The month in detail
What to expect in January
In the height of summer, Rio de Janeiro sees high temperatures (86°F). Heat is a factor for outdoor activities. Expect rain on 35% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
January ranks 12 out of 12 months in Rio de Janeiro. Compared to December: +4°F daytime, +1.0h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
8 · very high
protection essential
Feels like
very humid
23°
Sea
25°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
13.3h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 42
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Rio de Janeiro is July (8.3/10), 2.9 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Rio de Janeiro
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Rio de Janeiro
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
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 ⓘJanuary · 35%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Rio de Janeiro ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
BrazilTropical climate with a 8.3 → 5.4 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 13.0% 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 7.8/10.
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 6.1/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.8/10.
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 January?
In January, the sea averages 78°F in Rio de Janeiro: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Rio de Janeiro in January?
The average UV index reaches 8 in January in Rio de Janeiro (very high), with about 13.3h of daylight. Protection essential.