Best Time to Visit Brasilia

May to August: dry season

This is when Brasilia works best. From May the rain mostly stops, and by July it's almost gone. Skies are clear, days are warm and evenings are cool enough for a light jacket. Mornings can feel properly fresh, with lows around 13°C in June and July.

It's a great time for walking between Oscar Niemeyer's buildings on the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the wide central lawn lined with government towers. You can climb the ramp of the National Congress and see the Cathedral's glass roof lit up by strong sun. Kids can run around Parque da Cidade without a storm chasing you off.

August is the driest-feeling month. Humidity drops to 43%, so your lips and nose may feel dry. Rain in July is almost nil. Hiking at Chapada dos Veadeiros, a few hours' drive north, is at its best now, with clear waterfall pools and open trails.

September and October: hot and changeable

September is the hottest month, with highs of 32°C. It's still mostly dry, but the air is very dry too. Afternoons on the open Esplanada have little shade. Use the middle of the day for museums, like the Museu Nacional, and save walks for late afternoon.

Then October flips. Rain returns on 17 days, and the sky turns grey. Storms often roll in later in the day, so plan outdoor sights for the morning.

November to April: the wet months

Expect rain on most days, usually heavy downpours rather than all-day drizzle. December has the most rain, at 215 mm, with January and November not far behind. Sun is scarce, and the air feels sticky. The upside is a very green city, and fewer visitors at hotels.

If you're coming for a work trip or a conference, it's fine. Just keep a flexible plan and enjoy the indoor sights, such as the Catetinho, the Cultural Centre of Banco do Brasil and the Santuário Dom Bosco, whose blue stained glass looks great on a grey day.

April is a gentle shift. Rain eases to 16 days and the air starts to dry out.

Crowds and events

Brasilia isn't a beach or resort city, so high season is quieter than you'd think. Business and government travel drives the calendar more than school holidays. Hotels can be busy on weekdays and empty on weekends.

In April, the city marks its anniversary on 21 April, with events and concerts. On 7 September, Independence Day brings a big military parade to the Esplanada. If you hate crowds, avoid that date.