Brazil in April

Brazil is enjoying one of its drier months in April, especially in the south of the country, where it’s getting cooler but with fewer rainy days. Officially it’s shoulder season in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte and around the beaches of the south-east, but that means it’s likely to be much less crowded and much less humid than earlier in the year – and still comfortably warm enough to explore.

Perfect if you’re planning to walk up Sugarloaf Mountain, or explore Rio’s Tijuca National Park, plus you should get clear views from Corcovado and plenty of sun on the glamorous beaches including Copacabana and nearby Buzios. In colonial Paraty, the temperatures are ideal for strolling the historic centre, and still warm enough to enjoy the beaches along the coast here, such as Ilha Grande.

Or in the far south, you’ll spot butterflies as you explore around the Iguazu Falls. The cascades are still full after the summer rains, and apart from Easter week, it’s usually quieter here this month..

The rains are also finally easing in the Pantanal, making it a great time to see the animals – head off on a safari in the quieter southern Pantanal, enjoy a wetlands safari in the north, or even combine wildlife-spotting with snorkelling.

The Amazon is also coming to the end of its wettest period, but it’s hot, humid and harder to explore after so much rain, so it’s better to wait until the drier months get underway. It’s rainier in north-eastern Brazil too, with one of the wettest months around Salvador, so it’s not the best time to hit the beaches at Bahia.

Festivals: Easter week, or Semana Santa, is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Brazil, with traditional events marking the occasion. In pretty Ouro Preto, the cobbled streets are carpeted in flowers, placed to make intricate patterns.

Best for: Exploring southern Brazil, a safari in the Pantanal, Iguazu Falls, the beaches of the south-east