Season guide · Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
Rio de Janeiro in spring
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Quick answer
Rising temperatures, more rain from October and moderate prices before the summer rush. Expect highs up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 26 rainy days across September–November. September–October are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 19°C (66°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 26
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 25°C (77°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 | 12 h | 2/5 |
| October | 26°C (79°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 9 | 12.7 h | 3/5 |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 | 13.3 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 26°C (79°F) against a yearly 27°C (81°F), and 26 of the year's roughly 101 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Rock in Rio — large music festival held in some years (usually September)
- October: Festival do Rio — international film festival (usually October)
- November: Black Consciousness Day — public holiday (20 November)
Good choices for spring
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
Museum · Praça Mauá
Museum of Tomorrow
Santiago Calatrava's white, ribbed building juts into Guanabara Bay at the end of the redeveloped port, and inside an interactive science museum explores climate, population and the planet's future.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Photo spot
Gallery · Praça Mauá
Museu de Arte do Rio (MAR)
Take the lift to the rooftop terrace first, then work down through the galleries.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
Aquarium · Gamboa
AquaRio
Billed as the largest marine aquarium in South America when it opened in 2016, AquaRio holds sharks, rays and Brazilian coastal species in tanks that include a walk-through tunnel.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Architecture · Centro
Real Gabinete Português de Leitura
Look around quietly, as people are reading, and combine it with Confeitaria Colombo and the Theatro Municipal on a Centro walk.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Day trips in spring
- Arraial do Cabo (About 2.5–3 hours by bus or transfer) — Cold currents keep the water off Arraial do Cabo unusually clear and turquoise, making it one of Brazil's best-known spots for boat trips and diving.
- Ilha Grande (About 3 hours by road and boat) — A car-free island of Atlantic rainforest and beaches, with the village of Abraão as its hub and Lopes Mendes beach a hike or boat ride away.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
Yes: September–October are among the best months. Rising temperatures, more rain from October and moderate prices before the summer rush.
+What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in spring?
Highs of up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 26 rainy days over the season.