Season guide · Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
Rio de Janeiro in autumn
April–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: [www.flickr.com/photos/26912057@N02/ bisonlux], CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Warm, drier and less humid, with comfortable hiking weather, clear views and fewer visitors. Expect highs up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 16 rainy days across April–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- April–May
- Temperatures
- 20°C (68°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 16
- Sea
- 24°C (75°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 28°C (82°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 9 | 11.6 h | 3/5 |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 7 | 11 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 27°C (81°F), and 16 of the year's roughly 101 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- April: Easter holidays (March or April)
- April: Tiradentes Day — public holiday (21 April)
Make the most of the weather
Beach · Copacabana
Copacabana Beach
Walk the promenade early in the morning when locals jog and play footvolley, and leave valuables at your hotel.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Beach · Ipanema
Ipanema Beach
Ipanema's beach is divided by numbered lifeguard posts, each with its own crowd: surfers near Arpoador, a young scene around Posto 9 and the rainbow flags of the LGBTQ+ stretch facing Rua Farme de Amoedo.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Ipanema
Arpoador Rock
Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset in summer to find a spot on the rock, and watch your footing on the way down after dark.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa and the bonde tram
The yellow bonde tram climbs from its station near Carioca in Centro across the top of the Lapa Arches and up into Santa Teresa's cobbled streets.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Couples
- Art
Nature · Tijuca Forest
Tijuca National Park
Hire a local guide for longer hikes such as Pedra da Gávea, carry plenty of water and stick to well-used trails.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
- Free
Day trips in autumn
- Niterói and the MAC (About 20 minutes by ferry, then a short ride) — Oscar Niemeyer's flying-saucer Contemporary Art Museum (MAC) perches on a cliff with views back across Guanabara Bay to Sugarloaf and Corcovado.
- Búzios (About 2.5–3 hours by bus or transfer) — A former fishing village on a peninsula with more than 20 beaches, Búzios is known for the restaurants and boutiques of Rua das Pedras and the calm bays of Ferradura and João Fernandes.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Warm, drier and less humid, with comfortable hiking weather, clear views and fewer visitors.
+What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in autumn?
Highs of up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 20°C (68°F), with about 16 rainy days over the season.