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Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro

The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is May–September, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

°C

mm

−10°0°10°20°30°40°
0100200300400500
  • Average daily high and low
  • Precipitation
  • Good month
  • Best month
  • Made good or best by an event
Average daily high and low temperature, average precipitation and each month's verdict
MonthAverage daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitationVerdict
January29.8 °C / 86 °F24.2 °C / 76 °F161 mm / 6.3 inneither best nor good
February30.3 °C / 87 °F24.4 °C / 76 °F110 mm / 4.3 ingood month, for Carnaval. The weather alone makes it neither best nor good.
March29.4 °C / 85 °F23.8 °C / 75 °F128 mm / 5 ingood month, for Carnaval. The weather alone makes it neither best nor good.
April27.7 °C / 82 °F22.1 °C / 72 °F105 mm / 4.1 inneither best nor good
May25.8 °C / 78 °F19.9 °C / 68 °F66 mm / 2.6 inbest month
June25.2 °C / 77 °F18.9 °C / 66 °F44 mm / 1.7 inbest month
July24.9 °C / 77 °F18.2 °C / 65 °F44 mm / 1.7 inbest month
August25.3 °C / 78 °F18.5 °C / 65 °F49 mm / 1.9 inbest month
September26.1 °C / 79 °F19.8 °C / 68 °F58 mm / 2.3 inbest month
October26.5 °C / 80 °F20.9 °C / 70 °F100 mm / 3.9 ingood month
November26.8 °C / 80 °F21.6 °C / 71 °F133 mm / 5.2 inneither best nor good
December28.7 °C / 84 °F23.2 °C / 74 °F147 mm / 5.8 inneither best nor good
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen

Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:

  • Daytime highs
  • Night-time lows
  • How warm it feels
  • Humidity
  • How much of the day is sunny
  • Hours of daylight
  • Monthly rainfall
  • How many days it rains
  • Days of heavy rain
  • Wind
  • Snowfall and days with snow
  • Major events, such as festivals

The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.

The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.

Best months by activity

Exploring outdoors

Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: good
  3. MMarch: good
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: best
  6. JJune: best
  7. JJuly: best
  8. AAugust: best
  9. SSeptember: best
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: neither
Best
May–September
Good
February–March, October

Rio's coolest, driest stretch from May to September is best for walking and sightseeing; the hot, humid, heavy-rain months from November to April are tough going, except that Carnaval in February and March makes the heat and crowds worth braving.

Why these months

  • February · good

    Made good by Carnaval.

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 83%.

    Against: feels like (high) 36 °C / 97 °F, average daily high 30.3 °C / 87 °F, wet days 12.3 days, precipitation 110 mm / 4.3 in, relative humidity 78%, days with heavy rain 3.5 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 43%, average daily low 24.4 °C / 76 °F.

    Watch out for: Carnaval crowds and price surge, Dengue fever risk.

  • March · good

    Made good by Carnaval.

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 85%.

    Against: feels like (high) 34.5 °C / 94 °F, wet days 15.4 days, average daily high 29.4 °C / 85 °F, precipitation 128 mm / 5 in, days with heavy rain 4.4 days, relative humidity 80%, share of rain falling in the daytime 44%, average daily low 23.8 °C / 75 °F.

    Watch out for: Carnaval crowds and price surge, Dengue fever risk, Easter week crowds and prices.

  • May · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 28.1 °C / 83 °F, average daily high 25.8 °C / 78 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, precipitation 66 mm / 2.6 in, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, average daily low 19.9 °C / 68 °F.

    Against: wet days 10.4 days, relative humidity 80%.

  • June · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 26.8 °C / 80 °F, average daily high 25.2 °C / 77 °F, precipitation 44 mm / 1.7 in, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 8.5 days, average daily low 18.9 °C / 66 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 80%.

    Also on: Festas Juninas.

  • July · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 26.1 °C / 79 °F, average daily high 24.9 °C / 77 °F, precipitation 44 mm / 1.7 in, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, days with heavy rain 1.5 days, wet days 7.3 days, average daily low 18.2 °C / 65 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 78%.

    Also on: Festas Juninas.

  • August · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 26.6 °C / 80 °F, average daily high 25.3 °C / 78 °F, precipitation 49 mm / 1.9 in, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, wet days 7.9 days, average daily low 18.5 °C / 65 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 77%.

