Brazil is a huge country, but our trips take place in areas that are either tropical or subtropical, so the weather variations are not likely to be severe during your trip. Travel takes place throughout the year and while you can be sure of hot weather during our northern winter, you can also be sure that you’ll get pleasantly warm weather during our summer months (and see fewer travelers).
In Rio de Janeiro the summer months of December through March can be quite warm and humid with temperatures reaching into the mid 80s or 90s. The temperatures are moderated by the trade winds that blow in off the coast, making the coastal areas pleasant even during the hottest months. Most of the precipitation during the summer months comes in the form of quick downpours lasting 1-2 hours before clearing up. It’s a good idea to bring a small packing umbrella to Brazil, in case you get caught in a downpour. During the winter months the temperatures drop a bit to the mid 70s, with a mix of rain and sun. These weather conditions hold true for much of Brazil’s coast line north of Rio, with slightly higher temperatures in the northern cities such as Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza. These cities generally receive somewhat less rainfall than Rio as well.
In Sao Paulo and to the south the weather has a larger variation in the climate, with winter month temperatures often falling into the 40s and 50s.
The Amazon receives the most rain, with high precipitation throughout most of the year (though relatively less in the “dry season” of approximately June through September), and temperatures consistently in the 80s and 90s. The Pantanal is similar to the Amazon, but on average slightly less hot and humid, and is less likely to have rain during the dry season.
Iguazu has a sub-tropical climate, and is surrounded by rainforest, with temperatures varying from the 60s and 70s (June and July) up into the 80s and 90s (December and January). It is an area of significantly less precipitation than the tropical areas to the north. April to July is the period of least rain, and during this time the falls can diminish in size, though they almost never run dry.