Things to Do in Brazil in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Brazil
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + December lands in Brazil's shoulder season, Copacabana hotels slash rates 30-40% from January highs, and snagging a table at Aprazível in Santa Teresa no longer demands a six-week advance plea.
- + The rains arrive on schedule, thirty-minute bursts around 3 PM, gifting you cloud-free mornings for 8 AM beach runs and sunset skies that photographers stalk all year.
- + Rio's summer street parties begin their slow boil, you'll stumble on early blocos rehearsing beneath Lapa's arches, samba rhythms ricocheting through the tunnels until 2 AM.
- + Whale watching peaks along the northeast coast, humpbacks breach within 200 meters (656 ft) of Praia do Forte's lighthouse through mid-December, close enough to hear the tail slap echo across the water.
- − The humidity pulls no punches, 70% most days, and cotton t-shirts glue themselves to your back five minutes after you step out of air conditioning.
- − Christmas through New Year's flips the script, prices triple, beaches cram shoulder-to-shoulder, and landing a room turns into hand-to-hand combat.
- − Afternoon storms cancel beach plans 40% of the time, if you need five flawless beach days, book six or seven.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December marks the tail end of humpback migration, boats leave Praia do Forte at 8 AM sharp when the sea lies glass-calm, and mother whales surface beside calves so close you hear their breath. The afternoon rains haven't arrived, and the 27°C (81°F) water invites you to jump in after sightings.
December's cloud-diffused light makes Santa Marta's painted houses explode against the green mountainside, golden hour starts at 5:30 PM instead of 6:30, gifting an extra hour of perfect light before the daily 7 PM rain sweeps in over Sugarloaf.
The dry season is ending but water levels haven't peaked, pink river dolphins glide beside your canoe at Lago Janauari, and afternoon storms drop the temperature to a bearable 26°C (79°F) instead of the usual 35°C (95°F) furnace.
Vila Madalena's murals shift under December's theatrical sky, pre-storm light electrifies the colors, and cycling between Beco do Batman and Rua Gonçalo Afonso beats slogging through 80% humidity. When the rain strikes, duck into cafés roasting beans from Minas Gerais.
December swells march in clean from Antarctica, Joaquina Beach's left-hand breaks fire best in the morning before the wind stirs, and the 24°C (75°F) water lets you leave the wetsuit at home. After surfing, island oyster bars serve shellfish hauled from beds that morning.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
December 31st delivers Brazil's most stirring spiritual scene, thousands in white wade into Copacabana's surf at midnight, launching boats laden with white roses and perfume for the sea goddess. Lavender drifts on the breeze above the thud of 500 drums.
Gramado's Christmas Light Festival turns the whole town into a life-size advent calendar, 2 million LED lights shimmer across the lakes while 15°C (59°F) mountain air carries pine and hot chocolate from 30+ wooden stalls.
Packing Checklist
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Brazil
Top-rated things to do in Brazil this December
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