Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
January
New Year and summer season — spectacular city energy but 264mm of rain and peak prices.
Worth considering
#12 of 12 months
There are better months for Rio de Janeiro — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
30.9°C
Low
23.7°C
Rain
264mm
Sun
5.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How January scores in Rio de Janeiro
Weather
Below average
Value
Average
Crowds
Below average
Events
Outstanding
Atmosphere
Excellent
What you gain in January
- ↑New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach: 2–3 million people in white for one of the world's great celebrations
- ↑Summer beach culture in full swing: Ipanema and Leblon at their most vibrant
- ↑Carnival preparations building — the city already feels festive
What you sacrifice
- ↓264mm of rain: tropical downpours most afternoons, sometimes lasting hours
- ↓Peak summer prices: hotels 50–70% above shoulder season
- ↓Heat-humidity combination (31°C, 77%) makes intensive sightseeing exhausting
How January compares to June (best month)
| Factor | January | June ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 9 |
| Value | 4 | 8 |
| Crowds | 3 | 9 |
January 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 →