Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
December
Festival season begins — spectacular city energy, 246mm of rain, and prices approaching Carnival level.
Worth considering
#10 of 12 months
There are better months for Rio de Janeiro — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
29.5°C
Low
22.7°C
Rain
246mm
Sun
5.2hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Rio de Janeiro
Weather
Average
Value
Average
Crowds
Below average
Events
Excellent
Atmosphere
Outstanding
What you gain in December
- ↑New Year's Eve is approaching: the city building toward the Copacabana celebration
- ↑Summer beach culture at full capacity: the best Ipanema nights begin in December
- ↑Christmas in Rio has a genuinely tropical atmosphere — beach barbecues and outdoor parties
What you sacrifice
- ↓246mm: very heavy summer rain — afternoon plans must be flexible
- ↓Prices rising steeply toward New Year and Carnival: book early or pay significantly more
- ↓30°C+ with 77% humidity: outdoor sightseeing best confined to morning hours
How December compares to June (best month)
| Factor | December | June ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 4 | 9 |
| Value | 4 | 8 |
| Crowds | 3 | 9 |
December in other destinations
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Rio de Janeiro, not across destinations. Methodology →