When to Go

The towns along the Blue and Green coasts are packed solid between Christmas and Carnival, so reservations should be made well in advance. The populations of party towns like Paraty and Búzios can more than double as young people arrive from nearby Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo on the weekend.

The weather along the coast is fairly predictable: summers are hot. During low season, from March to October, the weather is mild and the beaches are practically deserted. To top it off, prices can be half of what they are in high season. In the interior, Petrópolis, Teresópolis, and Novo Friburgo offer a refreshing change from the oppressive heat of the coast. Prices are reasonable even during high season.