Brazil is a big country, covering 8.5 million square kilometres (3.2 million square miles) and its climate varies considerably from north to south, although it should be said that a large part of Brazil (roughly 60%) lies in the tropics.

In general, Brazil is a year-round destination with temperatures rarely dip below 20°C (68°F), apart from in the mountains and southern regions. The climate varies from hot and dry in the arid interior to humid and sticky in the tropical rainforests of the Amazon jungle.

Belém is the capital and largest city of the state of Pará in the country's north, as well as the gateway to the River Amazon. Belém has a tropical rainforest climate with daily mean stands at a toasty 26°C (79°F) throughout the year. The city also receives a fair amount of rain (60mm on the average) all year round.

São Paulo, situated in South-eastern Brazil, is the country's the most populous city. São Paulo has a humid subtropical climate with indistinct four seasons. January is the hottest and also the wettest month, with an average temperature of 25°C (76°F) and 170mm of rainfall. On the contrary, June is the coldest month although temperatures still averaging at a comfortable 19°C (66°F).

Rio de Janeiro is about 440km (273 miles) east of São Paulo but has a different climate classification. Rio's summer (December to February) can be very hot with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F), plus the city also receives abundant rainfall. The hot and wet weather doesn’t stop millions of tourists coming to Rio de Janeiro in January or February for the annual Carnival though. Rio's winter (July and August) is still fairly warm with temperatures averaging 21°C (70°F), making it an ideal time to visit. For more information, see this weather in Rio de Janeiro guide.

Curitiba is the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Paraná. Located 478km (297 miles) south of São Paulo, Curitiba is in the south region and has a subtropical highland climate with cold fronts bringing rains in summer (December to February) and cold winds in winter (June to August). February is the hottest month, averaging 22°C (72°F) while the average temperature drops to around 15°C (59°F) in June. Also note that parts of the south region, particularly the plateau region, it can get near 0°C (32°F) in winter.

As the weather is generally on the warmer side, bring clothes made from lightweight natural fabrics such as cottons and linens which you can layer up. Waterproofs are a must if visiting during the rainy season, or places like Belém where it receives a substantial amount of rain year around. Bring warm clothing if visiting the south during winter (June to August). On the other hand, the extremely humid climate of the Amazon region demands quick-dry shirts and long cotton pants for any treks or activity tourism. Sunlight around the tropics is extremely strong, so take a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses. Long-sleeve cotton shirts are also useful in the jungle; they protect you from mosquito bites and the sun.