  • September · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 28.2 °C / 83 °F, precipitation 58 mm / 2.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, average daily high 26.1 °C / 79 °F, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, wet days 9.2 days, average daily low 19.8 °C / 68 °F, relative humidity 76%.

  • October · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 29.3 °C / 85 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, average daily high 26.5 °C / 80 °F, average daily low 20.9 °C / 70 °F.

    Against: wet days 13.2 days, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in, days with heavy rain 3.2 days, relative humidity 79%.

    Also on: STU Skate Open.

Beach and swimming

Hot, dry and sunny. Penalises the monsoon hard.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: neither
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: best
  6. JJune: good
  7. JJuly: good
  8. AAugust: good
  9. SSeptember: good
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: neither
Best
May
Good
June–October

The sea and sun peak December through March, but that same stretch (plus November) brings heavy, afternoon-heavy downpours and, in Jan-Mar, feels-like heat past the ideal; the drier June-October season is the more dependable beach stretch, though the sea turns noticeably cooler.

Why these months

  • May · best

    In its favour: average daily high 25.8 °C / 78 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, precipitation 66 mm / 2.6 in, feels like (high) 28.1 °C / 83 °F, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, average daily low 19.9 °C / 68 °F, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph.

    Against: wet days 10.4 days.

  • June · good

    In its favour: precipitation 44 mm / 1.7 in, average daily high 25.2 °C / 77 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, feels like (high) 26.8 °C / 80 °F, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 8.5 days, average daily low 18.9 °C / 66 °F, wind (daily max) 15 km/h / 10 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 23 °C / 73 °F.

    Also on: Festas Juninas.

  • July · good

    In its favour: precipitation 44 mm / 1.7 in, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, average daily high 24.9 °C / 77 °F, feels like (high) 26.1 °C / 79 °F, days with heavy rain 1.5 days, wet days 7.3 days, average daily low 18.2 °C / 65 °F, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 22.2 °C / 72 °F.

    Also on: Festas Juninas.

  • August · good

    In its favour: precipitation 49 mm / 1.9 in, average daily high 25.3 °C / 78 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, feels like (high) 26.6 °C / 80 °F, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, wet days 7.9 days, average daily low 18.5 °C / 65 °F, wind (daily max) 19 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 22.1 °C / 72 °F.

  • September · good

    In its favour: average daily high 26.1 °C / 79 °F, precipitation 58 mm / 2.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, feels like (high) 28.2 °C / 83 °F, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, average daily low 19.8 °C / 68 °F, wind (daily max) 20 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: sea temperature 22.7 °C / 73 °F, wet days 9.2 days.

  • October · good

    In its favour: average daily high 26.5 °C / 80 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 76%, feels like (high) 29.3 °C / 85 °F, average daily low 20.9 °C / 70 °F, wind (daily max) 20 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: wet days 13.2 days, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in, days with heavy rain 3.2 days, sea temperature 22.2 °C / 72 °F.

    Also on: STU Skate Open.

Hiking and trekking

Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: neither
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: best
  7. JJuly: best
  8. AAugust: best
  9. SSeptember: best
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: neither
Best
June–September
Good
May, October

Rio's hills and forest trails are driest and coolest June through September, the best window for hiking; the hot, humid, rain-soaked months from November through April make for tough, slippery, sticky going.

Why these months

  • May · good

    In its favour: precipitation 66 mm / 2.6 in, days with heavy rain 1.8 days, share of daylight that is sunny 82%, daylight per day 11 h, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph.

    Against: wet days 10.4 days, average daily high 25.8 °C / 78 °F, average daily low 19.9 °C / 68 °F, feels like (high) 28.1 °C / 83 °F.

  • June · best

    In its favour: precipitation 44 mm / 1.7 in, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 8.5 days, average daily high 25.2 °C / 77 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, daylight per day 10.8 h, wind (daily max) 15 km/h / 10 mph.

    Against: average daily low 18.9 °C / 66 °F, feels like (high) 26.8 °C / 80 °F.

    Also on: Festas Juninas.

  • July · best

    In its favour: precipitation 44 mm / 1.7 in, wet days 7.3 days, days with heavy rain 1.5 days, average daily high 24.9 °C / 77 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, daylight per day 10.9 h, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph.

    Against: average daily low 18.2 °C / 65 °F, feels like (high) 26.1 °C / 79 °F.

    Also on: Festas Juninas.

