Belém sits close to the equator and is hot and humid year-round; the temperature rarely drops below 25°C even at night. There is a wetter season from December to May and a drier season from June to November, but "drier" is relative — the city averages over 2,700 mm of rain annually, and afternoon downpours are common even in the dry season. The rain tends to be intense and brief rather than sustained.
The most important thing to know is October: the Círio de Nazaré procession brings around two million people to the city on the second Sunday of the month, making it the largest Catholic procession in the world. Hotels book out months in advance and prices spike, but the experience — the crowds, the noise, the genuine devotion — is unlike anything else in Brazil. Book early if you want to be there; go elsewhere if you want a quiet visit.
COP30 is scheduled for Belém in 2025, which will bring significant infrastructure investment and international attention to the city.