The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro

Sandwiched between towering, forest-covered mountains and dreamy beaches, Rio is fabulous any time of year. Sill, some seasons work better than others depending on your needs and what you want to do when you arrive in this famously pleasure-loving Brazilian city. But when is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?

Each season brings its own tradeoffs. Expect hotter weather and bigger crowds in summer, for example – along with a festive atmosphere that can’t be beat. Calmer streets and lower prices prevail in autumn and spring, though the weather may not be as tropical as you’d expect.

Whether you’re in search of cooler temperatures for outdoor adventures, the biggest parties and celebrations you can find, or a way to stretch that travel budget as far as it can go, there’s a time of year that will appeal more than the others, in the city itself as well as nearby destinations like Paraty and Ilha Grande. Here’s a season-by-season guide to the best times to visit Rio de Janeiro.

What’s the weather like in Rio de Janeiro?

Rio lies south of the equator, which means the hottest months are from November to March, during the southern-hemisphere summer. Temperatures cool down between April and October.

During the southern-hemisphere winter, from June to August, you might get hit with some chilly, windy, gray weather – but such moments are (usually) broken up by blissful sunshine and 26°C (79°F) beach days.

As summer approaches, you’re more likely to experience afternoon downpours to quell the tropical heat than the cold and gray rain of winter. For the rest of the year, you can expect sunny skies and hot afternoons – along with the warm evenings that are perfect for nights out on the town.

Summer high season (December to February) in Rio de Janeiro

Best time for parties and festivals

Weather in Rio de Janeiro in summer: Summer weather in Rio is reliably hot and humid. Average high temperatures reach the 80s°F (around 31°C), with evening lows around 75°F (24°C). Showers occur frequently, with bursts of heavy rain followed immediately by sunshine.

In Rio, summer runs from December to February – and it’s the hottest, most crowded and most expensive time of the year. School is out for summer vacation, and tourists from across the country and around the world flock to the city to experience Rio’s world-famous New Year’s Eve and Carnaval (usually in late February).

Accommodation is absurdly expensive and likely to be booked out months in advance. Still, Rio’s summer festivals are once-in-a-lifetime experiences – and if you’re game for crowds and vibes you’ll find nowhere else in the world, a summer visit to Rio can be worth the expense.

February is time for Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro

Carnaval typically takes place in February (although the dates are different each year; it occasionally falls in March).

While the holiday itself only lasts a few days, Carnaval is a season in itself in Rio. Festivities start months before the big event, with street parties taking place nearly every weekend from the start of the New Year.

Even if you don’t want to go all out and attend Carnaval itself, you can get a taste of the experience without breaking the bank by arriving 1 or 2 weeks before the date, or by visiting the week after.

Fall shoulder season (March to May) in Rio de Janeiro

Best time to see how Cariocas live

Weather in Rio de Janeiro in fall: As the summer heat begins to fade, average spring temperatures range from lows in the low 70s°F (22°C) to highs in the low 80s°F (27°C). Showers become less frequent as the season progresses.

Brazilians say the year only really starts after Carnaval ends – which makes March the true “beginning” of the calendar year. And indeed, after a summer of relaxing on the beach and partying, Cariocas (Rio residents) start heading back to work, and life returns to a calmer pace.

The heat begins to break and, outside of the Easter holiday, tourism slows down significantly. March to May is the best time of year to get a true look at life in Rio, and slide into the day-to-day rhythms of the city.

Avoid Easter week if you’re on a budget. This major holiday sends prices skyrocketing and brings in tourist crowds reminiscent of the high season.

Winter low season (June to August) in Rio de Janeiro

Best time for pleasant sunshine and traditional festivals

Weather in Rio de Janeiro in winter: The cooler winter weather in Rio is relative: even at the peak of the season in July, high temperatures linger in the mid-70s°F (24°C), and temperatures rarely drop below 60°F (15°C). This is the driest time of year in Rio, though cold fronts can usher in cloudy, gray and occasionally rainy days.

June to August is winter in Rio. Temperatures remain generally lovely – though anything below 68°F (20°C) will cause residents of the city to put on their hats and coats and shiver in their Havaianas. Visitors would be wise to pack light layers for cool evenings.

Luckily, there's one winter tradition that makes the ”cold” worthwhile: the Festas Juninas. Running through June and July, these festivals major mark major saints’ days in typical countryside fashion, with endless parties featuring traditional dances, drinks and costumes.

The Festas Juninas are excellent fun, and range from super family-friendly events (they’re celebrated in schools across the country) to caipirinha-fueled parties lasting until the wee hours.

Spring shoulder season (September to November) in Rio de Janeiro

Best time for budget travelers

Weather in Rio de Janeiro in spring: In Rio, spring is the mirror image of fall, weather-wise, with average low temperatures around 70°F (21°C) and highs of 80°F (26.5°C). As summer approaches in November, things begin to get sticky again, with bursts of rain to match.

Spring might be the best time of year to be in Rio. School is back in session, temperatures have picked back up and days are typically sunny and beautiful.

There are heaps of cultural events and activities, from concerts to such full-on festivals as the STU Skate Open in October and Rock the Mountain in November. Yet outside of national holidays, you can still avoid the bulk of the crowds, and prices that shoot up in summer to match the temperatures.

This is also the best time to take trips around the state of Rio de Janeiro, including to the historic city of Paraty, the laid-back beaches of Ilha Grande and the mountain town of Petrópolis.