Month guide · Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
Rio de Janeiro in August
What August is really like in Rio de Janeiro: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
August is one of the best months to visit Rio de Janeiro. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 18°C (64°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 11.3 hours of daylight. Dry and sunny, with occasional cold fronts that bring a few grey, cooler days; good hiking weather in Tijuca.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 18°C (64°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 22°C (72°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 8th-warmest month in Rio de Janeiro: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 27°C (81°F), and nights fall to about 18°C (64°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with July (25°C (77°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:18
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 17:37
- Daylight
- About 11.3 hours
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F)
Spring (September–November). Rising temperatures, more rain from October and moderate prices before the summer rush.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Rio de Janeiro, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Architecture · Centro
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
Behind a Neo-Manueline façade on Rua Luís de Camões, this 1880s reading room rises through three tiers of carved wooden bookcases under a stained-glass skylight.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Experience · Centro
Confeitaria Colombo
Come mid-morning on a weekday to avoid the lunchtime queue, and order a coffee and a pastry at the counter.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Architecture · Centro
Theatro Municipal
Rio's opera house, opened in 1909 on Praça Floriano and inspired by the Paris Opéra, has a gilded foyer, marble staircases and an auditorium decorated by the painter Eliseu Visconti.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
- After dark
Religious site · Centro
Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
Visit around midday or early afternoon when the light through the windows is strongest, then walk on to the Lapa Arches nearby.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
- Rainy day
The sea averages 22°C (72°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Rio de Janeiro.
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 18°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
One of the best months to visit Rio de Janeiro. The other best months are April–June and September–October. Compare every month.
Rio de Janeiro in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
It is one of the best months to visit Rio de Janeiro. Dry and sunny, with occasional cold fronts that bring a few grey, cooler days; good hiking weather in Tijuca.
+How warm is Rio de Janeiro in August?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in August?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.