Christ the Redeemer and Cariocas, are always with open arms to welcome those who want to visit the Marvelous City. It is agreed that there is no bad time to visit Rio de Janeiro.
However, we know that each traveler has its preferred season of the year to go on vacation. Cariocas, for example, “do not like cloudy days” – as the song by Adriana Calcanhoto says.
So if you prefer warm, sunny days, or if you prefer milder days, or even if you like to escape the high season, this article is for you. Read our tips and find out the main aspects of the weather in Rio de Janeiro to know when is the best time to visit the city.
Weather in Rio de Janeiro: General information
Ordinarily, there is hot weather in Rio de Janeiro all year long, with sunny and beach days, even in winter. Perhaps, this is the main feature of our climate. The variations throughout the year are quite small and the seasons do not have characteristics as well defined as in countries of the northern hemisphere, for example.
This is not to say that every day of your trip will be warm and sunny. Cold, anticipated or unexpected fronts pass through the city at all seasons and yes, can lead to a sequence of days without a beach day.
Fortunately, there is a lot to do on a rainy day. But anyway, there is no overly rainy season here. The most precipitation months are December, January, and March, during high summer. Still, the rates reach only 140mm of precipitation – very low for a tropical city surrounded by mountains.
Seasons of the year in Rio de Janeiro
Some key information of how are the four seasons of the year in Rio de Janeiro is listed below.
Summer - From December to March (High Tourist season)
It is because of this season that there is a famous Brazilian expression to describe Rio: “Rio 40 degrees”. Yes, thermometers can easily reach 40 degrees Celsius this time of year. Added to the high relative humidity, it gets really hot! And that is why it is also the wettest season. These are not cold fronts, but what we call “summer rains”: thunderstorms that come suddenly after a very hot day and go as fast as they came. The phenomenon usually happens in the evenings, but may also occur at other times of the day. And it’s good to know: the rains don’t always freshen or interfere the day, but it’s important to know how to deal with them. Learn more about the storms in Rio de Janeiro here.
With such hot days, sightseeing in places like Boulevard Olímpico and Santa Teresa can be exhausting. On the other hand, without cold fronts, the sea tends to be very calm and, on many days, the color of the water surprises so crystal clear, with shades between green and blue.
Carioca Tip:
If you are coming to Rio de Janeiro during summer, know that many environments and establishments are refrigerated. So if the heat in the street is too hot, you can escape to any restaurant, store or mall.
Carnival and Réveillon - Peak season
Summer is also the busiest season in Rio de Janeiro. After all, it is during this period that happens the two biggest parties of the city (and the favorite ones of Cariocas): Carnival and Réveillon (New Year’s Eve).
In these two holidays, the city is full of Cariocas and tourists. Consequently, prices increase. If you come to New Year’s Eve, our tip is that you stay in Copacabana, preferably close to the beach. This way, you avoid having to use public transport, which, although efficient, gets often crowded.
→ Learn more about Copacabana in this article here. Search for discounted hotels in the neighborhood here.
→ Learn all about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro here.
Fall - From March to June
Cariocas love autumn! From April to June, temperatures are not as high as summer, but can still easily be around 30ºC. With cooler minimum temperatures, days and nights are more pleasant to walk around the city. Rainfall, which is higher in early autumn, decreases as winter approaches. And during your stay, you will probably realize that going to the beach will be irresistible.
→ Choose your favorite beach in The 10 best beaches in Rio de Janeiro.
Winter - From June to September (Low Tourist Season)
Winter in Rio de Janeiro records an average of 23 degrees celsius (minimums of 18 degrees and frequent highs of 25 degrees celsius). Believe me, for Cariocas 18 degrees is freezing! And you’ll see some of us walking in scarves, boots, and coats through the streets.
However, if you come from other parts of the world, you know that 23 degrees is an excellent temperature for walking and even enjoying a day at the beach. And so, winter can be a great option to visit Rio de Janeiro.
It rains very little during this period and, on sunny weekends, the beach is usually crowded. On the other hand, cold fronts arrive more often and may have cloudy days and cooler temperatures. For those who are in doubt about when to go to Rio de Janeiro, the uncertainty about the weather can weigh on choosing this season.
Spring - From September to December
Between September and December, the climate warms up again in Rio. Along with the heat, which can already reach 30ºC, also comes the higher probability of rain, which can happen with summer rains. Historically, monthly rainfall has risen from 54 mm in September to 95 mm in November. That is, dry weather predominates. The minimums return to around 20ºC, and the maximums climb the thermometers until they reach 30ºC.
Carioca Tip:
During public and National holidays, Rio de Janeiro gets perfect for enjoying the city (except for Carnival and New Year’s Eve). Because part of the population leaves the city, you will not experience the overcrowding problems usually associated with beach destinations (and which intensify at destinations close to Rio, such as Buzios and Arraial do Cabo). However, you will need to book tickets in advance for major tourist attractions. And if you want to go to the beaches of the West Zone, arrive early, because Cariocas that stayed in the city will have the same idea.
Now that you have all this information, did you find out when to go to Rio de Janeiro?
If you are not coming to enjoy Carnival and New Year’s Eve, we recommend that you come in May – June or September – October, which have milder temperatures and many sunny days. Nevertheless, don’t worry if you can’t visit Rio on these days; you may enjoy Rio de Janeiro a lot at any other time as well.
For more detailed information on the weather in Rio de Janeiro and other charts visit Weather Spark.
We are looking forward to your visit to Rio and, if you need help with planning your trip or company to experience the real Rio, check out our Carioca Experiences and Custom Itinerary sections.
Rio de Janeiro: When is the best time to enjoy the beach
