Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro

Short answer: April to June and August to October bring warm, drier weather, clearer views and fairer hotel prices. Come in summer for the full beach life and Carnival, and accept the heat, the storms and the crowds.

Rio's seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere. Summer, from December to March, is hot and humid, with temperatures often in the low to mid 30s °C (the 90s °F) and heavy afternoon thunderstorms, so pack for both: our what to wear guide has the list. It's peak season for Brazilians too, the beaches are at their busiest, and the clouds often hide Christ the Redeemer by midday, which is why our Corcovado and Sugarloaf guide says to go early. Winter, from June to August, is mild and drier, with days in the low to mid 20s °C (the 70s °F). The sea is cooler, but it's a fine time for sightseeing and hiking, and the skies are often clear. Cold fronts can bring a few grey, cool days, so keep plans flexible.

From April to June the heat has broken, the rains have eased and the crowds have gone. August to October is the other window: the weather warms up before the summer rush, and the rain returns from November.

Carnival and New Year's Eve

Carnival takes place in February or early March, the days before Ash Wednesday. In 2027 the main samba school parades at the Sambadrome run from 7 to 9 February, and the winners' parade follows on the 13th. Hundreds of free street parties, called blocos, start weeks earlier. Réveillon, New Year's Eve on Copacabana, draws millions of people in white for fireworks over the sea. Hotel prices soar for both, with minimum stays, so book months ahead, or avoid those weeks if you're after a calmer trip. Samba schools hold rehearsals at their own halls in the months before Carnival, and technical rehearsals in the Sambadrome in January.