Brazil in September

September is one of the best times to visit Brazil outside peak season, especially if you’re looking to dodge the crowds. Brazilian winter is coming to an end and the temperatures are starting to rise again in southern Brazil, although you may also see a bit of rainfall. After the school holiday rush, it’s a great month to explore Rio de Janeiro though, as it’s pleasantly warm and still mostly dry, whether you’re planning to hit the city’s beaches or head up to see the views from Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado. It’s also warmer in the pretty historic town of Paraty and Ouro Preto, for a chance to explore two places built on the Brazilian gold rush.

At the Iguazu Falls, the chilly mornings are almost a thing of the past and it’s a dry month here as well. While the water at the falls themselves will be less, it’s lovely weather to explore and you get a sight of individual cascades with the rock peeking through, rather than the torrential curtain of water that follows the rainy season.

The rain has also passed in the north-east, with one of the driest months in Salvador in Setpember – a perfect time to discover the area’s African influences, along with historic Olinda and Recife. If you’re looking for beach time, you’re spoiled for choice whether you head to the north-east coast, for the glorious sands of Bahia, remoted Boipeba, protected Fernando de Noronha and the natural lagoons of Porto Galinhas, or if you venture to the south-east, around glamorous Buzios and unspoiled Ilha Grande.

With the dry season ongoing in the Pantanal, it’s one of the best times of year to spy an elusive jaguar, as well as discovering the other wonderful wildlife on a safari in the southern Pantanal or northern Pantanal. The drier weather is ideal for walking in the rainforest in the Amazon, with some of the best conditions for exploring the jungle, and the option of taking an Amazon cruise.

Festivals: Brazil celebrates Independence Day on September 7, with a national holiday and parades in most cities across the country. Rio de Janeiro’s is one of the most impressive.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, beach time, exploring the Amazon, spotting jaguars