Brazil time zones explained

Brazil has four legal time zones, from UTC−2 on Fernando de Noronha to UTC−5 in Acre. Most visitors stay on Brasília time (UTC−3), which covers the Federal District and 20 states, including Rio, São Paulo and the whole Northeast. Brazil has not used daylight saving time since April 2019.

This page shows which zone each state uses, the time difference with the US and UK, and where the zones trip up travelers.

The four zones

Brazil’s clocks run on four fixed offsets from UTC, set by federal law. The legal time rule dates from Decreto 2.784 of 1913. Lei 12.876 of 2013 set the current wording for the second, third and fourth zones.

Acre has moved before. Lei 11.662 of April 24, 2008 changed its time zone. Lei 12.876 of October 30, 2013 revoked that law and restored UTC−5 for Acre and western Amazonas.

Brasília time is the reference for the whole country. National TV, bank hours, government deadlines and many online systems use it. When a Brazilian says “horário de Brasília,” they mean UTC−3.

No daylight saving time

Brazil does not change its clocks. Decreto 9.772 of April 25, 2019 ended daylight saving time (horário de verão) across the country. It took effect on April 26, 2019, and revoked 25 earlier decrees.

Daylight saving stopped paying off for the power grid. Peak demand moved to the afternoon, when air conditioners run hardest, so shifting the clock no longer saved energy. The Ministry of Mines and Energy reviews the policy each year.

For summer 2026/2027, the government decided not to bring daylight saving back. A return would need a new presidential decree, usually announced weeks in advance. If you book travel for a future summer, glance at Brazilian news in September or October for any change.

Time difference with the US and UK

Brazil’s clocks stay put, so the gap changes only when the US or the UK changes its clocks.

US daylight saving runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. In 2027, that means March 14 and November 7. The UK changes its clocks on March 28 and October 31, 2027.

Manaus, the Pantanal and Bonito sit one hour behind Brasília time. Acre sits two hours behind. So in US winter, Manaus is one hour ahead of New York, and Rio Branco has the same time as New York.

For US travelers, the small gap is good news. Flights from the East Coast arrive with little or no jet lag. From the UK, expect three or four hours of difference, a mild adjustment for most people.

Where the zones catch travelers

Flights between zones. A flight from São Paulo to Manaus or Cuiabá lands in UTC−4. Airline tickets show departure and arrival times in local time. Check which zone your connection uses before a tight transfer. See domestic flights in Brazil.

The Pantanal and Bonito. Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul use UTC−4. If you drive in from Goiás or São Paulo state, set your watch back one hour. Lodge pickup times and boat trips run on local time.

Fernando de Noronha. The islands use UTC−2, one hour ahead of Recife and Natal on the mainland. Return flights leave on island time, so check your ticket carefully.

Western Amazonas and Acre. The Tabatinga–Porto Acre line splits Amazonas state in two. Towns west of it use UTC−5. If you travel up the Solimões, confirm local time with your boat operator or lodge.

Tocantins and Jalapão. Tocantins is on Brasília time, like Goiás and Bahia next to it.

Border towns. Neighboring countries keep their own time. Bolivia (UTC−4) and Peru (UTC−5) are behind Brasília time, so check the local time for bus connections on the other side of any border.

Daylight and sunset

Without daylight saving, the sun sets early in much of Brazil. Near the equator, days stay close to 12 hours all year. In Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza the sun rises early, often around 5 a.m. in summer, and sets around 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Plan outdoor activities around the light. Beach days and hikes start early in the Northeast. In the South, summer evenings are longer and winter days noticeably shorter. Do not start long hikes in the afternoon, since dark comes fast in the tropics.

Phones and bookings

Phones on a Brazilian network usually set the zone for you. Calendar apps, tour pickups and bus tickets need care, especially if your calendar stays on your home time. Write the zone next to any time you note down, such as “07:00 Manaus time.”

A few tips help:

• Turn on automatic time zone in your phone settings.
• Confirm pickup times in local time by WhatsApp the day before.
• When booking online from abroad, check which zone the booking site shows.
• Bus tickets show local departure time at the station where you board.

Holiday weeks fill transport, so check the Brazil public holidays 2027 list before you book.