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Are you planning to visit Rio de Janeiro? As one of Brazil’s most famous destinations, Rio de Janeiro attracts tourists from all over the Americas, Europe, and the world.
With world-class hotels and stunning beaches, Rio de Janeiro is a paradise for budget and luxury travelers alike. Timing your trip right is critical if you want to get the most out of Rio de Janeiro and enjoy it to the fullest.
Why You Should Visit Rio de Janeiro
Rio, Brazil – February 21, 2020: parade of the samba school Academicos do Cubango at the Marques de Sapucai Sambodromo/Celso Pupo/Shutterstock
Tourists flock to Rio de Janeiro for many reasons. Some go for the beaches, while others go for the opportunity to meet other travelers. Tourist attractions like Sugarloaf Mountain, with its out-of-this-world views, give travelers something to remember for the rest of their lives.
The many beaches, from Ipanema to Cocopabana, are famous worldwide. There are also historical neighborhoods with stone-paved roads, giving you a sense of the past.
You can meet people from all over the world in Rio de Janeiro. Many people specifically go for Carnaval, which takes place every year. Carnaval, which is Portuguese for carnival, is a yearly festival that takes place on the streets of Rio de Janeiro before Lent.
It happens every year, without fail (although it didn’t occur during the height of Covid-19). In 2020, more than 10 million people participated in the Carnaval festivities! That included over two million tourists.
Carnaval is the largest party in the world, and anyone can join for free, as it takes place on the streets. Samba, a Brazilian-style dance, is a prominent feature of Carnaval.
Various Samba dance groups show up to display their skills, and many people simply dance to the rhythm of the many street bands and performers that partake in the festivities. Even if you don’t go during Carnaval, Rio de Janeiro is a lot of fun.
Rio is perfect for hiking activities and beach fun – it features a shoreline and beautiful mountainous areas, which is a rare combination. That’s no surprise, though, as Brazil is the most biodiverse country in the world! Many people go to see the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer, but Rio de Janeiro is much more than that.
Others go to learn how to dance the Samba, study Portuguese, or learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a Brazilian martial art based on Japanese Kodokan Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu but which developed into a unique martial art in Brazil.
Other Brazilian martial arts include Capoeira, Tudo Vale, and Luta Livre (Luta Livre is similar to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), and some people go to Rio to learn them. Capoeira, in particular, has a rich history and incorporates both dance and fighting moves.
Overall Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro
RIO DE JANEIRO, MARCH 3: Tourists are happy to see the first sunset after a week of rain and thunderstorms on the Corcovado Hill – march 3, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/Ksenia Ragozina/Shutterstock
The overall best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is between September to October, April to June, and around Carnaval time.
Remember, Rio de Janeiro is below the equator. That means that if you’re coming from Europe or the United States, the weather patterns will be the opposite of what you’re used to. December to March is summer, not winter, and the weather is the hottest.
From December to March, the weather will be hot, and there will also be quite a bit of rain, as the summer season is also the rainy season.
December and January are often the rainiest months, and there can sometimes be torrential rains that flood the streets. Still, it’s the most popular time to visit, so prices increase, and the beaches have crowds.
However, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and beautiful weather from September to October, with little rainfall and sunny, warm days. The nights will be cool, but they won’t be cold like in July and August.
Since the skies will be mostly clear, you will be able to see the most amazing views from Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, as well as other spots you choose to go to.
You can also sunbathe on the beaches of Rio, walk around and explore the city, or take a boat tour. The same applies to the period of April to June. It’s not too hot and not too cold, and there is little rainfall. You won’t be stuck inside or have to endure crowded beaches.
Accommodation is cheaper, simply because fewer people are going there, as people don’t have time off. If you plan on visiting for Carnaval, you’ll need to plan in advance.
It often falls in February, but since it’s dependent on Lent, which is dependent on the liturgical calendar, the exact date varies from year to year. It starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday, although some people may begin celebrating even earlier.
Note that finding accommodation can be difficult during Carnaval, as there are so many tourists coming not only from foreign countries but from all over Brazil. It’s advisable to book in advance.
You should also book tickets in advance. While you can join any street festivity for free, some events require entry tickets. You can see updated dates for Carnaval and buy tickets on RioCarnaval.org.
Cheapest Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro/Brazil – August 17th 2019: Aerial View from the Top of Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) and the famous Cable Car (Bondinho) overlooking the City and the Mountain Range of Rio/Antonio Salaverry/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Rio de Janeiro is between April and June and once again from September to the end of November.
Remember, the most popular time to visit Rio is from December to March. Outside that period, the prices of accommodation fall drastically, as many hotels, hostels, and Airbnb owners are desperate for guests.
Similarly, there is less demand for flights to Rio de Janeiro, so airfare costs also drop. The exception is in July and August, when it is summer vacation in the United States and Europe.
During those months, you can expect to see more tourists than usual, despite it being a little chilly, as many people simply have free time then. There will be crowds, and the prices of flights and accommodation will increase significantly.
Note that Rio de Janeiro is not a cheap place to visit, so it’s essential to plan accordingly. While the price of accommodation skyrockets during Carnaval, it’s not nearly as cheap as in neighboring countries like Colombia or Peru.
In general, budget travelers find the costs of food, accommodation, transport, and other expenses in Brazil surprising. Expect to pay $5-10 for a simple meal.
