When to Go

The towns along the Costa do Sol and Costa Verde are packed solid between Christmas and Carnival, so reservations should be made well in advance. The populations of Paraty and Búzios can more than double as young people arrive from nearby Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on the weekend. Paraty books up well ahead of its annual literary festival (July) and cachaça festival (August).

The weather along the coast is fairly predictable: summers are hot. During low season, from March to June and September to November, the weather is milder and there is plenty of elbow room on the beach. To top it off, prices can be half of what they are in high season. In the interior, Petrópolis and Teresópolis provide a refreshing change from the oppressive heat of the coast. The beaches and towns along the Emerald Coast, thus named because of the abundance of tropical vegetation framing the turqoise-green waters, often attracts the most rain due to its topography. Check the forecast on local site www.climatempo.com.br if this is a concern.