Accounting for nearly half of the surface area of South America, Brazil does not disappoint. Being the 5th largest country in the world, there’s so much to do and see on an expedition here. From beaches to vineyards; from urban to rural! But with so many activities and events to partake in, how do you narrow down the best time to visit this stunning country? Well, that depends on what interests you! Here is a break-down of weather, events, and other activities to know for the year so that YOU can find the best time to travel to Brazil!
JANUARY - MARCH
During the first few months of the year, Brazil is coming out of the rain season. In January, it will rain approximately 12 days of the month, and by the time March comes along, it’ll only rain about 7 days of the month. January and March are very similar in temperature, ranging from 73-84°F. February it does get a tad warmer, reaching up to 87°F. Keep in mind, these are the averages for more urban areas. It’ll be a lot warmer, with higher levels of precipitation if you decide to spend part of your expedition nearer to the rainforest.
EVENTS:
Carnaval - Signaling the start of Lent for Roman Catholic (and some Christain denominations), this event has reached fame all around the world! Every city in Brazil will have their own traditions, but you can be sure that wherever you spend this holiday, you’ll have a ton of fun! Today, Carnaval is characterized by colourful costumes and decorations, parades, street parties, and plenty of other activities to celebrate! Given its international fame, Brazil gets immensely crowded during the months of February and March. In addition to this, prices for flights and accommodation reach an all-time high. If you prefer to have a little more space to yourself, or save some money, it’s suggested not to go during this time of the year.
Easter - Being that Brazil has one of the largest Catholic populations in the world, it’s no surprise that Easter is a well-loved holiday throughout the country. Known by the locals as Páscoa, it is a part of Semana Santa (Holy Week). Many different religious events and special masses are held. The most famous Páscoa events happen on Ouro Preto in the city of Minas Gerais. The entire street is decorated in beautifully bright decorations the Saturday before Easter. In the area, you can hear the locals singing religious songs to celebrate! This holiday is meant to be spent with friends and family.
APRIL - JULY
For those of us in the more Northern countries, these months are some of our warmest as we shift into Summer. However, in Brazil, these are actually some of the coolest months (although I definitely wouldn’t consider them cold compared to where I live). In April, temperatures will range from 72-82°F, and will slowly cool down over the next few months. Once it’s July, the temperature will have dropped to a range of 64-77°F. Along with a drop in temperature, there is also a massive drop in precipitation. The last push of the rain season comes in April, with an average of about 9 days of rain for the month. From May - July, it usually only rains a few days with an average of 2-3 inches for each month.
EVENTS:
Festa do Divino Espírito Santo - Nicknamed Cavalhadas by the local Brazilians, this festival takes place in the city of Pirenópolis, and occurs in conjunction with Pentecost. The exact dates of the festival depend on the Roman Catholic calendar, but it’s usually sometime in mid-late April. The festival features dances, tons of medieval festivities and tournaments, and plenty of other fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy!
Festival Intenacional de Balonismo - Although May is usually a quiet month in terms of tourism, there’s still lots of awesome things to do! If you’re in Brazil during this time of year, head to the southern coastal town of Torres, and partake in this amazing hot air balloon festival! The sky will be filled with colourful balloons, which is truly a beautiful sight! You can also attend many concerts, sporting events, and even a county fair over the course of this 5-day festival.
São Paulo Pride - Love is LOVE! São Paulo throws the biggest LGBTQ+ pride festival in the country, and one of the biggest in the whole world! This event happens in early June, and attracts over 3 million people! Show your pride, wave those rainbow flags, and march amongst fellow LGBTQ+ community members and supporters.
Bumba Meu Boi - The city of Maranhão comes alive from the 13th-30th of June. This mythical bull festival features dancing, singing, poetry readings, and people dressed up in colourful ox costumes! This festival is said to have African, Indian, and Portuguese roots.
Festas Juninas - If you want to celebrate every day, June in Brazil is perfect for you! Many folk festivals happen across the entire month to celebrate the feast day of different Saints. You’ll be able to see fireworks displays, concerts, attend lively bonfires, and taste some delicious local cuisine!
Festival Nacional de Forró - With July being the holiday month for schools in Brazil, many local families tend to go on vacation during this month. Brazil is quiet during this month, but don’t let that keep you away! In the adorable beach town of Itaúnas, you can enjoy 10 days of outdoor concerts at the Festival Nacional de Forró! This is a great event for off-the-beaten-path travellers, or those who enjoy spending your days dancing in the sunshine!
AUGUST - OCTOBER
August is the end of the “winter” season, so while temperatures are picking up, tourist crowds are still low. In August, you’ll see temperature in the range of 66-79°F, which will remain about the same in September, and pick up by a few degrees as we head into October. Precipitation will also begin to pick up again as we head into the rainy season. You’ll see about 5 days of rain in August, a week’s worth in September, and into the double digits once October hits.
EVENTS:
Festival de Gramado - This film festival has been a favourite by Brazilians since the early 70’s! For 9 days in August, this film festival showcases the talent of Brazilian and other South American film industries.Although there might be a slight language barrier, you’ll get to experience Brazilian culture through their entertainment industry!
Wildlife Watching - In September, there aren’t many popular events to attend. But although there might not be a lot of human activity going on, there is certainly a lot of wildlife activity! This is one of the most recommended months to go wildlife watching. You might be able to see ocelots, three-toed sloths, or a variety of species of monkeys such as howler monkeys in Parque Nacional de Tijuca near Rio de Janeiro. If you head farther out to the Pantanal, you might have the opportunity to view a colourful variety of birds, as well as river otters, anacondas, capybaras, and jaguars! With every instance of wildlife viewing, please be respectful. Always go with a certified guide, and keep yourself at a distance from the animals, for your safety and theirs.
Oktoberfest - Brazil is home to a significant group of people with German roots, and they have brought their culture to South America! In mid-October, the city of Blumenau comes alive with this traditional German festival that features beer-drinking, lederhosen costumes, and traditional German folk songs. It’s the 3rd biggest Oktoberfest in the world, after the original in Munich, Germany, and Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Ontario, Canada!
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
Once we reach the end of the year, the rainy season is in full swing. November will get about 10-12 days of rain, and approximately 4 inches of precipitation. December will have even more days, and about 5-6 inches of rain. Luckily, it also gets quite warm during these months! You’ll get temperatures ranging from 70-81°F in November, and up to 85°F in December!
EVENTS:
Maceió Fest - In the 3rd week of November, the city of Maceió comes alive! This annual bash is right up there with Carnaval, with 24-hour bars, tons of street parades, and amazingly colourful costumes. If you like to party, you shouldn’t miss out on this!
Reveillon - Attracting over 2 million people, Rio’s Copacabana Beach becomes filled with “revelers” dressed in white on December 31st, to attend concerts, celebrate, and watch the massive fireworks display to ring in the New Year! You’ll definitely be starting off your year right if you spend it here!
Do you think you’ve figured out the best time to visit Brazil for you? Acanela Expeditions offers year-round trips to Brazil! On a trip with us, you’d get to visit Rio de Janeiro, the Tijuca Forest, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Iguazu National Park, and many more stunning destinations! Brazil packs a punch...are you ready for it? Click here to learn more!
Post Written by Demitria Rounis