That’s if you are eating from local eateries that locals frequent. You can expect to pay a lot more if you eat at hotels, beachfront restaurants, or tourist-oriented restaurants. Accommodation can also vary considerably, depending on which area you stay in.
If you are on a budget, I recommend going March-April or October-November. During those times, the weather is still relatively good, but you won’t have to deal with the inflated prices of the high season.
Least Busy Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro
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The least busy times to visit Rio de Janeiro are between March and June and between September and late November.
December gets busy, as the weather is beautiful, and many people are off for the holidays. The absolute most active time, though, is during Carnaval, when hundreds of thousands of people flock to Rio specifically for Carnaval.
Rio is really crazy during Carnaval, so don’t expect a nice quiet time. The beaches will be full of people, and many streets will be full of people dancing, drinking, and just having a good time.
You can expect around two million people to show up to the festivities every day! If you are trying to avoid crowds, do not come during Carnaval. While it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s not for everyone.
Remember that with crowds, the risk of crime increases. With so many people on the streets, pickpockets will be out, looking to take advantage of drunk and unsuspecting tourists. There may also be bag snatchers and even armed muggers.
Another busy time to visit Rio de Janeiro is in July and August, when it’s summer in the United States. If you want to avoid crowds, avoid those two months and go in the months immediately before or after them.
Worst Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro
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The worst time to visit Rio de Janeiro is in July and August. July to August is winter time in Rio de Janeiro, so it can get pretty chilly at night.
You might need a jacket, and it won’t be as easy to enjoy pleasant sunsets on the beach, depending on the day. While Rio de Janeiro doesn’t get as cold as São Paulo, and the weather is still pretty nice (it’s nothing like winter in the United States), it’s not optimal.
However, because it’s summertime in the United States and Europe, it’s peak vacation time. People flock to Rio de Janeiro from all over the Northern Hemisphere, so things get hectic. Finding a pleasant, quiet spot on the beach can be hard.
Things to Consider
It’s essential to plan your trip to Rio carefully. Here are some things you might want to consider:
- Rio is a city of contrasts. Affluent areas with luxury hotels are close to favelas (slums in Portuguese). That means that there is always a risk of crime. Avoid wandering in neighborhoods you don’t know. There are tour operators offering favela tours, but they can’t always guarantee your safety, so go at your own risk.
- Don’t take all of your credit cards and cash with you. Leave some at your hotel. If you face an armed robber, don’t resist. Hand over your money.
- Take Uber to get around. An alternative to Uber is 99, which is sometimes cheaper than Uber. Avoid flagging taxis from the street, especially unregistered ones.
- Learning some Portuguese is a good idea, as many people don’t speak English. Alternatively, download Google Translate on your phone and use it when speaking with locals.
- Don’t drink tap water in Rio de Janeiro, as your stomach might be unable to handle it. Tap water is not safe, especially for tourists who are not used to the pathogens in the local water. You can get stomach poisoning. Buy bottled water instead.
- Find an Airbnb. If you’re looking for a cheaper area to stay in, find Airbnbs that are further out from the beach. You can still take an Uber to the beach at any time.
- Know the transportation methods. A common way to get around the hilly areas of Rio de Janeiro is to take motorcycle taxis, which usually congregate at the bottom of hills and take passengers up. They are more common around favelas, as favelas are typically on hills, but safe areas have them too. Note that while they are cheap and convenient, they are not 100 percent safe.
- Get travel insurance. Before traveling to Rio, take out a travel insurance policy that will cover not only medical expenses but also insure you against theft.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you still have questions about visiting Rio de Janeiro? Here are answers to some of the most common questions we see from readers.
What is the rainiest month in Rio de Janeiro?
December tends to be the rainiest month in Rio, as it’s the heart of the rainy season. It’s also the hottest month. However, that doesn’t stop people from visiting. It won’t rain every day, and it won’t rain the whole day, so you’ll still have time to enjoy the beaches.
How many days should I spend in Rio?
We recommend staying a minimum of three days in Rio de Janeiro, as that allows you to explore the beaches on day one, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Botanical Gardens on day two, and other attractions, like Christ the Redeemer and the colorful Selaron steps, on day three. If you can add another day or two, you certainly won’t regret it – you can even add a favela tour.
Is São Paulo or Rio better to visit?
São Paulo is enjoyable, but Rio is a clear choice if you have to choose between the two. São Paulo is mostly a concrete metropolitan city, and while it has excellent nightlife, it has few attractions and no beaches. Not only is the water chiller (even during the summer, such as in December), but the people are less friendly and more focused on work and school.
Is English widely spoken in Rio?
No. Attendants at the most famous tourist attractions, such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, generally speak at least basic English and Spanish (due to the influx of tourists from other Latin American countries). However, most Brazilians don’t speak English, although you may be able to get by with Spanish, as the two languages are similar.
What is the safest area to stay in Rio de Janeiro?
Copacabana and Ipanema are the two top areas to stay in, although Leblon is lovely as well. These areas feature luxury hotels, have police patrols, and provide access to beaches and transportation. You can get around with Uber; avoid walking alone in dark areas at night, as the risk of muggings is always present.
So, When Is the Best Time to Visit Rio de Janeiro?
The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is between April to June and once again between September to late November. During those times, you’ll enjoy the best weather while avoiding crowds.
It will also be cheaper. If you want to see the Carnaval, though, you’ll have to brave the crowds and high prices. However, regardless of the time you visit, you’ll be welcomed by friendly locals, amazing food, and breathtaking scenery. Happy travels!