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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil · Tropical

Rio de Janeiro in December: go or not?

Good time. Rio de Janeiro in December gets 7.8/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 22.90°S · 43.17°W
⚡ This month's verdict
Go for it
Rio de Janeiro · December
7.8
23–28°
Temperature
48%
Rain
6h
Sun
🌴 Tropical☀️ High UV🌧️ Monsoon season
Photo : Kotryna Juskaite via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in December

Even in winter, Rio de Janeiro enjoys 28.0°F. A real asset for escaping the European cold. With 48.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if July (8.1/10) remains theoretically better.

December ranks 7 out of 12 months in Rio de Janeiro. Compared to November: +4°F daytime.

This month's conditions

What it's like in December

UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
very humid
22°
Sea
24°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
13.4h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 47
Compare

Is December the right month?

The best month in Rio de Janeiro is July (8.1/10), 0.3 pt higher than December.

See July →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Rio is one of the world's most spectacular cities: 6 million inhabitants between mountains (Pão de Açúcar, Corcovado) and sea (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon). September is my favorite month (8.6/10): 68-79°F, 28% rain, end of austral winter, ideal temperatures without stifling heat.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay
Hotels & rentals · Rio de Janeiro
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Rio de Janeiro

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Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Brazil

🗣️LanguagePortuguese
💶CurrencyBrazilian Real (R$)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 86°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 75°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 51%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore

Other destinations in December

If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
IguazúArgentinaDurbanSouth AfricaSydneyAustraliaFlorianópolisBrazilAsunciónParaguay
Nearby
São PauloBrazil361 kmPorto AlegreBrazil1127 kmChapada DiamantinaBrazil1177 kmSalvadorBrazil1209 km
Other top picks
DurbanSouth Africa7.8EssaouiraMorocco7.8FuerteventuraSpain7.8BujumburaBurundi7.7JohannesburgSouth Africa7.7
← NovemberJanuary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Rio de Janeiro ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Brazil
Tropical climate with a 8.1 → 5.2 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
22.90°S · 43.17°W
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
July is the best month with 75°F highs, 64°F lows, 6.1h of sunshine and 21.0% rainy days. The months of July & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Rio de Janeiro get in July?
Rio de Janeiro averages 6.1 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Rio de Janeiro?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Rio de Janeiro in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 64°F, while afternoon highs average 75°F.
Is Rio de Janeiro good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Rio de Janeiro scores 5.7/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.6/10.
When should you avoid Rio de Janeiro?
January is the most difficult month to visit Rio de Janeiro, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Rio de Janeiro in December?
In December, the sea averages 75°F in Rio de Janeiro: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Rio de Janeiro in December?
The average UV index reaches 8 in December in Rio de Janeiro (high), with about 13.4h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.