city than Fortaleza. Walk its historic streets and enjoy the shoreline for two days.

  4. Day 7–8

    Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's second-largest city and a coastal destination. Spend two days on its famous beaches and viewpoints.

  5. Day 9–10

    São Paulo

    São Paulo is the country's largest city. Finish the trip exploring its museums, restaurants and urban energy.

Food to try in Brazil

Feijoada

A black bean stew cooked with different cuts of pork and beef, served with rice, collard greens, and orange slices. It is Brazil's national dish and traditionally eaten on Saturdays.

Pão de queijo

Small, chewy cheese bread rolls made with cassava flour and cheese. They are a common breakfast item or snack found across the country, especially in Minas Gerais.

Moqueca

A fish or seafood stew cooked in a clay pot with coconut milk, palm oil, tomatoes, and peppers. It comes in two regional styles, from Bahia and from Espírito Santo.

Açaí na tigela

A thick, frozen purée made from açaí berries, usually topped with granola, banana, and guaraná syrup. It is popular as a breakfast or post-beach snack, especially in the north and along the coast.

Churrasco

Grilled meats cooked on skewers over an open flame, often served at all-you-can-eat steakhouses called churrascarias. It is a staple of Southern Brazilian cuisine, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul.

Caipirinha

Brazil's signature cocktail, made with cachaça, sugar, and muddled lime. It is served throughout the country and is especially popular in beach bars and during warm evenings.

Know before you go

  • Plugs: Brazil uses plug types C and N. Type N is less common worldwide, so bring a suitable adapter or buy one when you arrive.
  • Voltage: Brazil uses both 220 V and 127 V, depending on where you are. Check the socket or ask your host before plugging in. Chargers marked for dual voltage are the safest choice.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts for the first few days.
  • Emergency numbers: Brazil has several emergency numbers: 188, 190 and 192. Each connects to a different service. Save all three in your phone and check which one to call for police or medical help.
  • Currency: The currency is the Brazilian real. Tell your bank before you travel so your cards are not blocked.
  • Language: Portuguese is the official language, not Spanish. Learning a few basic Portuguese phrases will help, and a translation app is worth having offline.
  • Time zones: Brazil is large, at about 8515767 km², and spans 4 time zones, from UTC-05:00 to UTC-02:00. Check local time when you book domestic flights or buses.
  • Calling code: The country calling code is +55. Use it when you save local numbers, such as your accommodation, in your phone.

Brazil: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Brazil?

June and May score highest, at 5 and 4.9 out of 5. June has almost no rain, just 7 mm over 1.1 days, with 10.8 hours of sun and highs around 32.6°C. May is similar, with 38 mm of rain over 7.4 days and 10.5 hours of sun daily.

Is Brazil good to visit in August?

August scores 3.5 out of 5, rated as a tougher month. Rain is low, only 8 mm over 1.3 days, but highs reach 35.5°C, the hottest of the year. The heat, not rain, is the main issue this month.

What is the rainiest time in Brazil?

January to March bring the most rain, with monthly totals of 275 mm, 283 mm and 271 mm, falling on roughly 25 to 28 days each month. Sun hours drop to around 8.5 to 8.7 hours a day in this period, the lowest of the year.

Why does October score so low for travel?

October has the lowest score of the year, 1.1 out of 5, despite only 131 mm of rain. Rain falls on 17.4 days that month, and the shift between the dry and wet season seems to bring unsettled conditions that the data flags as the weakest stretch of the year.

What is the driest month in Brazil?

July is the driest month, with just 2 mm of rain over 0.5 days on average. It also has the most sun, 11 hours a day, and highs of 33.9°C, making it one of the best-scoring months at 4.5 out of 5.

Which Brazilian cities are on the coast?

Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Recife and Florianópolis are coastal cities in the fact pack. São Paulo, Brasília, Manaus and Belém are inland. Rio de Janeiro is the largest coastal city, with a population of 6,211,223.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Brazil.