When to go · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro
The sweet spot is July, August and June — averages 21°C, only 4 rainy days, few other visitors.
May - September
Tropical climate with two seasons: hot and wet (October-April) and warm and dry (May-September). The dry season (May-September) is the best time to visit: 25-28 degrees C, low humidity, and the city at its most pleasant. The Carnival (February or early March, dates change yearly) is the greatest street party on earth - 6 days of samba, blocos (street parties), and the Sambodromo parade. Book accommodation 6-12 months ahead for Carnival week and expect prices to triple. January-February is peak heat (35-40 degrees C) and rainy. The Christmas/New Year period brings the Reveillon beach celebration on Copacabana (2 million people in white, fireworks at midnight from the sea).
The short answer
21°C · 4 rainy days · low season
22°C · 4 rainy days · low season
22°C · 5 rainy days · low season
Hardest months: January and February. averages 26°C, 10 rainy days, peak-season crowds and peak prices.
Month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain days | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C | 10d | high | Comfortable but damp |
| February | 27°C | 8d | high | Hot |
| March | 26°C | 9d | mid | Comfortable but damp |
| April | 25°C | 7d | mid | Comfortable |
| May | 23°C | 6d | mid | Comfortable |
| June | 22°C | 5d | low | Comfortable |
| July | 21°C | 4d | low | Comfortable |
| August | 22°C | 4d | low | Comfortable |
| September | 22°C | 6d | mid | Comfortable |
| October | 23°C | 8d | mid | Comfortable but damp |
| November | 24°C | 9d | high | Comfortable but damp |
| December | 25°C | 10d | high | Comfortable but damp |
Verdicts are read off the three columns to their left — temperature distance from 21°C first, then rainfall, with crowds breaking ties. Averages, so any given week can differ.
If you'd rather go cheap than perfect
June, July and August are low season in Rio de Janeiro — thinner crowds, and the months where accommodation is easiest to book late. Budget travellers already work to about $25–60 a day here; low season is where the accommodation share of that goes furthest.
Book the month you picked
Fares move with the same seasons as the crowds — the quiet months above are usually the cheap ones to fly.