Worst time to visit Rio de Janeiro
Some months in Rio de Janeiro are clearly tougher for travel — extreme heat, cold, drenching rain, or peak storm season. Here's what to skip.
Country
🇧🇷 Brazil
Region
South America
Hottest
January 30°C
Coldest
July 18°C low
Wettest
December 14 rain days
Driest
June 7 rain days
Months to avoid
| Month | Why |
|---|---|
| December | very wet (14 rain days) |
What to expect in the worst months
December. 14 rain days out of 31 means roughly 45% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.
Better times to go
Better months: April (28°C, 11 rain days) · May (26°C, 9 rain days) · June (25°C, 7 rain days) · July (25°C, 7 rain days) · August (26°C, 8 rain days) · September (26°C, 11 rain days)
Better in the same region in December
If you're set on South America in December, these cities have more comfortable conditions in the same window:
If you still have to go — what to bring
- Wet: Real rain shell (not a "water-resistant" jacket), packable umbrella, dry-bag for electronics, quick-dry layers. Pre-book indoor museums and food halls.
Related Rio de Janeiro guides
The positive counterpart: which months are great and why.