Brazil has five climatic regions: equatorial, tropical, semi-arid, highland tropical and subtropical. Sao Paulo and Brasilia, on the plateau, have a mild climate with temperatures averaging 19 degrees Celsius. Coastal cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Natal and Salvador, have warmer climates balanced by the Trade Winds. Rio’s average temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius rises to the high 30s during summer. The southern Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Curitiba are subtropical, with hot summers and frosts and below zero temperatures in winter. In the Amazon, days are generally warm, wet and humid but temperatures rarely rise above 32 degrees. There’s a rainy season (November to May) and not-so-rainy season (June to October).
Brazil is huge and the best (though not the cheapest) way to get around the country is by taking domestic Brazil flights. If you’re planning to visit a few regions or cities, purchase a Brazil Pass when booking your airline ticket.
In major cities the most convenient and safest, way to get around is by taxi.
Buses are a good, reliable option for long-distance travel. All major cities are linked by bus.
While rental cars are available at the airport, be warned driving can be incredibly frustrating and often dangerous.