Meteo Alter do Chão in aprile

Amazon-region forum threads describe January as squarely within what locals call the Amazonian 'winter' - the wet season - with genuinely heavy rain possible, though posters were consistent that it's very unusual for rain to fall the entire day; sun typically breaks through at some point. That said, one thread specifically warned that during the peak of the rainy season the surrounding area can flood, and recommended the dry season (roughly July through December, aligned with the Southern Hemisphere's drier months) instead for anyone prioritizing accessible trails and beaches over the lush, high-water river scenery January brings.

Forum posters describe September as squarely inside the Amazon's dry season - locally called 'summer,' running roughly July to December - which is also when Alter do Chao's famous river-sand beaches along the Tapajos emerge as water levels drop. Visitor reports from within this dry stretch describe delightful, warm conditions and calm, low water levels ideal for beach time and swimming, in contrast to the wetter 'winter' months when the river rises and submerges the beaches entirely. Posters treat the dry season generally, and September specifically, as the reliable window to actually see and enjoy the riverside beaches this destination is known for, rather than a hit-or-miss gamble on water levels.