When to go, and What to do in Brazil

When to Go to Brazil:

Travel in and around Brazil can also be difficult during the following annual events:

• New Year: December 31 - January 1 - known locally as Ano Nove. Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro can be especially difficult to find during this period as up to 2 million people gather to party the night away.
• Carnival Rio: late February - early March - when finding accommodation anywhere in Brazil can be difficult.
• Independence Day: September 7 - fortunately, unlike carnival, this is only a one-day event as the whole country comes to a standstill!

 90% of the country falls within the tropical zone, so it rarely gets very cold. Because it is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are opposite those in the northern hemisphere: summer occurs from December to March. Summer is the best time to travel to the southernmost states (Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina) because parts of the region do get frost and occasional snow during the winter (June-Aug.). The coastal cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador are consistently warm all year round.  Carnaval celebrations are held throughout the country in February, although prices skyrocket during this period. The Northeast has beautiful stretches of seashore.During the region's dry season (May-Nov.), the heat is tempered by constant breezes on the coast. This is also a less expensive season in which to visit; many establishments all across Brazil offer reduced rates from April to June and August to November. Travel in the Amazon is best done when much of the region floods from January to June. 

If you love beaches, go to Brazil in December-March because it is humid and great to swim. The best time to go to Brazil when air fares are cheap go May-Nov.

What to do in Brazil:

Visit the beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, the Sugar Loaf and its Christ statue, the centre of Rio, the port, and the churches without forgetting one of the various samba schools.

Salvador de Bahia is worth a few days pause: Its historic quarter, superb churches and colonial quarter are all interesting places to visit. 

Other activities you may consider include a lesson in capoeira  (Capoeira is a Brazilian art ,combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music) and, if you visit in January, assisting with the carnival, less famous but just as festive as that of Rio.