  • August · best

    In its favour: precipitation 49 mm / 1.9 in, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, wet days 7.9 days, average daily high 25.3 °C / 78 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 81%, daylight per day 11.4 h, wind (daily max) 19 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: average daily low 18.5 °C / 65 °F, feels like (high) 26.6 °C / 80 °F.

  • September · best

    In its favour: precipitation 58 mm / 2.3 in, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, wet days 9.2 days, share of daylight that is sunny 80%, daylight per day 12 h, wind (daily max) 20 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: average daily high 26.1 °C / 79 °F, average daily low 19.8 °C / 68 °F, feels like (high) 28.2 °C / 83 °F.

  • October · good

    In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 76%, daylight per day 12.6 h, wind (daily max) 20 km/h / 12 mph.

    Against: wet days 13.2 days, days with heavy rain 3.2 days, precipitation 100 mm / 3.9 in, average daily high 26.5 °C / 80 °F, average daily low 20.9 °C / 70 °F, feels like (high) 29.3 °C / 85 °F.

    Also on: STU Skate Open.

An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Los Penitentes, 2831 km away.

Weather averages

Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Feels like (high) 35.3 °C36 °C34.5 °C31.5 °C28.1 °C26.8 °C26.1 °C26.6 °C28.2 °C29.3 °C30.4 °C33.5 °C
Days with heavy rain 6.2 days3.5 days4.4 days3.4 days1.8 days1.1 days1.5 days1.3 days1.6 days3.2 days4.3 days4.6 days
Time rain usually falls 3 pm6 pm3 pm3 pm12 am3 am11 pm4 pm10 am7 pm3 pm3 pm
Sunshine per day 10.3 h10.6 h10.3 h9.8 h9.1 h8.7 h8.7 h9.1 h9.6 h9.6 h9.9 h10.6 h
Relative humidity 79%78%80%80%80%80%78%77%76%79%80%80%

Sea temperature

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sea temperature 2022–202525.9 °C27.4 °C25.9 °C25.1 °C24.2 °C23 °C22.2 °C22.1 °C22.7 °C22.2 °C23.1 °C24.2 °C
Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–202526.3 °C27.9 °C26.3 °C25.4 °C24.4 °C23.2 °C22.4 °C22.3 °C23 °C22.5 °C23.4 °C24.7 °C
  • Very cold 10 °C or less
  • Cold 10 to 15 °C
  • Cool 15 to 20 °C
  • Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
  • Warm 25 to 28 °C
  • Very warm over 28 °C

The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.

Air quality

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–202521.8 µg/m³24.4 µg/m³23.3 µg/m³22.1 µg/m³22.7 µg/m³24.2 µg/m³20.6 µg/m³21.4 µg/m³20.3 µg/m³18.7 µg/m³18.7 µg/m³18.2 µg/m³
Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–202534.7 µg/m³38.1 µg/m³36.8 µg/m³34.5 µg/m³37.7 µg/m³38.5 µg/m³30.7 µg/m³33.5 µg/m³32.4 µg/m³30.3 µg/m³29.3 µg/m³28.6 µg/m³
  • Good 15 µg/m³ or less
  • Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
  • Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
  • Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
  • Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
  • Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³

Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.

Events and seasons

What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.

Reasons to go

  • Carnaval Major

    February and March, dates vary from year to year

  • New Year's Eve at Copacabana

    31 December–1 January

  • Festas Juninas

    June and July

  • STU Skate Open

    October

  • Rock the Mountain

    November

Worth knowing before you go

  • New Year price surge

    31 December–1 January

  • January summer holiday crowds

    January

  • Carnaval crowds and price surge

    February and March, dates vary from year to year

  • Dengue fever risk

    February and March

  • Easter week crowds and prices

    March and April, dates vary from year to year

World Heritage sites nearby

UNESCO World Heritage sites within 25 km, nearest first.

  • Valongo Wharf

    1 km away

  • Tijuca Forest

    9 km away

Other places in Brazil

Compare places month by month on the travel calendar

Monthly averages over 2006–2025, unless stated otherwise.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0), generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5). City data from GeoNames (CC-BY 4.0). Air quality from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and sea temperature from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, both via Open-Meteo.com. Coastline from Natural Earth. Ski areas from OpenSkiMap.org, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Skimap.org. World Heritage sites from Wikidata (CC0), from the World Heritage List © UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Readership from Wikimedia pageview data (CC0). Destination classification derived from English Wikivoyage, © Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).