Rio de Janeiro in March
In March, Rio de Janeiro averages 29°C (84°F) during the day and 23°C (73°F) at night, with around 13 days of rain (128 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are warm and beach-friendly. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.
March offers comfortable temperatures in Rio de Janeiro, with some rain to plan around.
How March compares to the rest of the year in Rio de Janeiro
March is one of the warmest months in Rio de Janeiro (3rd of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 2°C above the annual average (27°C). March runs 1°C cooler than February (30°C) and cools 1°C in April (28°C).
March sunrise & sunset in Rio de Janeiro
Times shown for Rio de Janeiro local time (America/Sao_Paulo), calculated for the 15th of March. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Rio de Janeiro — March
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of March, in Rio de Janeiro's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Rio de Janeiro in March
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on March's tier (Shoulder) and Rio de Janeiro's popularity.
March in Brazil — events that affect travel
Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.
The biggest party on earth — 5 days of all-night samba, blocos, and the Sambadrome. Rio hotels triple in price and book out 6 months ahead. Salvador and Recife host smaller versions.
Plan: Plan accommodation 6+ months ahead. The Sambadrome parades need separate tickets. Bring comfortable shoes.
Crowds & pricing — March in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — March in Rio de Janeiro
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
Sea temperature in Rio de Janeiro — March
Across the year Rio de Janeiro's sea swings from 22.5°C (August) to 27.4°C (February) — March sits at 26.8°C.
Rio de Janeiro in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 75°F | 138 mm | 13 | — |
| February | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 75°F | 130 mm | 11 | — |
| March | 29°C / 84°F | 23°C / 73°F | 128 mm | 13 | — |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 22°C / 72°F | 88 mm | 11 | — |
| May | 26°C / 79°F | 20°C / 68°F | 70 mm | 9 | — |
| June | 25°C / 77°F | 19°C / 66°F | 56 mm | 7 | — |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | 18°C / 64°F | 41 mm | 7 | — |
| August | 26°C / 79°F | 19°C / 66°F | 51 mm | 8 | — |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 19°C / 66°F | 87 mm | 11 | — |
| October | 26°C / 79°F | 20°C / 68°F | 86 mm | 13 | — |
| November | 28°C / 82°F | 21°C / 70°F | 108 mm | 13 | — |
| December | 29°C / 84°F | 23°C / 73°F | 130 mm | 14 | — |
Other cities with similar March weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Rio de Janeiro in March →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Rio de Janeiro in March?
In March, Rio de Janeiro averages a high of 29°C (84°F) and a low of 23°C (73°F) — generally warm.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in March?
March can be fairly wet in Rio de Janeiro, with about 13 rainy days on average.
Is March a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
March is warm. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Rio de Janeiro in March?
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full March packing list for Rio de Janeiro for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.